Steroids are classified into two major categories: corticosteroids and anabolic steroids. Corticosteroids are the class of steroids that doctors use to reduce inflammation. Anabolic steroids are synthetic hormones that people use to inhibit muscle breakdown and build excess muscle. In the United States, the use of anabolic steroids without a doctor's prescription is illegal.
How They Work
Anabolic steroids work by mimicking the action of the natural hormone testosterone. Testosterone signals the body to produce male characteristics, such as facial hair, deepening of the voice and increased muscle mass. Anabolic steroids increase the amount of testosterone in the blood, thus stimulating the muscle tissue to grow and become stronger.
Health Risks
Although steroids may build muscle, they can cause serious health complications. The use of steroids can lead to aggression, irritability, delusions, mania, jealously and feelings of invincibility. If steroids are taken during growing years, such as puberty, they can lead to stunted growth. The use of steroids can also increase blood cholesterol levels, which leads to increased risk of heart disease, and cause the heart muscle to enlarge. Steroid use can also lead to tumors on the kidneys and liver. The use of steroids also increases a man's risk of developing prostate cancer.
Side Effects
In addition to the long-term serious side effects, the use of steroids can also lead to acute physical symptoms and side effects. Boys and men who take steroids may experience reduced sperm count, baldness, shrinkage in the size of testicles, infertility and development of breasts. Girls and women who take steroids may experience the growth of facial hair, changes in menstruation, clitoral enlargement, baldness and a deepening of the voice.
Considerations
Anabolic steroids may have addictive properties. When discontinuing the use of anabolic steroids, users may experience withdrawal symptoms that include loss of appetite, fatigue, restlessness, reduced sex drive, mood swings and depression. The National Institute of Drug Abuse notes that many people who experience withdrawal from anabolic steroids begin to use other drugs to reduce symptoms. A study published in 2000 in the "New England Journal of Medicine" reported that 9.3 percent of men in a private treatment center for heroin use had abused anabolic steroids before trying any other type of drug.
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