Side Effects in Men:
reduced sperm count
infertility
shrunken testicles
erectile dysfunction
baldness
breast development
increased risk of developing prostate cancer
severe acne
stomach pain
Side Effects in Women:
facial hair growth and body hair
loss of breasts
swelling of the clitoris
a deepened voice
an increased sex drive
problems with periods
hair loss
severe acne
Side Effects for Both Genders:
heart attack or stroke
liver or kidney tumors
high blood pressure (hypertension)
blood clots
fluid retention
high cholesterol
a. Some anabolic steroids mimic the effects of testosterone (i.e., androgenic) whereas others act as estrogens (i.e., estrogenic). What are the major differences in side effects between these two classes of drugs?
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This is supported by these quotes: "Many of you may or may not be aware, but high estrogen levels cause you to store more fat, which is obviously not healthy. However, diets that are high in saturated fats, especially on steroid cycles, can play havoc with your Testosterone to estrogen ratio... The excess estrogen is trying to turn your body into a female. This can cause an increase in breast tissue in a male, as well as other feminine properties." (Evolutionary.com), "Changes that can be reversed include reduced sperm production and shrinking of the testicles (testicular atrophy)." (NIH), and " In women, anabolic steroids can cause: facial hair growth and body hair, loss of breasts, swelling of the clitoris, and a deepened voice." (NHS
Anabolic Steroids Bible. 2005. Steroids Side Effects. [online] Available at: http://www.anabolic-bible.org/showpage.aspx?callpage=side_effects [Accessed 13 November 2013].
Another effect from steroid use is health problems. They are high blood pressure and heart disease, liver damage and cancer, kidney and prostate problems and increased risk of ruptured tendons… acne and hair loss, as well as gender-specific problems: atrophy of the testicles, reduced sperm count and the growth of breasts in men; the growth of body hair, deeper voice and menstrual problems in women… altered moods, depression and "roid rage", hallucinations, paranoia and anxiety. In adolescents, they can stunt growth by signaling the body
In Jarred R. Tynes study of Performance Enhancing drugs in Major League Baseball in a 2006 issue of The Journal of Legal Medicine, “some physiological side effects include decreased sperm production, enlargement of breast
III. The effects of steroids are quite common with every single user; they can differ though from men to women, both good and bad.
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.
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
For example, steroid abuse can cause mood swings, fatigue, loss of appetite, restlessness, insomnia, reduced sex drive, jaundice, and steroid cravings that lead to its continued abuse (National Institute on Drug Abuse). For men specifically, continued steroid use leads to "shrinking of the testicles, reduced sperm count, infertility, baldness, development of breasts, [and] increased risk for prostate cancer" (National Institute on Drug Abuse). For women, continued use leads to "growth of facial hair, male pattern baldness, changes in or cessation of the menstrual cycle, enlargement of the clitoris, [and] deepened voice" (National Institute on Drug Abuse). In addition to the aforementioned effects, stunted growth and premature puberty have been widely reported in adolescents (Zundel).
Steroids can affect an athlete’s physical health. Developing breasts from steroid use is very common. Breasts develop because when high doses of steroids are used for prolonged periods, they shut down certain hormones such as testosterone. Studies show that estrogen is what causes breast tissue growth; progesterone needs to be available in order to keep breast size down. Shrunken testicles can also occur because when a person uses steroids, they introduce a new hormone from outside their body at higher levels than their body can produce. The body signals itself to slow down making its own hormones because there is already enough to make the body operate correctly. This leads to smaller testicles while on a steroid cycle. Along with testicles getting smaller, your sperm count can be dropped a long way! This is called oligospermia. “Your sperm count is considered lower than normal if you have fewer than 15 million sperm per milliliter of semen.”(Myoclonic)Low sperm count lowers the chance of him being fertile enough to get a girl pregnant. Most men will recover their sperm production 3 to 12 months after they stop taking steroids. If you have taken steroids for more than two weeks, even if you then stop, your body may have a decremented ability to respond to physical stress - because your adrenal glands may not react as they should customarily. This effect can last as long as a year after steroid discontinuation. If you have a surgical procedure, develop an incipient solemn
Women have basically the same reaction to the drug as men do. After long periods of steroid use, a common reaction is the loss of the individuals hair along with the deepening of their voice, permanently. Along with these reactions, body hair and facial hair also start to grow and darken. According to Dr. Yealis, a professor of health and human development at Pennsylvania State University, and a leading expert in steroid use, "these drugs can change a women into a man in not very big doses at all (Mongale 12)." This is a very scary thought. Both males and females "stack" steroids. This means that they use multiple steroids at a time. The common perception among users is if you use a variety, then you take less of each one. They already take ten to a hundred times the recommended amount. In researching this topic, I found that many users do not seem to see themselves as addicted. According to a recent poll of 49 weight lifters, 28 would be considered addicted. Another study done by Robert J. Dimfell, Donald A. Malone and John Lombardo showed "of 163 weight lifters who worked out more than 6 hours a day, there were 88 abstainers, 31 current users, and 44 past users (Bower 11)." They reported that 18% of the past users and 13% of the current users reported that they had a dependency. Malon commented "We're not sure if current users are more likely to deny these problems (Brower 12)." The three researchers had a list of
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.
A: Some anabolic steroids are known as wet while others are known as dry. The easy way to remember the difference is wet steroids cause the body to retain water. Dry anabolic steroids don't as a rule cause bloating but can be very tough on the joints.
Anabolic-androgenic steroids are a group of hormones, which includes the natural male hormone, testosterone, and a number of synthetic compounds. "Anabolic" refers to muscle building, while "androgenic" refers to increased masculine characteristics. Anabolic effects are basically muscle growth. Androgenic effects produce secondary male sex characteristics like facial hair, body hair, deepening of the voice, and so on. In the 1950's scientists were trying to isolate the muscle building properties without the masculinizing effects. This lead to the development of synthetic anabolic steroids.
However, steroids should remain illegal because they physically deteriorate the whole body system. When injected one risks the chances of developing hematoma and contracting AIDS. In women steroids contribute to the growth of facial hair, enlargements of the clitoris, shrinkage of the uterus, sterility, deepening of the voice, decrease in breast size and irregularity of the menstrual cycle. In men steroids cause shrinkage of the testicles, decrease in sperm count, sterility, impotence, prostate enlargement and growth of female breast. In both men and women hair loss, liver ailments, acne, atherosierosis and cancer are very common. This dangerous drug shortens the life span up to twenty years and increases the chance of obtaining diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and hypertension. The side effects and reactions from enduring anabolic steroids are endless.
Define what a xenoestrogen is, give two examples of them, and explain why they are clinically significant to women’s health.
“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)