People abusing steroids may take anywhere from 1 to upwards of a times normal therapeutic doses of anabolic steroids. This often includes taking two or more steroids concurrently, a practice called "stacking. This practice is called "cycling. Doses of anabolic steroids used will depend on the particular objectives of the steroid user.
Athletes middle or high school, college, professional, and Olympic usually take steroids for a limited period of time to achieve a particular goal. Others such as bodybuilders, law enforcement officers, fitness buffs, and body guards usually take steroids for extended periods of time.
The length of time that steroids stay in the body varies from a couple of days to more than 12 months. There is increasing concern regarding possible serious health problems that are associated with the abuse of steroids, including both short-term and long-term side effects.
The short-term adverse physical effects of anabolic steroid abuse are fairly well known. Short-term side effects may include sexual and reproductive disorders, fluid retention, and severe acne. The short-term side effects in men are reversible with discontinuation of steroid use.
Masculinizing effects seen in women, such as deepening of the voice, body and facial hair growth, enlarged clitoris, and baldness are not reversible. The long-term adverse physical effects of anabolic steroid abuse in men and in women, other than masculinizing effects, have not been studied, and as such, are not known. However, it is speculated that possible long-term effects may include adverse cardiovascular effects such as heart damage and stroke.
Under this legislation, anabolic steroids are defined as any drug or hormonal substance chemically and pharmacologically related to testosterone other than estrogens, progestins, and corticosteroids that promotes muscle growth. The possession or sale of anabolic steroids without a valid prescription is illegal. If this is the second felony drug offense, the maximum period of imprisonment and the maximum fine both double.
While the above listed penalties are for federal offenses, individual states have also implemented fines and penalties for illegal use of anabolic steroids. Major League Baseball, National Basketball Association, National Football League NFL , and National Hockey League have banned the use of steroids by athletes, both because of their potential dangerous side effects and because they give the user an unfair advantage.
The IOC and professional sports leagues use urine testing to detect steroid use both in and out of competition. A variety of non-steroid drugs are commonly found within the illicit anabolic steroid market. These substances are primarily used for one or more of the following reasons: 1 to serve as an alternative to anabolic steroids; 2 to alleviate short-term adverse effects associated with anabolic steroid use; or 3 to mask anabolic steroid use.
The State of Victoria and the Department of Health shall not bear any liability for reliance by any user on the materials contained on this website. Skip to main content. Home Drugs. Anabolic steroids. Actions for this page Listen Print. Summary Read the full fact sheet. On this page. What are anabolic steroids? Who uses anabolic steroids? How anabolic steroids work How anabolic steroids affect the body Side effects of anabolic steroids Long-term effects of anabolic steroids Mixing anabolic steroids with other drugs Dependence on anabolic steroids Withdrawal from anabolic steroids Treatment for anabolic steroid addiction Anabolic steroid use and the law Where to get help.
Common slang terms for steroids include 'roids', 'gear' and 'juice'. Other groups who typically use them include: Professional athletes and bodybuilders who are involved in competitive sport or who have a strong desire to succeed. People who work in industries where muscle strength is important — such as security workers, police, construction workers and defence force staff.
Young people and adults who are concerned about their body image and want to look muscular to feel good. This may include people who work in the fashion and entertainment industries. Testosterone has two effects on your body: anabolic — maintains bone density, supports muscle growth and speeds up recovery from injury androgenic also known as masculinising — develops and maintains male characteristics such as the penis, testicles, muscle mass, deep voice and facial hair.
How anabolic steroids affect the body People who use anabolic steroids generally experience an increase in muscle strength very quickly. This can often lead to rapid increases in lean muscle tissue. Fluid retention is also common and can lead to muscles looking soft or bloated. Side effects of anabolic steroids The effects of anabolic steroid use can differ from person to person.
Some people may experience: fluid retention also called water retention or oedema difficulty sleeping damage to nerves from injecting steroids irritability, mood swings, aggression or depression increased sex drive libido skin changes — acne that results in scarring more colds. Men may experience: testicle and penis shrinkage reduced sperm count erectile dysfunction or impotence prostate problems gynaecomastia breast development baldness patterned hair loss involuntary and long-lasting erection.
Women may experience: irregular menstrual cycle or loss of periods amenorrhoea shrunken breasts deepened voice facial and body hair growth such as hirsutism abnormal growth of the clitoris. Long-term effects of anabolic steroids Anabolic steroids can produce many unpleasant and often permanent side effects, including: damage to the gonads testicles or ovaries liver disease malfunctions of the kidneys , liver or heart 'roid rage', which is characterised by uncontrollable outbursts of psychotic aggression paranoia and mood swings, including deep depression severe acne , which can cause scarring high blood cholesterol levels high blood pressure hypertension injuries to tendons that can't keep up with the increased muscle strength delusional feelings of being superhuman or invincible.
Trembling and muscle tremors. Mixing anabolic steroids with other drugs A person who is using anabolic steroids may turn to other supplementary drugs. Some of these other drugs may include: amphetamines — to counteract feelings of deep depression and aid in fat loss beta blockers — to counteract trembling diuretics — to counteract fluid retention human growth hormone — such as human chorionic gonadotrophin HCG to stimulate the body's natural production of testosterone and counteract testicle shrinkage.
And once users stop taking steroids, they can have withdrawal symptoms such as loss of appetite, tiredness, restlessness, insomnia, mood swings, and depression. Anabolic steroid use is illegal and banned by professional sports organizations and medical associations. In spite of this, some athletes continue to take steroids because they think it gives them a competitive advantage. As seen in high-profile cases, if an athlete is caught using steroids, his or her career can be destroyed.
And there are serious health consequences. When it comes right down to it, harming your body or getting disqualified aren't smart ways to try to improve your athletic performance.
Being a star athlete means working hard and training the healthy way: eating the right foods , practicing, and strength training without the use of drugs. Reviewed by: Steven Dowshen, MD.
Larger text size Large text size Regular text size. What Are Steroids? Athletes sometimes take anabolic steroids because of their testosterone-like effects. How Do Anabolic Steroids Work?
Dangers of Steroids Anabolic steroids cause many different types of problems. Some of the common side effects are: acne premature balding or hair loss weight gain mood swings aggression problems sleeping high blood pressure greater chance of injuring muscles and tendons jaundice yellowing of the skin ; liver damage stunted growth increased risk of developing heart disease, blood clots, stroke, and some types of cancer Page Three Risks for Girls Specific risks for girls associated with anabolic steroids include: increased facial and body hair growth development of masculine traits, such as deepening of the voice, and loss of feminine body characteristics, such as shrinking of the breasts enlargement of the clitoris menstrual cycle changes Risks for Guys Specific risks for guys include: testicular shrinkage pain when urinating breast development impotence inability to get an erection reduced sperm count and infertility Other Problems Steroids can also have serious psychological side effects.
Steroids: Stacking and Addiction Some people "cycle" their steroid doses. Strong Alternatives to Steroids Anabolic steroid use is illegal and banned by professional sports organizations and medical associations.
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