Anabolic steroids are substances which imitate and synthesis the male hormone testosterone. It is renowned the world over for its muscle boosting ability. They are more commonly known as Performance Enhancing drugs, as they are regularly used by athletes and bodybuilding professionals. When injected or taken orally, these substances increase the level of testosterone in the body enabling individuals to develop muscle mass and get that perfect body. It is used by athletes to improve their games by aiding in exercising harder and reducing recovery time. It increases aggression in the body which helps in putting up a good show. It is recommended to increase the protein intake while on steroids.
As far as its medicinal purpose is concerned, it is mostly prescribed by physicians as a last resort to patients suffering from deadly diseases like HIV and AIDS. These diseases cause wastage of mass and loss of weight and appetite and this is exactly what steroids counters. Anabolic steroid boost diet of patients giving them energy to get on with their daily lives as well as gives them strength to carry on day to day activities.
Anabolic steroids have two kinds of effects, androgenic and anabolic effects. Anabolic effects is the reason why players and body builders use it to put on muscle mass and get a high level of testosterone to enhance their performance. Androgenic effects are when the body starts showing masculine effects like getting a deep voice and having enlarged sex glands.
Short term effects on men include sperm count may go down, heart problems may arise, infertility problems as well as painful urination. Long term effects on men include liver problems and shrinking of testicles. Gynomastia is also a side effect of prolonged usage which is the development of male breasts. This is the development of breast tissues in men and a very embarrassing side effect. Sometimes, this effect might need to be taken care of by surgery in serious cases.
Short term effects on women include reduced breasts and excessive hair growth both on face and body. Long term effects on women include infertility, enlargement of clitoris and irregularity of menstrual periods. Virilization is a serious problem female users of anabolic steroids face. This is development of male sex characteristics in women like getting a deep voice and increase in hair growth.
Generic effects include Acne, water retention, increased weight gain, high blood pressure and increased cholesterol level, sleep problems (insomnia), headaches, sex drive problems, bloating and edema (swelling in feet and ankles) due to water retention
Prolonged usage may result in blood clotting, heart problems, liver damage, reproductive organ problems, strokes and heart attack, reduction is sex drive, problems in natural production of testosterone, growth problems in adolescents, increase in muscle injury chances, pain and swelling in area of injection due to frequency of injections.
Some other problems are also seen as an effect of taking anabolic steroids. These are not proven scientifically but are frequently reported by users. Researched report that user may get aggressive and violent as a result of using anabolic steroids. It is not unusual for users to lash out at family and friends in their “roid rage”. In addition to this extreme moodiness is also reported during its usage. Depression may prevail on stopping usage of steroids indicating an addiction to its usage. Furthermore, jealousy, delusions, irritability and weak judgments also are reported by some users of anabolic steroids.
The use of steroids has been banned in many gaming competitions as players get the undue edge by being on anabolic steroids. Legally, anabolic steroids can only be sold and purchased with a physcician’s prescription.