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Pharmacology

Side Effects Of Anabolic Steroids

  • October 3, 2014
  • 3 min read
  • 21458 Views

effects of AAS

Anabolic steroids or anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS), are synthetic forms of the male sex hormone testosterone. They mimic the effects of the male steroids testosterone and dihydrotestosterone, to learn more about it, see here this post about the best testosterone booster.

They increase protein synthesis within cells, which results in the buildup of cellular tissue (especially in muscles). Taking doses 10 to 100 times the amount prescribed by doctors for various illnesses promotes larger muscles when the person also exercises. Trainers may have been the first to acquire anabolic steroids for weight lifters, bodybuilders, and other athletes who need more power in the gym, such as professional football players. These are often termed as ergogenic use of anabolic steroids. Their use is referred to as doping and banned by all major sporting bodies. There is often a black market in countries where these drugs are classified as controlled substances.

Routes of administration (ROA):

AAS are commonly administered or taken in 3 different forms:
1. Oral pills (Enteral Route): They are convenient to use and are rapidly absorbed. They may be inefficient because only a part of drug is absorbed and undergo first pass metabolism.

2. Injectable steroids (Parenteral route): More oftenly they are intramuscular to avoid sudden changes in the amount of the drug in the bloodstream. It is used most commonly for non-medical purposes.

3. Skin patches (Transdermal patches): When placed on skin, AAS reaches into the bloodstream through the skin.

Adverse Effects:

1. Men often experience decreased sperm counts and decreased sexual desire due to atrophy of the testicles. Some develop an enlarged prostate gland or grow breasts. 

2. Acne is fairly common among anabolic steroid users, mostly due to stimulation of the sebaceous glands by increased testosterone levels. 

3. Women can develop male sexual characteristics. They grow hair on their chests and faces, and lose hair from their heads.

4. Many women experience abnormal enlargement of the clitoris. Some cease ovulating or menstruating, sometimes permanently.

5. Some researchers predict that two or three months of high dosage use of anabolic steroids as a teen can cause death by age 30 or 40.

6. Steroids have even been linked to heart disease in both sexes. The cause alterations in the structure of the heart resulting in hypertension, cardiac arrhythmias, congestive heart failure, heart attacks, and sudden cardiac death. There is an evidence of a young California weight lifter who had a fatal heart attack after using steroids, and the postmortem showed a lack of electrolytes, salts that help regulate the heart.

7. Steroids are oftenly implicated in the deaths of young athletes from liver cancer and one type of kidney tumor.

8. Steroids can cause the body to retain ?uid, which results in increased blood pressure. Such users may try to get rid of steroid bloat by taking large doses of diuretics.

9. The steroids may prematurely stop the lengthening of bones (premature epiphyseal fusion through increased levels of estrogen metabolites), resulting in stunted growth.

10. Steroid abuse has psychological effects like depression, hostility, aggression, and eating disorders. These drugs make a person feel invincible. Even psychosis and suicide have been associated with steroid abuse.  

So, the teenagers wishing to build muscles quickly, possibly due to society’s emphasis on physical appearance and adolescents need to feel better about how they look.

About Author

Sulabh Shrestha

Intern doctor and Medical Blogger Sulabh Shrestha

18 Comments

  • OMG thanks for this information. I am planning to try whey protien but when Ive read this I wont bu it anymore. Kudos to you guys!

  • I am thinking about taking a product called sd matrix they are legal and contain steroid and can be bought from gyms and websites, the cycle is 2 weeks on and 2 weeks off, is this safe?

    • There are risks involved but to be on the safest possible side, always consult a specialist who can calculate a proper dose for your body and avoid its abuse.

  • These side affects are all correct but by supplementing steroids and using low doses it can be quite safe

  • Hi,
    I Found this site by fluke… I was looking for facts on steroids because I have to do a PowerPoint on Performance Enhancing Drugs. I found this piece very useful and the Picture is also a nice touch. It gave me a visual to how it effects the body. Thank you.

  • Anaboic steroids can be used for the treatment of wasting wasting caused by HIV/AIDS. It is safe and effective under proper medical supervision.

  • Would love to see where you scientific evidence is regarding all this statements. The acne yes, but differs from person to person. Then any thing that you use to much of is bad for you even Vitamin C has worse side effects if you use to much of it! So if you use it to a low amount and properly i can help you in a lot of different ways.

    They even prescribe it to some Aids patients, that loose weight etc.

    • Thank you for the comment Frann. Unstable levels of testosterone could cause depression, sexual dysfunction and impotence. Since there is a wide array of steroids on the market, it is even still more difficult to determine what a low dose of steroids truly is. Though it may have positive effects on low dose cycles but the risk of abuse and dependence development still remains high. So, I would still recommend not to use it for luxury purpose.

  • Can Anabolic Steroids cause muscle weakness in later life?
    What are real uses then?

    • Medical uses of Anabolic steroids are:-
      Bone marrow stimulation:
      Growth stimulation:
      Prophylaxis for hereditary angioedema (HAE)
      Induction of male puberty:
      Used to treat Gender Identity Disorder
      Chronic Kidney disease

  • I have seen numerous individuals using steriods for creating mass and muscle tissue group. I would like to offer them a suggestion.regarding, the best location to inject steroids. A lot of people fear needles and try to prevent injectable steroids, but it’s the very best method to take these due towards the fact that injecting it to a big muscle group makes it so that less toxins are focused through the liver. Also, people tend to not forget about taking their dose because they know they have to inject them selves while a capsule is simple to overlook to take.You should NEVER inject just about any oil based steroids into your own veins as it can be extremely damaging. The very best location to inject steroids is inside your Gluteus Medius — Meaning the top right side of your correct buttock! Enjoy Body creating without having any issue.

    • Looks like you have forgot to read about its various side effects Anadrol.

  • It’s superb having nutrition as my life. I always tell people when they ask me what kind of bodybuilding supplements to take. Start with the basics and get some whey protein powder for weight loss as a body building supplement then if she feel like it, take an bodybuilding supplements for women. As always throw in a multivitamin.

  • I feel like I’m constantly looking for interesting things to read about a variety of topics, but I manage to include your site among my reads every day because you have compelling entries that I look forward to. Here’s hoping there’s a lot more great material coming!

  • True… you are right Anabolic Steroids have too much side effects…..

  • Thank you…PT… Its an inspiration for me to keep on writing 😀

    • It doesn’t decrease testicular size.

  • Sulav, I’ve read the whole article and I want to appreciate your efforts of helping your fellow humans.
    I hope to see more article of this type wich provide health tips with simple words because I think your readers belong to every sphere of life. Therefore most of us can’t understand difficult terms related to medical. This article is really easy to understand and it’s really an informative one too.

    May God help you to do more in this regard.
    Amen.
    Best Wishes!

    Ibn Hanif

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