The regulation of testosterone and other hormone levels in the body is maintained in a delicate balance by several different regulatory systems. Taking extra testosterone can easily disrupt this balance. Athletes sometime take testosterone or testosterone-like substances, commonly called anabolic steroids, to increase muscle mass and boost athletic performance. Anabolic steroids are often illegal and unregulated, and their use without medical supervision can cause dangerous side effects.
Heart Problems
The high levels of testosterone taken by athletes abusing anabolic steroids can lead to the development of dangerous cholesterol levels, reports the New York State Department of Health. Testosterone is produced from cholesterol in the body, so the regulatory pathways of testosterone and cholesterol are tightly linked. Adding high levels of testosterone to the blood disrupts this regulation and alters cholesterol levels in the blood, which can lead to blocked blood vessels, increased blood pressure, coronary heart disease or stroke.
Acne and Hair Loss
High testosterone levels have been shown to cause severe acne in athletes abusing anabolic steroids, according to the Center for Substance Abuse Research. In addition, high levels of testosterone disrupt the regulation of hair growth, which leads to thinning hair and increases male pattern baldness.
Sexual Function
Raising testosterone levels with anabolic steroids also causes several detrimental effects on the sex organs and sexual function, the Drug Enforcement Administration explains. Abuse of steroids has been linked to decreased sperm count and low sex drive. Steroid abuse has also been shown to cause atrophy, or shrinking and wasting away of the testicles. Long term use of steroids can also cause impotence and sterility. In some cases, growth of breast tissue in men, called gynecomastia, has also been reported, as well as enlargement of the prostate.
Liver Damage
The chemical forms of testosterone used in anabolic steroids must be processed by the liver, which can result in liver damage or liver cancer with long-term use. This can lead to the development of jaundice, or yellowing of the skin and eyes, if the liver becomes so damaged that it no longer functions properly, reports the Center for Substance Abuse Research.
Mood Swings
The high levels of testosterone induced by anabolic steroid abuse has been linked to severe mood swings, including periods of mania and extreme irritability, followed by periods of severe depression. Steroid abuse also can cause nervousness and anxiety, and may induce delusions. Feelings of invincibility may lead to impaired judgment and dangerous decisions, as well as hostility and aggression, according to the Drug Enforcement Agency.
References
- Drug Enforcement Agency: Steroid Abuse in Today's Society
- Center for Substance Abuse Research: Anabolic Steroids
- New York State Department of Health: Anabolic Steroids and Sports: Winning at any Cost
- Harvard Univserity Medicine and Health: Study Links Steroid Abuse to Key Biological, Psychological Characteristics
