Sports lovers may not have forgotten a significant incident that brought fame and shame simultaneously to a reputed athlete from Canada. He had created world record in 100 m sprint in 1988 Seoul Olympics as well as had won the title in the World championship in Athletics in 1987 in Rome. Unfortunately, he was stripped off both his medals after he was tested positive in the dope test, subsequent to winning his gold medal in 100 m sprint in Seoul.
The consumption of steroids is banned and considered illegal in the world of sports, not without reason. People want to go past their natural limits to build muscles, enhance performance, and improve their appearances, little realizing the dangerous side effects of these drugs.
What are Steroids?
Steroids are basically chemicals, which are of several types. Some are naturally produced in the body. Another type is the ones that are used in the field of medicine for treating autoimmune disorders or inflammatory conditions like arthritis. Anabolic steroids are yet another type of steroids which are taken by people for various purposes like body building, weight and strength training, developing endurance, enhancing performance, etc. These anabolic steroids cause a number of health hazards.
Adverse Sexual Effects of Steroids in Adults
Steroids affect adversely the sexual aspects of men and women. They have serious implications on the male sexuality such as increasing the production of sexual hormone testosterone. The excess production may cause:
- Gynecomastia: The excess hormones get converted to estrogen, resulting in the development of feminine characteristics like breasts.
- Sexual Anomalies: Examples of these are painful erection, shrinking of testicles, decreased sperm count, infertility, and impotency.
Most of the booster anabolic steroids are similar to the male hormone called testosterone, and women who consume these steroids develop undesirable masculine characteristics like:
- Excessive facial and body hair growth
- Deepening of their voices
- Reduction in the size of their breasts
- Development of masculinized female fetus.
In addition to these, they may develop an enlarged clitoris and have menstrual irregularities too.
Adverse Effects of Steroids on Teenagers
Teenagers consuming steroids may face problems like stunted growth due to arrested bone growth. There is also the risk of contracting HIV or hepatitis infection through unsterilized needles or syringes, as steroids are normally injected. Apart from this, girls may suffer long-term masculinization.
Adverse Effects of Steroids on General Health
Anabolic steroids cause several serious adverse effects on the general health of both men and women, posing a big threat to life.
Effects on Heart and Associated Parts
- Blood Pressure: Steroids may lead to salt and fluid retention, resulting in a higher blood pressure.
- Heart Size: Steroids may cause enlargement of the heart.
- Cholesterol Level: Steroids may increase the level of "bad" cholesterol (LDL).
- Heart Attacks: As an ultimate effect of blood pressure and high LDL levels in addition to increased level of homocysteine, heart attacks are a greater possibility.
Effects on the Joints
Steroids may cause tendon rupture. They increase the muscle mass and strength, which exerts pressure on the joints and ligaments resulting in tendon rupture.
Effects on the Skin and Hair
- Acne: Steroids enlarge the sebaceous glands in the skin, which increase sebum (oil) production. This will become the food for the bacteria and hence acne may erupt. This will only make matters worse for teenagers who have already developed acne during the development of secondary sexual characteristics. The scalp and skin of those who take anabolic steroids remains oily.
- Balding: Using steroids leads to over-production of DHT, a hair inhibitor enzyme. This could result in balding in both men and women.
Effects on the Liver
Anabolic steroids are known to produce significant risk of liver disease and liver cancer. Blood-filled cysts replace liver and spleen tissue, which are associated with liver failure. They cause yellowing of the skin (jaundice) too.
Effects on the Emotions
Apart from affecting the physical health adversely, anabolic steroids do not spare our emotions too. The effects:
- They may cause mood swings.
- They may make people flare up into rages (angry outbursts). The brain has a fantastic impulse control mechanism built into its circuits. However, the influence of anabolic steroids affects this mechanism, resulting in rages.
- People using steroids also suffer delusions.
When we weigh these harmful effects against the apparent benefits, we can understand why we should stay away from these steroids. We should not invite trouble to our well-being and good health for the sake of temporary success and short-term results. We need to be aware of these ourselves, and spread this message across to everyone.
