Any type of artificial substance that an athlete takes can be considered as a Performance Enhancing Drug. There are several different classes and each one has a unique effects and side effects. Some of the classes Performance Enhancing Drugs that are commonly used are: lean mass builders, stimulants, painkillers, sedatives, diuretics, boosters, and masking drugs (Wikipedia). Within each of these types of P.E.D.’s there are different drugs.
Some may wonder what these classes are. Lean Mass Builders drive or amplify the growth of muscle and lean body mass. This can also reduce body fat and the time that an athlete takes to recover from an injury. Some types of lean mass builders are anabolic steroids, xenoandrogens, beta-2 agonists,
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Now you may understand why these drugs are considered Performance Enhancing drugs. Each drug takes a different effect to help the athlete preform in a way that is better than their abilities. Some side affects for men who take anabolic steroids may be: developing breasts, having a decrease in sperm count, they may become infertile or become incompetent. Some of the effects on anabolic steroids for women are: growing excessive face and body hair, their voices may deepen, they may experience menstrual irregularities, reduced breast size, or have a masculinized female fetus. Also some of the effects that can happen on any man or women are: getting acne, have oily scalp and skin, jaundice, become bald, have heart attacks, develop significant risk of liver disease, have high levels of bad cholesterol, have mood swings, or suffer delusions (DeNoon). These are only a few of the bad effects of taking an anabolic steroid.
What is the difference between an anabolic steroid and a corticosteroid? An anabolic steroid is a synthetic steroid hormone that resembles testosterone in promoting the growth of muscle. Such hormones are used medicinally to treat some forms of weight loss and (illegally) by some athletes and others to enhance physical performance. Whereas a corticosteroid is any of a group of steroid hormones produced in the adrenal cortex or made synthetically. There are two kinds: glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids. They have various
Later it was discovered that anabolic steroids could facilitate the growth of skeletal muscle which led to abuse by bodybuilders, weightlifters, and athletes in other sports. Abuse of anabolic steroids can cause acne, breast development in men, heart attacks, and liver cancer. Most side effects are reversible if the abuser stops taking the drugs, but some are permanent, such as voice deepening in females. Possible health consequences for men are infertility, shrinking of the testicles, and male-pattern baldness while with women enlargement of the clitoris, and excessive growth of body hair can happen. It can affect the musculoskeletal & cardiovascular system, liver, skin, cause infection, and have psychiatric effects such as rage, aggression, mania, and delusions. Treatment of anabolic steroid abuse uses medications to restore the hormonal system after its disruption, and medication to target specific withdrawal symptoms.
The effects on men is larger breasts, smaller testicles and a lower sperm count. The effects for male and female are acne, hairless, upset stomach, mood swings, difficulty urinating and rapid weight gain. He worst kind of effects happens when over abuse theses steroids, this can cause changes in your blood, liver, kidneys and heart. It may even cause some type of cancers (Scot 47, 97). If young adults take steroids it can stunt their growth. Once you stop taking steroids in a few months you will lose all of your muscle mass and withdrawal of steroids can cause sever depression. ( lukas “big on drugs”). One effect of steroids that people don’t usually want is good in sports. Steroids increase aggression and hostile behavior. They say it helps them get pumped for the game (Scot
According to DrugFacts.gov, Common long-term effects of anabolic steroids are kidney failure, liver damage, enlarged heart, high blood pressure, and changes in blood cholesterol, which increase the risk of stroke and heart attack. They also have effects specifically for men, women, and teens. For men, they cause shrinking testicles, decreased sperm count, baldness, development of breasts, increased risk for prostate cancer. Long-term effects in women include the growth of facial hair or excess body hair, male-pattern baldness, changes in or stop in the menstrual cycle, enlarged clitoris, deepened voice. For teens, it may stunt growth and
Some side effects that men are susceptible to are acne, aggression gynecomastia, the growth of female breast tissue, stunted growth in teens, loss of fertility, and baldness. Some of the side effects that women are susceptible to are male pattern baldness, deepening of the voice, male pattern hair growth on the face and chest, and breast cancer. but the worse side effects are the ones that happen on the inside. Anabolic steroids are extremely hard on the internal organs of both men and women. Internal side effects could be liver disease/turmeric,high cholesterol,heart disease heart attack and strokes. They can also cause kidney failure and failure of the liver.(McVeigh, Jim)
The mental effects that steroids have for both males and females are as follows: paranoia, delusions, bad decision making, and irritability. The physical effects steroids can have in males are: shrinkage of testicles, decrease in sperm count, and development of breasts. For females, the effects of steroids are: voice deepening, clitoral enlargement, breast size shrinkage, hair growth where most men get hair, and menstrual irregularity.
