Androgen steroid side effects are still being explored. Anabolic steroids are manmade drugs that mimic the effect of male testosterone originally developed for medical use. Steroids have been illicitly exploited by some body builders and athletes seeking to improve performance and build muscle mass. Manmade steroids are precursors to testosterone, also known as AAS or anabolic androgenic steroids that can have mild to life threatening side effects.
Acne
A side effect of androgen steroids is acne vulgaris, that same type that occurs during puberty. The male hormone testosterone stimulates production of sebaceous glands that lubricate and protect the skin. Steroids cause an over secretion of the oil produced by the glands, called sebum. The result is acne, cysts and blackheads.
Musculoskeletal Injury
The risk of tendon rupture increases with androgen steroids use. Anabolic steroids build muscle but they also destroy collagen fibrils, weakening tendons that hold muscles together. Weight lifters are especially vulnerable to tearing of the tricep muscle from steroid use. A 1993 article titled "Rupture of the triceps tendon associated with steroid injections" is published in "The American Journal of Sports Medicine" describing the chances of musculoskeletal injury as a side effect of androgen steroid use.
Cardiovascular Disease
High blood pressure from fluid retention increases the risk of cardiovascular disease from androgen steroid use. The side effects of anabolic steroid use may lead to heart disease from lower HDL, the "good" cholesterol. Physical training combined with steroid use can lead to an enlarged heart and sudden cardiac death.
Impaired Liver Function
Another side effect of androgen steroids taken is impaired liver function. Liver function is measureable with blood tests. Elevation of liver enzymes have been found in athletes who use anabolic steroids indicative of damage to the liver cells. In the "Encyclopedia of Sports Medicine and Science," Harm Kuipers, M.D., Ph.D., Department of Physiology, University of Limburg states "The influence of AS on liver function has been studied extensively." Anabolic steroid use may result in hepatic cyst formation that rupture and cause hemorrhage.
Gynecomastia
Enlarged breasts called gynecomastia is a side effect of androgen steroids from increased circulation of female estrogen hormones. Discontinuation of anabolic androgen steroids fails to reverse the side effect of breast enlargement.
References
- National Institutes of Health: Anabolic Steroid Abuse
- The College of New Jersey: Medical Issues of Anabolic Steroid Use
- Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism: Androgen Steroid Therapy for Chronic Diseases
- American Journal of Sports Medicine: Rupture of the Triceps Tendon and Steroids
- NIH: Performance Enhancing Drugs and Sudden Death
