Synthetic Steroids

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.

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.

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

They are abused by both athletes and non-athletes in an attempt to “enhance performance and/or physical appearance” (“NIDA InfoFacts: Steroids (Anabolic-Androgenic)”, 2009). Steroids, typically taken orally or by injection, are used in “cycles” where a user takes steroids for a period of time, then stops for another length of time and then the pattern continues. Steroids are considered very dangerous, fickle substances that have the potential to mess up the user’s bodily functions if care is not taken while on them.

     Anabolic-androgenic steroids are synthetic substances which increase skeletal muscle growth and increase male hormone production. Steroids are legal only through prescription. They are often prescribed

Aside from the people that are prescribed these substances for medical reasons anabolics are abused by people who are looking to change their physical health, appearance or even performance. Firstly the common users that use steroids include. Body builders looking to gain muscle, Athletes

Steroids are laboratory-made versions of the human hormone testosterone, which aids growth of muscles, bones and skin. Testosterone is primarily a male hormone, though females produce trace amounts. Doctors, for medical uses, may legally prescribe steroids. Steroids for muscle building are obtained illegally; they are produced overseas or in clandestine laboratories in the U.S. For all the health risks, research shows steroids do work when it comes to building muscle and power.

In Canada and Australia, Anabolic Steroids are not illegal, but are highly discouraged. (Rogak 613.8)

Want to get bigger, stronger, and faster in less than 3 months? Anabolic steroids may be the answer. Anabolic steroids, which are a compound of hormones and chemicals used for growth, should be legalized in the United States for medical use, legalized in sporting events, and for use as civilians. Most anabolic steroids are lab grown, more potent versions of the male sex hormone, testosterone.

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

Steroids were originally synthetic testosterone in the 1930s where scientists gave it to those who couldn't produce it. Then, it was later used in World War II where they found out that they could use it to gain weight and and improved performance. Then later they were used in the Olympics, mainly in wrestling, and then a scientist named Dr. Zeigler made it an official drug called anabolic steroids. In 1975, the Olympics finally put a ban to the drug.

Anabolic steroids are used as performance-enhancing drugs to increase the ability to do work and exercise by stimulating muscle growth and power. This increase function comes with a cost of potentially life-threatening side effects. The complications of anabolic steroid abuse are a result of excess testosterone affecting almost all the organ systems in the body. Some of the effects are reversible and decrease when the drug abuse stops while other are permanent. Life-threatening side effects include heart attack and stroke, the risk of forming blood clots, liver cancer, and liver failure. The skin is often affected by excess steroid use and the issues are similar to the adolescent male going through puberty with its testosterone spike. Acne

Anabolic steroids have anabolic and androgenic effects in humans. The anabolic properties of anabolic steroids are responsible for the growth of muscles and tissues. The androgen side promotes masking effects such as deepening of the voice and increasing body and facial hair. The anabolic effects of steroids are what athletes and bodybuilders seek to avoid androgenic effects.

According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary anabolic steroids are any of a group of usually synthetic hormones that are derivatives of testosterone, are used medically specially to promote tissue growth, and are sometimes abused by athletes to increase the size and strength of their muscles and improve endurance. The main purpose of anabolic steroids is to gain strength and muscle very quickly and faster than any other drug enhancement. There are many types of models that relate to anabolic steroids. One model is high school athletes who use anabolic steroids and would mostly fall in the performance enhancer model category. Many may ask, what exactly are performance enhancement drugs? Performance enhancement drugs are substances used to improve any form of activity performance in humans. There are many experiments done on the use of anabolic steroids within high schools. According to the Huffington Post as of 2011, 13 percent of boys who play football in high school take anabolic steroids and that is just football players. All of these young athletes who take steroids use the drug to become stronger. An average of 8.8 percent of female high school athletes have also tried or currently use anabolic steroids. The crave to have a “buffed body” is a big trend for young adults. A study from the University of Michigan showed that in 1992, 72 percent of high school seniors believed that those using steroids “risked harming themselves” (Are Student Athletes Taking Steroids?). Just

In the past three decades, steroids has been becoming a serious problem more than ever in the athletic field. Steroids are anabolic drug "to build" growth hormones that include the androgens (male sex hormones) principally testosterone and estrogen and progestogens (female sex hormones). Steroids were first developed for medical purposes. They're used in controlling inflammation, strengthening weakened hearts, preventing conception, and alleviating symptoms of arthritis and asthma. Unfortunately research has shown that steroids have been abused in almost every kind of sport. Although steroids contribute to a muscular body, usage should remain illegal because they physically deteriorate and mentally destroy the body.