subject: Steroids Effects – Major Side Effects [print this page] Steroids Effects Major Side Effects Steroids Effects Major Side Effects
Anabolic androgenic steroids are most well known for their use among athletes. These controlled substances make the news most often when athletes are found dead due to heart attacks or strokes as a result of long term steroid use or when during major sporting events athletes test positive for steroid use. Steroids effects on the body can be catastrophic, especially following long term, mega dose usage of the controlled substances. While steroids are used by doctors in the treatment of some medical conditions, these drugs are not sanctioned for use in the athletic field.
As with any drug taken out of the context it is designed for, steroids have the potential for serious and long lasting side effects in those who abuse them. The steroids effects are often the result of long term usage. Many side effects of steroid usage are reversible if the steroids are stopped and the body has a chance to heal and move on. Simply put, steroids are synthetic testosterone, the naturally produced male sex hormone found in the body. These drugs are typically taken by athletes in order to bulk up muscle and improve athletic performance. While muscle bulk does happen on steroids, agility and athletic skill are not benefits of steroid use.
Potential major steroids effects include things such as:
Cardiovascular problems- due to the fact that steroids prompt a rapid weight gain, high blood pressure often results and that leaves steroid users much more likely to suffer a cardiovascular event such as a heart attack or stroke. Steroid use also increases the level of bad cholesterol in the body which can build up and lead to blood clots which, in turn, can cause heart attacks or strokes.
Feminization- this happens in men when the excessive levels of testosterone in the body turn into the female hormone estrogen. Estrogen in males causes decreased sperm count, shrunken testes, decreased libido, impotence and the formation of breasts.
Psychiatric problems- known as 'roid rage', steroids effects on the mental state of users can be similar to manic behaviors exhibited by bipolar patients. Many users experience mania that leads to recklessness, aggression and little need for sleep. This mania is almost always followed by profound depression that can easily lead to suicidal behavior.
Steroids effects are known to be addictive, causing many users to continue to abuse the substances even when they are not performing athletically any longer. Long term steroid use is severely detrimental to the body.
