Effects of Steroids

Anabolic steroids are synthetic substances that are based on mimicking male sex hormones, which are known as androgens. They are produced to act like testosterone, the male hormone.  Scientists have created over 100 different anabolic steroids that are used to enhance performance for athletes or bodybuilders.

Side Effects of Steroids:

There are many steroids side effects especially if they are misused or abused. Steroids are mainly used to enhance ones performance, if this is in the gym or if it is for bodybuilding competitions. Steroids today are illegal though and can lead to prosecution if found manufacturing or distributing steroids. 

Side Effects in Adolescents:

It has been consistently shown that adolescents who abuse steroids at a higher risk of suffering effects that are irreversible. These include accelerated puberty changes and abnormal sexual development. For example Andreas Krieger, born as Heidi Krieger who stunned the world with her continuous winning streak in East Germany for shot put now looks at his medals and claims they are “doping medals.” He stated that his coaches fed him so many steroids from a young age that he began to suffer from emotional as well as physical difficulties. Heidi’s coaches claimed to be giving her vitamins but instead they were giving her Oral-Turinabol anabolic steroids.  Andreas is now married and lives the life that he wants to and does not want to be seen as a victim. He is not deterred to let everyone know the dangers of steroids as well as to share his story of pain, anger, confusion but which today  is a happy ending for himself. Other side effects that adolescents girls will suffer include severe acne, body and facial hair that is excessive, a deepened voice, menstrual problems, infertility, enlargement of clitoris.

Side Effects in Post-Adolescent Users:

Side effects from steroidal use that older men and women, post adolescent, will suffer include roid rage. However, it has been found that aggression does vary depending on the individual person and if they are prone to rage or are generally aggressive people. Water retention, which is known as Endema causes swelling in the knees, feet, wrists as well as ankles.  Acne is a very common side effect of steroid use and can develop into a serious condition if not treated. There are many guidelines that one can adhere to if trying to prevent or treat acne when on steroids. Acne does cause great distress to anyone but when in the gym with not shirt on it can lead to much embarrassment and is a sign that someone is on steroids.

There are also long term effects with steroidal use. Cardio-vascular problems can be a result of steroid use. Prostate cancer has been known to develop in younger men who take steroids.  Liver problems are a main concern of steroid use and if this occurs steroids have to be stopped so the problem does not worsen. There is also a chance that steroidal use affect blood pressure causing it to become high causing hypertension. Gynecomastia is a serious side effect of steroids. This is when steroids cause the development of breast tissue in males causing a man to develop breasts.

The Benefits of Steroids:

It is well known that steroid use increases muscle strength. Rogerson and colleagues 2007 looked at the use of testosterone enanthate. The rationale for this is that testosterone enanthate has been shown to increase muscle strength in a 6-12 week administration. Testosterone enanthate is banned from the World Anti-Doping Agency and it has been claimed that it is the most used and misused steroid today. The findings from this study showed that this form of testosterone showed to increase cycling performance as well as bench press strength as opposed to the placebo group. 

As well as muscle size and strength being increased by steroids it is also known that steroids have an effect on bone density. The reasons for this is that steroids increase the retention of calcium and the more calcium retained and utilized the thicker and stronger the bones will become.

There are many effects of steroids both good and bad. Today steroids are illegal and are banned in all sporting games. The UK laws 2012 does allow a person to possess steroids legally but makes it illegal for the manufacturing and distributing of steroids.

References:

Rogerson, S., Weatherby, R., P, Deakin, G., B, Meir R., A, Couttis, R., A, Zhou, S, Marshall-Gradisnik, S., M, 2007. Effect of short term use of testosterone enanthate on muscular strength and power in healthy young men. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 21(2), 354-61.