Steroids: Uses and Abuses
...ic steroids.” Anabolic steroids help treat breast cancer, androgen deficiency, stimulate growth, red blood cell production, and weight gain. They are also used to aid people who are recovering from surgery or cancer. The main problem with the use of steroids is the side effects. These side effects are both internal and external. Steroids affect the largest organ of the body; the skin. Steroids cause the pores in the skin to become larger, making the skin rough and cause extreme cases of acne. These skin aliments are more prominently found in females than males. Stretch marks, though not directly caused by the use of steroids, but the rapid growth of skeletal muscles, are another problem that occurs on the skin’s surface. “The only way to prevent stretch marks is to grow slowly.” (http://www.steroidinformation.com/sideeffects.htm) Another external side effect is baldness. Steroids do not cause baldness but rather they speed up the balding process for people who are going to genetically lose their hair anyway. People who use steroids will come across many internal changes as well. One of the most obvious is what is often referred to as “roid rage.” This is basically an extreme increase in aggressive behavior. Most athletes consider “roid rage” an advantage because it causes the athlete to train harder and more intensely, but an individual will lose many relationships because of this increased anger, putting not only a physical but now an emotional strain on the individual. Steroid abuse will greatly increase the risk of heart disease. Steroids increase the level of cholesterol in the body which will clog or block arteries. Steroids also increase blood pressure and oral steroids can cause liver damage or even liver failure. Some steroids, such as testosterone, will improve ones immune system. Although, the body will become dependent upon the steroids and when their use is discontinued, one will become tired and feel worn-down, and will be more prone to viral infections, colds, and pneumonia. One of the internal side effects that I find very interesting is gynecomastia; often referred to by people who use steroids as “bitch tits.” This is the unusual enlargement of one or both of the male breasts. Because this looks so unusual, it is the most feared side effect, especially if the person is planning on being in a competition. Two other side effects that are very common in steroid users are feminization and masculinization. Feminization only occurs in males and masculinization only occurs in females. Feminization is caused by excessive levels of testosterone that is often converted into estrogen, the female sex hormone. This results in the formation of female characteristics, such as gynecomastia, soft muscles, and fat deposits. Feminization also causes a lower production of testosterone which, in turn, affects the sperm count. Masculinization, in women, causes an increase in facial and body hair, a deeper voice, increased acne, thinning of hair or baldness, enlarged clitoris, and irregular menstruation. “Many athletes feel that steroid supplementation is a form of cheating, however, they will use creatine, protein powders, prohormone supplements, and ephedrine products without second guessing them.” (http://www.steroidinformation.com/alternatives.htm) Creatine and protein powders are very popular with athletes who do not want to use anabolic steroids. Creatine is great for short-term gains, such as bigger muscles, but the muscles do not gain that much strength because water retention causes the muscles to look bigger not actual become stronger. Protein powders are basically what their name implies; pure protein. The most popular protein is “whey protein.” Prohormone supplements and ephedrine products usually come in pill form which is not the best way for a person’s body to receive the supplements. It is very bad for the liver and during the digestion process you lose about 70% of the active ingredients in the products anyway. Technology has vastly improved over the years, and companies are always coming up with new products and forms to take them. “The newest and most effective way to supplement any product is through the skin. This is called Transdermal delivery.” (http://www.steroidinformation.com/alternatives.htm) These products come in the form of patches. They stick to the skin surface and the supplement in the patch soaks through the skin and into the blood stream. This kind of supp...