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This article breaks the steroid side effects down, explaining how
steroids affect different body parts. Thinking about taking
steroids? Read this first.
The term steroids normally are associated with reference to a class of drugs that are
used to treat a variety of medical conditions. Steroids have several uses for medical
purposes, such as maintaining sexual characteristics in males following surgery for
removal of testes following testicular cancer, in adolescent males suffering with
malfunction of the pituitary gland, and following surgery and cancer that involves loss of
muscle tissue. These drugs are also used for supporting reproduction, regulation of the
metabolism and immune functions. Also used for increasing muscle mass, bone mass,
inflammation and other medical conditions.
Anabolic steroids or more precisely anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) are a class of
synthetic drugs that are designed to mimic the effects of the hormone testosterone.
Testosterone is derived in the body from cholesterol, and like other steroid hormones,
testosterone has its main effect on tissues. Testosterone enters a body cell and attaches
to a receptor which crosses into the cell nucleus where it activates the synthesis of
protein. Protein synthesis leads to tissue repair and growth. If we are able to increase
protein synthesis it would lead to quicker regeneration of the body, and to give faster
recovery from illness and injuries.
A steroid used in the treatment of medical conditions usually involves the use of only one
type of steroid and medical patients are closely monitored and the doses used are
approximately that which would be produced naturally by the human body. In the case of
steroid use in sports, people tend to take mega dosages sometimes 10-100 times the
dosage that would be administered for some medical conditions and often involving
more than one type at a time. Most steroid users, and especially novice users, get their
dosage instructions from the seller or from friends who take the drugs, more often
without any questions as to the drugs effects, or correct dosages. Many steroids
available on the black market are even of dubious quality and often only contain small
amounts of the drug. Some of these drugs have even been reported to contain only
water and a dye, or contain only normal peanut oil.
Looking at the body in more detail we can look at how steroids can affect each different
part of the body:
Brain:
Studies have shown a pattern between high testosterone levels and aggressive
behaviour, which is often seen as the users involved in violent acts. Often steroids have
been used as an excuse for a person’s aggressive behaviour. High dose users have also
been affected with psychotic syndromes and a high level of anxiety. Other effects that
appear are, sleep disturbances, feelings of euphoria, high levels of paranoia, various
stages of depression, with some users suffering extreme mood swings, and also
changes in their personality. A large number of users become dependant on steroid use
which then can lead to addiction.
Face:
Steroid use results in high levels of water retention (oedema) leading to the user
becoming “round faced” with puffy cheeks. In females reports have shown the effect of
a growth of facial hair quite common, bad breath is quite a common effect as is the voice
of females becoming husky by a deepening of the voice. Steroids also commonly affect
the skin of the face and body by causing acne.
Eyes:
Long term use of steroids can actually damage the eyes, resulting in eye infections,
cataracts or glaucoma.
Hair:
Male pattern baldness is common in both females and males due to the conversion of
high levels of testosterone into dihydrotestosterone or DHT, causing the hair follicles to
shrink, which only then produces very fine hair. Eventually with continued steroid use the
hair follicle dies leading to permanent baldness.
Heart:
This section the steroid user should be most concerned about, but normally choose to
ignore until a serious cardiovascular event happens. Steroid use causes heart disease
and becomes evident due to high increases in total cholesterol levels, causing a build up
of cholesterol on the walls of the blood vessels which can also lead to strokes. Also
shown is a decrease in the levels of the good cholesterol (HDL) and increase in the bad
cholesterol (LDL). Blood pressure is known to increase and blood clots in blood vessels
disrupting the blood flow causing damage to the heart muscle leading to heart attacks.
Stomach:
Normal signs of problems to the stomach from steroid use include feelings of being
bloated, a feeling of being nauseous leading to bouts of vomiting with blood sometimes
being evident in the vomit caused by irritation to the stomach lining and increased
stomach acids with a lower level of stomach mucus.
Kidneys:
The kidneys are important for the elimination of waste material from the blood and the
regulation of salt and water levels. Another important function of the kidneys is the
regulation of blood pressure; high blood pressure damages the blood vessels and
filtering system of the kidneys. The occurrence of kidney problems occurs mostly with
the use of oral steroids with a suppression of blood clotting factors leading to increased
blood clotting time following cuts or injury. The kidneys have to work harder with oral
steroid use due to increase requirements to filter the blood. Steroid users also normally
resort to ultra high protein intake, sometime far in excess of normal intake involved with
weight training which can lead to kidney stones. Kidney stones can block the opening of
the urinary tract leading to problems with urinary excretion. High blood pressure can
also cause problems to the kidneys by damaging the blood vessels by causing
thickening and narrowed blood vessels leading to a reduced blood supply and filtration.
