Anabolic Steroids
Stop The Insanity!

There's no denying there has been a lot of controversy surrounding Anabolic Steroids these days. This controversy has played a primary role to many athletes being discovered as Steroid users.

I'm sure there's no objection to say that Steroids have become the "Black Child" of sports these days. When an athlete is discovered to have been a user, this athlete is labeled as a cheater almost instantaneously.

It is a compound...a group of synthetic hormones, which are usually derived from testosterone. They are usually used for the many physiological effects they can produce. Bodybuilders in the past used them especially for the increased protein synthesis, muscle mass, strength, and bone growth they produce. They are also known for increasing appetite.

I'm sure you can see why so many athletes get suckered into using steroids. With quick gains within reach, many have become users, and others have wrecked their careers due to this temptation.

With all the negative side effects, I wonder why so many have been willing to compromise with this drug. These side effects include high blood pressure, increase in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and hepatotoxicity.

There is no doubt that sports persons, bodybuilders, weightlifters, macho youth and others do abuse the drug, which is why the US government has enacted the Anabolic Steroid Control Act of 2004. At the same time, I believe it is wrong to club steroids in the category of other banned substances, like cocaine or heroin, for the simple reason that anabolic steroid has good medical value for great many patients in dire need of recovery from serious ailments.

Steroids are often used via injection directly into the blood stream or muscle. They may also be taken orally in the form of a pill or gel tablet. Creams are also available that allow the user to rub directly onto the skin.

Steroids can be taken in a single occurence, but many also elect to use them in various patterns such as pyramiding, cycling, or stacking.

When men make the choice of using Anabolic Steroids, the following side effects may occur:

In the short-term you may experience reduced sperm count, heart damage, impotence, and difficulty/pain while urinating.

In the long-term you may experience Liver Disease or Liver Cancer, breast development and shrinking of the testicles.

In the short-term you may experience breast reduction and excessive hair growth.

In the long-term you may experience deepened voice, enlarged female sex organs, and abnormal menstrual cycles.

In the short-term you may experience Acne, fluid retention, rapid weight gain, increased blood pressure and cholesterol levels, insomnia (inability to sleep), headaches, reduced sexual functioning, increase in muscle size, swelling of feet and ankles, improved healing and improved appetite.

In the long-term you may experience blood clotting difficulties, heart attacks, clotting disorders, cardiovascular organ damage, liver organ damage, reproductive organ damage, premature heart attacks/strokes, reduced sexual functioning, stunted growth in adolescents, increased chance of injuring ligaments/tendons/muscles.

Also, if you're injecting you may be exposed to bacterial infections, abscesses, cellulitis, and HIV/AIDS.

An increase in aggressiveness or increase in violence is among the most reported psychological side-effect known when using Steroids. Many know this as "Roid Rage". The user will display episodes of aggression and violent feelings/actions. Extreme mood swings may also occur.

Return to Bodybuilding Supplements from Anabolic Steroids page.

Return to Home Page from Anabolic Steroids page.