1. Increased Aggressiveness and Mood Swings
Anabolic steroids affect hormones and the user's psychological state. Early on, it usually means having a lot more energy and an increased libido, but it also means increased aggressiveness, wild mood swings and fits of depression. Sudden changes in the user's mood may mean anabolic steroid poisoning, especially if these mood swings are accompanied by other common symptoms.
2. Unusual Muscle Growth
Low levels of anabolic steroid use result in slow growth of muscle size and strength. More frequent use means more massive muscle growth to the tune of 3 or 4 lb a month. The increased energy that comes with steroid use often means increased exercise habits, which feeds into the unusual muscle growth. In the short term, the user will exhibit increased strength and stamina. Over time, however, the muscles will break down and steroids can lead to other, more serious problems as well.
3. Acne and Other Physical Symptoms
Pimples and acne accompany anabolic steroid use as the body's hormones are manipulated. This will likely happen even if the user is well past adolescence. The user may also develop a deeper voice, and men may develop abnormally large breast tissue. Hair loss is also a common side effect and may not be reversible if the steroid use stops.
4. The Female Reaction
Women who use anabolic steroids often see their breast size decrease and their periods either shift dramatically or stop entirely. They may also experience changes in their vaginal area, such as an enlarged clitoris and a shriveling of the mucous membrane around the vagina.
5. Take a Urine Test
Certain chemicals in anabolic steroids don't leave the body for months or even years. Anabolic steroid use can also cause serious problems with the liver, such as tumor growth. Both of these conditions are detectable by a urine test, which can spot the steroid poisoning and determine how long the poisoning has gone on.
