Overview:
Steroids are synthetic substances similar to the male sex hormone testosterone. Some athletes, weightlifters, and bodybuilders take them to improve their physical performance, build their bodies, and increase muscle mass. However, these substances are addictive, and can cause many side effects.
Side effects of steroids:
Taking them regularly can cause physical and psychological changes in men and women, as well as potentially serious medical conditions.
Physical effects:
Anabolic steroid effects on men can include:
- Low sperm count
- Infertility
- Testicular atrophy (shrinkage of the testicles)
- Sexual impotence
- Baldness
- Development of breasts
- Increased risk of prostate cancer
- Severe acne
- Stomach ache
Effects of steroids on women:
- Growth of facial hair or excess body hair
- Decreased breast size
- Enlarged clitoris
- Deepened voice
- Changes in or stop in the menstrual cycle
- Male-pattern baldness
- Severe acne
Anabolic steroid misuse might lead to severe health problems, such as:
- Heart attack or stroke
- kidney and liver problems or failure
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
- Blood clotting
- Fluid retention
- Changes in blood cholesterol
Misuse of anabolic steroids might lead to negative mental effects, such as:
- Extreme irritability and aggression
- Mood swings
- Paranoia
- Mania
- Delusions: false beliefs or ideas
Stunted growth in teenagers:
Anabolic steroids can cause fast bone growth, so if misused by teenagers before their growth spurt (puberty), they can stop bone growth and cause an overall stunted growth.
Sharing injection needles:
Because anabolic steroids are often injected, there are risks associated with sharing needles, and they are similar to the risks that come with drug use, including:
- Veins damage, which leads to ulcers or gangrene
- Hepatitis B
- Hepatitis C
- AIDS
Addiction:
Anabolic steroids can be addictive, causing a person to crave for more to get the same effect. People who misuse steroids might experience withdrawal symptoms when they stop their use, including:
- Depression and carelessness
- Restlessness and anxiety
- Difficulty concentrating
- Insomnia
- Loss of appetite
- Decreased sex drive
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Muscle and joint pain
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