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Side Effects of Anabolic Steroids

Side Effects of Anabolic-Androgenic Steroids

Though there are legitimate uses for anabolic-androgenic steroids, such as for the treatment of certain types of anaemia and for men who don’t produce enough testosterone, they are never prescribed to young, healthy people to help them build muscles. So, without a prescription from a doctor, steroids are largely illegal.

 

Steroids are synthetic substances similar to the male sex hormone testosterone. “Anabolic” refers to muscle-building and “androgenic” refers to increased male sexual characteristics. Doctors also prescribe a different kind of steroid, called corticosteroids, to reduce swelling. Corticosteroids are not anabolic steroids and do not have the same harmful effects.

The effects on the human body of steroid use include an increase in lean muscle mass, strength, and the ability to train longer and harder. Though these might seem beneficial to the serious weight-lifter or athlete the possible, harmful side effects far outweigh the benefits.

 

The side effects include:

Hormone imbalances
When men or women or teenage boys or girls make use of anabolic steroids there is the potential side effect of hormone imbalances. For males this will be evident in symptoms such as shrunken testicles and reduced sperm count or possibly infertility, and even gynaecomastia which is the growth of breasts in males. In females ‘virilization’ or ‘masculinization’ occurs, the symptoms of which include reduced breast size, the growth of excessive body and facial hair, and the deepening of the voice. In teenagers the side effects of steroid use include stunted growth due to premature skeletal maturation if taken before or during the typical adolescent growth spurt, and accelerated puberty changes.

Kidney problems
The kidneys can undergo possible strain during anabolic steroid intake. Kidneys are involved in some of the filtration and excretion systems of the body, and as such, when a foreign substance is administered, they have to work harder. Some steroid users have noticed very dark urine when on a cycle, and this is indicative of the kidneys working overtime to accomplish their goal.

‘Roid rage’
Increased aggressiveness is often claimed to occur with anabolic steroid use. Although it is quite rare, significant psychiatric symptoms have been found in some steroid users, including aggression and increased violence, mania, and even psychosis.

Other potential side effects
•    premature balding or hair loss
•    dizziness
•    mood swings, including anger, aggression, and depression
•    believing things that aren't true (delusion)
•    extreme feelings of mistrust or fear (paranoia)
•    problems sleeping
•    nausea and vomiting
•    trembling
•    high blood pressure that can damage the heart or blood vessels over time
•    aching joints
•    greater chance of injuring muscles and tendons
•    jaundice or yellowing of the skin; liver damage
•    urinary problems
•    shortening of final adult height
•    increased risk of developing heart disease, stroke, and some types of cancer

 

In conclusion, steroids are controversial in the sports world because of the health risks associated with them and their unproven performance benefits. Most are illegal and are banned by professional sports organisations and medical associations. As seen in high-profile cases, if an athlete is caught using steroids, his or her career can be destroyed.

When it comes right down to it, harming your body or getting disqualified aren't the best ways to try to improve your performance. Being a professional athlete or weight-lifter means training the healthy way, eating the right foods, practicing, and strength training without the use of drugs.