Anabolic steroid use has increased, not only in body builders and athletes but among children and professionals who want a competitive advantage in physical strength. Although steroids may help increase lean muscle and shorten the recovery time from arduous workouts, they could also have many hazardous side effects, which may result in irreparable damage to the body or even in death.
Effects Specific to Men
Anabolic steroids are hormones that can strongly affect a man's body. According to an article on CounselingSeattle.com, these steroids may interfere with his ability to produce testosterone. This may include shrinking of testicles and reducing sperm count. The users may also develop breasts and experience infertility and permanent baldness.
Effects Specific to Women
The use of anabolic steroids in women will also cause hormonal changes. Women may experience facial hair growth, a deeper voice and changes in their menstrual cycles. The article on CounselingSeattle.com goes on to mention that women may also experience permanent hair loss. The use of steroids in women who are pregnant may cause retardation of the female fetus, according to SportsCI.org.
Effects Specific to Children and Teenagers
As children's bodies are still developing, anabolic steroids may cause their growth to be stopped before maturity, according to an article on the Greater Dallas Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse website. Steroids may also cause an early onset of puberty. Some adolescents have expressed feelings of being invincible.
Effect on the Liver
The liver is a filter that processes almost everything that goes into the body. According to SportsCI.org, steroids have shown to cause jaundice and tumors on the liver. After quitting the use of steroids, the lesions and tumors on the liver have shown signs of reversing.
Effect on the Brain
The limbic system, which affects memory and learning, is affected by steroids. They often lead to severe mood changes, irritability and depression. Some people who use steroids have sudden changes in personality and go from being agreeable to aggressive. The nickname for this is "'roid rage."
Other Effects on Humans
Anabolic steroid use may cause fluid retention and high blood pressure. In some cases, the HDL, or high density lipoproteins, have decreased, while the LDL, or low density lipoproteins, have slightly increased or remain unchanged. Some studies have shown short-term cardiovascular changes, but the long-term effects are not known. Other possible side effects include dizziness, delusion, paranoia, insomnia, nausea, aching joints and sore muscles.
