Body Building & Steroids
Drugs referred to as "steroids" are classified as anabolic (or
anabolic-androgenic) and corticosteroids. Corticosteroids, like
cortisone, are drugs that doctors typically prescribe to help control
inflammation in the body. They're commonly used to help control
conditions like asthma and lupus. They're not as popular as the anabolic
steroids that receive so much media attention for their use by some
athletes and bodybuilders.
Basically, anabolic steroids are synthetic hormones that can boost the
body's ability to produce muscle and prevent muscle breakdown. A number
athletes take steroids in the hopes that they will improve their ability
to run faster, hit farther, lift heavier weights, jump higher, or have
more endurance. In the U.S, it is a violation in the law to use anabolic
steroids without a prescription.
Androstenedione (or andro) is one kind of anabolic steroid commonly
taken by athletes who want to build muscle. However, research suggests
that andro taken in large doses every day can significantly increase
levels of testosterone, which can lead to a number of health problems.
How Do Anabolic Steroids Work?
Anabolic steroids are drugs that look like the chemical structure of
the body's natural sex hormone testosterone, which is made naturally by
the body. Testosterone instructs the body to produce or enhance male
characteristics such as increased muscle mass, facial hair growth, and
deepening of the voice, and is an important part of male development
during puberty.
When anabolic steroids intensify the levels of testosterone in the
blood, they stimulate muscle tissue in the body to grow larger and
stronger. Yet, the effects of too much testosterone circulating in the
body can be harmful over time.
Dangers of Anabolic Steroids
Steroids are hazardous for two reasons: they are illegal, and they
can damage a person's health, especially if used in large doses over
time. Moreover, the health problems caused by steroids may not appear
until years after the steroids are taken.
Although anabolic steroids might help build muscle, steroids can produce
very serious side effects. The use of steroids for a long time can
negatively affect the reproductive system. In males, this drug can lead
to impotence, a reduction in the amount of sperm produced in the
testicles, and even reduced testicle size.
Females who always take steroids may have problems with their menstrual
cycles because steroids can disrupt the maturation and release of eggs
from the ovaries. This disruption can result to long-term problems with
fertility.
Steroids taken for an extended period of time also can result to:
- stunted growth in teens (by causing bones to mature too fast and
stop growing at an early age)
- liver tumors
- abnormal enlargement of the heart muscles
- violent, aggressive behavior and mood swings
- blood lipid abnormalities that contribute to heart disease
- acne (or a worsening of acne)
- increased breast growth in males, especially teens
- irreversible stretch marks
- a heightened tendency for hair loss and male-pattern baldness
- muscle aches
Teen girls and women risk these additional side effects:
- male-type facial and body hair growth and male-pattern baldness
- deepening of the voice
- enlargement of the clitoris
In addition to the health risks, kids who use steroids without
prescription are breaking the law. Drug testing of all athletes has
become more prevalent, and those who fail a drug test for steroids can
face legal consequences, including jail time, monetary fines, exclusion
from an event or team, or forfeiture of trophies or medals.
The use of Andro has been banned by many sports organizations, including
the International Olympic Committee, the National Football League, the
National Basketball Association, the National Collegiate Athletic
Association, the Association of Tennis Professionals, and most high
school athletic associations.
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