Summary: The Health Effects Of Anabolic Steroids

Long term heavy steroid use may cause damage to the heart, liver and kidneys. Heart problems are due to

You probably wonder what are the effects. So, ordinary effects include making pimples pop up and hair loss. Also, they can make guys grow breasts and women to grow beards (Anabolic). Steroids can give you really big problems in your body. For example, the liver can grow tumors and develop cancer (Anabolic). Also, steroid abusers can develop a rare condition called Peliosis Hepatis, in which the blood filled cysts crop up on the liver. Lastly, both tumors and cysts can rupture and cause internal bleeding (Anabolic).

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

Users have different reasons for doping and, subsequently, steroids have different health consequences. Some common side effects from steroid use are the following: acne, genital changes, water retention, yellowing of the eyes and skin; women may experience: male-pattern baldness, decreased breast size, deeper voices, hairy bodies, and menstrual irregularities; men may experience: reduced sperm production, shrinking of the testicles, impotence, difficulty or pain in urinating, baldness, and irreversible breast enlargement. But these are just minor setbacks right? One could say that, like those aren’t bad, but researchers have also linked steroid abuse to much more serious risks such as: fatal liver cysts, liver cancer, blood clotting, cholesterol changes, hypertension, stroke, and even heart attack. Despite all these potential problems, many still choose to take steroids.

Anabolic steroids are taken by tablet, injection, and also by pads on the skin. Even with the possible benefits that steroids could possibly have there are many many more dangers. Some of these include deep depression, aggression, and bad nervousness. Some physical dangers include high blood pressure, liver disorders, and even going bald. The athlete that makes the poor decision to use steroids, also faces the danger of getting caught and being suspended or even banned from the professional sport of which they

Steroids have a long-term, negative effect on the human body. These effects range from cardiovascular problems to mental and psychological issues such as rage and anger problems. Steroid use has been linked to increased alcohol consumption, marijuana use, cigarette smoking, and narcotic use (Buckman, Farris & Yusko, 2013). Many athletes may not be aware of the lasting effects steroids can have because all they are worried about is their performance, not their health.

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

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.

More than one million Americans have abused illegal anabolic steroids. Steroids can be taken in four ways, by mouth, injection, nasal sprays, and by skin creams or patches. Steroids increase risk of infection. Sharing needles or using dirty needles or inject steroids creates a risk for diseases such as HIV, AIDS, and hepatitis. Steroid related fatalities occur as a result of suicide, homicide, liver disease, heart attack, and cancer.

Unfortunately, the use of steroids can easily lead to many major health problems. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse “Steroids abuse may lead to serious, even irreversible, health problems. Some of the most dangerous consequences…kidney impairment or failure; damage to the liver; and cardiovascular problems…leading to an increased risk of stroke and heart attack (even in young people)” (NIH). Steroids can affect an athlete by increasing the heart rate and decreasing the stamina, a fact that can lead to heart failure. Steroids can also affect the body with acne, abdominal pains, insomnia, and anaphylactic shock. When men use steroids the consequences are more crucial than women. For example, men may experience falling sperm count, shrinking testicles, and increased risk of fertility. On the other hand, women may show signs of masculinity (male type musculature) but also an increased risk of certain illnesses such as breast cancer. In general, steroids affect both of women and men by leading to terrible health problems. Dr. Larry Creswell, a well-known heart surgeon who studied the abuse of steroids, estimates that approximately 3 million Americans use steroids and he supports that the 70% of the athletes in the bodybuilding area, are steroid users. In addition, it is well known that steroids can also cause sudden deaths, sometimes in young athletes but most often occur within the ages of 35-50. In addition, Dr. Dickerman, a professor in the department of

There are many health hazards for both men and women who take steroids. Male side effects of taking steroids include shrinking of the testicles and breast development. For females, the risks include growth of body and facial hair, development of deeper voices, and changes in the menstrual cycle. Overall risks of steroids are tumors to the liver and kidneys, cancer, and high blood pressure, all of which can cause death (NIDA).

One of the best reasons not to do anabolic steroids is because they affect the brain, which controls a person's entire body. As stated in dopinglinkki.fi, anabolic steroids cause long-standing changes in the brain. They are found to affect the central nervous system and affect the brain where it is closely linked to centres that regulate mood, sexuality and aggression. Anabolic steroids may cause a person to become psychotic and as an athlete, their head needs to be on straight to accomplish their goal. With brain effects, there are also long/short term effects of anabolic steroids.

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

Abusing anabolic steroids can become responsible for life-threatening liver and heart conditions, such as liver cancer or liver disease and high blood pressure, swelling of the heart, and elevated cholesterol. Even though steroids affect everyone somehow, their effects on men and women are widely opposite. The risks men take by using steroids are shrinkage of the testicles, breast development, risks of prostate cancer, and lower sperm count. On the other hand, women will experience shrinkage of breasts, male type body hair, deepened voice, and abnormal menstrual cycles. Adolescents can also be affected by this steroid, resulting is permanent stunt growth. Lastly, steroids can become a gateway for sexually transmitted diseases, such as HIV or AIDS, to become exposed to the user from the needles used to eject the drug into the

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.