Liver:
The liver, the largest organ of the body is used to filter harmful toxins from the blood and
for storage of certain nutrients like vitamins/minerals. It is also important for the
managing levels of chemicals such as proteins, cholesterol and sugars. The liver is also
used for the production of bile to aid in the digestion of food. Steroid use has been
shown to cause irreversible liver damage and cancers. Oral steroids are difficult for the
liver to metabolise leading to a decrease in the ability of the liver to clear waste products.
Some counterfeit steroids have been known to carry all kinds of bacteria and virus
leading to adverse liver function. Hepatocellular jaundice which is evident by a yellowing
of the skin and eyes, can be caused by an abnormal liver function as the liver cannot
effectively filter the blood.
Chest:
Breast development (Gynocomastia) from steroid use is a very common and an often
seen side effect of long term steroid cycles or high dose steroid use, causes a formation
of breast tissue which begins as visible lumps under the nipples that normally requires
surgical intervention. The breasts of female steroid users can actually shrink in size.
Bones:
Use of steroids by teenagers and males in their early twenties who have not yet ceased
growing can impair bone growth leading to being shorter in height in adulthood due to
premature closure of epiphyseal growth plates. Bone pain can also be a side effect of
steroid use.
Skin:
Steroid use can have an effect on the user’s skin by affecting the
skin pores and causing roughness in the skin texture. Other skin
conditions that are often seen are red blotchy, greasy skin with
acne on the face and back. Stretch marks can also appear due to
rapid growth of muscle or a thinning of the skin. As mentioned
above steroids affect the liver and a side effect is jaundice, this
becomes evident by a yellowing of the skin and eyes.
Oedema:
This means the appearance of being bloated and is caused by an accumulation of fluid
which is mostly seen as swollen ankles and fingers.
Prostrate gland:
The prostrate gland is specific to males and located just below the bladder, its main
functions are the production of prostatic fluid, a component of seminal fluid and are also
for maintaining sperm activity. Steroids are known to cause an enlargement of the
prostrate gland, and as the prostrate gland encircles the urethra any swelling of the
prostrate can cause interference in the urine flow. Males should be made aware that any
changes in the prostrate gland can also affect sexual activity. Other effects that can
happen are abnormal sperm and a decreased sperm count.
Blood Poisoning:
Many steroid users are often frightened to go to a needle exchange to obtain a supply of
sterile needles in case they are labelled addicts, often resulting in the use of, or sharing
of non sterile needles, which can cause blood poisoning with a higher risk of infection
and infectious diseases. The user’s injection site can also become swollen and tender
and can lead to abscesses which can then lead to the requirement of painful medical
intervention.
Impotence:
Taking steroids will cause the testes to decrease its normal function. When stopping the
testosterone supplementation it takes a while for the pituitary gland to signal the testes to
once again begin manufacturing testosterone. In long term or high dose testosterone
use the testes can actually cease production or can actually atrophy which can lead to a
long delay in the testes beginning manufacturing testosterone naturally. Impotence
occurs after the steroids cessation, and long term drug use causes lack of erections.
Quick Reference Image
From the side effects listed above we can see that steroid use suppresses the
production of normal bodily hormones. The body will attempt to adjust its own level of
hormones, but disrupting or increasing the body’s
natural hormones will cause disruptive changes to
the users own physical and mental environment.
Having been in the fitness industry and the world of
bodybuilding for many years I have heard all the
excuses that people use to justify their use of
anabolic steroids some quite hilarious. I have also
seen people; and this includes friends, experience
the drugs side effects. Some more serious than
others but serious health problems have in the end
become evident. My advice to anyone who is taking
or even contemplating taking these drugs either for
appearance, ego or as an easy option to hard
training is to stay well away from them. They will
affect you in some way, some minor effects with
short term use, but more serious side effects with An advert for the Skins product!
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Doug Lawrenson
Doug is an ex-competitive bodybuilder with over 20 years fitness experience,
specifically diet & nutrition, weight management and training techniques.
View all by Doug Lawrenson »
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Posted Mon, 12/14/2015 - 08:43 LIKE 32
Leah Young
same fam
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Posted Tue, 05/28/2013 - 16:42 LIKE 56
kenn
sweet
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Posted Fri, 04/26/2013 - 06:28 LIKE 55
Graham Wilmore
So you advertise steroids but offer no purchasing system? Where do I go? I wanna shop
online!
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