The negative effects of these drugs range far and many. For men the effects are much worse. For instance there is increased irritability and aggressiveness also called "roid rages". Then comes the Acne, due to the stimulation of the oil glands in the skin. You can also start developing premature hair loss and a bloated appearance from excess salt and water being retained by the body. The last effect is due to the effect of steroids on the testicles. The brain monitors the amount of testosterone in the body, if it detects a large amount (due to steroids) it will stop the testicles producing more and so less sperm is produced and impotence may occur, which also may result in a decreased sex drive. Apart from the hair loss, the above effects are generally reversible upon stopping steroid use. Adolescent steroid use may lead to a premature fusion of the epiphyses (the end of growing bones) which can lead to stunted growth.(Paterson pg 102)
Steroids are hormones that have long lasting side effects on our bodies. Steroids increase cholesterol, blood clots and strokes. Steroids can also cause baldness, and the shrinking of testicles. There have also been cases where steroids have taken the lives of athletes through suicide.
Steroids come with three different types of risks/side effects that include: mental health, addictive potential and physical dangers. Steroids have immediate effects on the brain of a user as soon as they begin taking them. As soon as steroids are introduced into the user’s system, they “[bind to the] androgen (male sex hormone) and estrogen (female sex hormone) receptors on the surface of a cell.” Studies have suggested that “steroids may contribute to psychiatric dysfunction, paranoid jealousy, extreme irritability, delusions, and impaired judgment stemming from feelings of invincibility” (“NIDA InfoFacts: Steroids (Anabolic-Androgenic)”, 2009). These mental side effects also contribute to the growing narcissistic nature of steroid users, where they feel invincible, that no one is better than them, or
Anabolic steroids come with serious physical risk to both men and women. Men and women develop different side effects from each other such as,
However, like most things in this world, if there is a positive side to an issue, there is usually a negative lingering in the shadows. When taking performance-enhancing drugs, the user will receive great rewards, but at high risks. There are major mental and physical risks involved when taking a performance-enhancing drug, especially anabolic steroids. According to the Mayo clinical staff, “Men may develop breasts, shrunken testicles, and infertility. Women may develop a deeper voice, an enlarged clitoris, and increased body hair. Both might experience rage, severe acne, infections, and other health issues,” (Clincal Staff, Mayo). It is evident that there are high risks when taking a performance-enhancing drug. These risks come in various forms, from being mild to
B. With the use of Steroids for men, the effects can be quite scary. WebMD.com states “Men who take anabolic steroids may: Develop breasts, Get painful erections, Have their testicles shrink, and have decreased sperm count.
The health risks that come along with using performance enhancing drugs are one reason why they should be illegal. Along with them being very dangerous, the health effects are also not very good on the body. “Diuretics are drugs that change your body 's natural balance of fluids and salts (electrolytes) and can lead to dehydration” (mayo clinic). Some athletes use stimulants to arouse the central nervous system and increase heart rate and blood pressure. “Stimulants can: improve endurance, reduce fatigue, suppress appetite and Increase alertness and aggressiveness” (mayo clinic) Stimulants have side effects that can weaken athletic performance which make it hard to concentrate in whatever sport you may play.
Performance enhancing drugs, or steroids, are defined as substances used to improve physical performance. There are many types of steroidal performance enhancers. The first of these performance enhancing drugs are anabolic steroids. Anabolic steroids are also known as androgen steroids, and they are used to increase the muscle mass and strength of a person. A natural anabolic steroid is testosterone, which your body naturally produces. Some athletes take straight testosterone which is another way to boost your athletic performance. This has the same effect as anabolic steroids, but it is natural and can be found within the body. Anabolic steroids are so effective and appealing to athletes, because they allow athletes to recover faster from a
According to Brower, withdrawal symptoms might be developed in the individuals who stop taking anabolic steroids after they have taken excessive amount of anabolic steroids over sustained period. The symptoms included mood swings, insomnia, depressed mood, reduced libido, anorexia, weight loss, and even suicidal thoughts. Despite of these behavioral changes, others common adverse effects of anabolic steroids are liver failure, endocrine dysfunction, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, atherosclerosis, and difficulties in blood clotting. For men, they may experience gynecomastia (breast development and enlargement), reduced fertility, shrunken testes, decreasing in sperm amount, decreased production of testosterone, development of prostate cancer due to the enlargement of the gland, and baldness, and masculinization in women and children. In women, excessive anabolic steroids will lead to breast reduction, swollen clitoris, masculinization, deepen voice, growth of body and facial hair, menstrual disruption and also increased risk of birth defects.
“Some athletes take a form of steroids — known as anabolic-androgen steroids or just anabolic steroids — to increase their muscle mass and strength. The main anabolic steroid hormone produced by your body is testosterone. Testosterone has many risks some of them are Anabolic effects promote muscle building. Androgenic effects male traits, such as facial hair and a deeper voice. Men get some major risks from taking this type of drug like some are prominent breasts Baldness, Shrunken testicles, Infertility, and Impotence.”(Mayo Clinic)