Author: Bob Howardbr
Source: articleage.combr
br
Most of these problems are usually related to using high dosage or individual genetics. For convenience weve divided the potential side effects into those experienced by men, women, and teenagers.
Men – Although anabolic steroids are derived from the male sex hormone, testosterone, men who take them may actually experience a feminization side effect along with a decrease in normal male sexual function. This is because one of the metabolic breakdown products of testosterone is the female hormone, estrogen. Some possible anabolic steroid side effects in men include:
Reduced sperm count
Impotence
Development of breasts
Shrinking of the testicles
Difficulty or pain while urinating
Women – Its not surprising that women who take the drugs may develop masculinizing effects. These include the following:
Facial hair growth
Deepened voice
Breast reduction
Menstrual cycle changes
Clitoral enlargement
Both sexes – With continued use of anabolic steroids, both sexes can experience the following anabolic steroid side effects, which range from the merely unsightly to the life-endangering. They include:
Acne
Water retention
Rapid weight gain
Clotting disorders
Liver enzyme irregularities
Elevated cholesterol levels
Tendon damage from proportionally stronger muscles
Mood swings
Teenagers – anabolic steroid side effects can pose several serious health side effects in teens. Anabolic steroids have been known to fuse the growth centers (epiphyseal plates) in teens bones. Once these growth plates are closed, they cannot reopen so adolescents that abuse anabolic steroids may end up shorter than their natural genetic height. Anabolic steroids have also been known to cause severe mood swings. This could have severe consequences in many teens as this age group is characterized by naturally occurring behavioral changes. Although not conclusive, there have been a few cases where anabolic steroids may have contributed to suicide in a few teens. Its because of these serious anabolic steroids side effects that teenagers should under no circumstances use these drugs.
Are anabolic steroids addictive?
Although the evidence is limited it is possible that addiction may be one of the most serious of anabolic steroids side effects. Recent evidence suggests that long-time users of anabolic steroids and steroid abusers may experience some of the classic characteristics of addiction including cravings, difficulty in stopping steroid use and withdrawal symptoms. As the research is limited, its not known if the symptoms of addiction are psychological or physiological in nature. For those who use anabolic steroids, coming off the juice can be very traumatic as they begin to lose muscular size and strength. This loss of a key component of their identity can leave them suffering many of the same symptoms and side effects as those using common street drugs.
How to minimize the risk of anabolic steroid side effects
Given that anabolic steroids are illegal in many countries, its probably a good idea to avoid them altogether. If you do decide to use them, the following tips will help you reduce the risk of side effects:
Use oral steroids as sparingly as possible. They have been chemically modified to survive the digestive system and hence much harder on the liver.
Never stay on a steroid cycle for more than 6 to 8 weeks.
Never use any steroids that have a questionable manufacturing background. Beware of the blackmarket.
At the first sign of any serious side effect (chest pain, blood in urine, etc), stop all steroids and see a physician.
Article 02/01 2006
Steroid side effects
Article 02/01 2006
? Bob Howard 2006br
br
br
br
Author: Bob Howardbr
Source: articleage.combr
br
We can thank the media and legislators for bringing the risk of anabolic steroid side effects to the forefront. Despite the exaggeration of the risks of using these drugs, steroids can still pose problems for users. Keep in mind that the risk of developing side effects is usually in proportion to the length of the steroid cycles and the size of the stacks being followed. To keep things clear weve separated the potential side effects into those experienced by men, women, and teenagers.
Men Despite steroids being derived from the male sex hormone, testosterone, males who use these drugs may ironically develop the feminizing side effect, gynecomastia. Also called bitch tits, this condition is recognized by a swelling of the nipple region to the point that it may take on the appearance of female breasts! This unsightly condition occurs because one of the breakdown products of steroids and testosterone is the female hormone estrogen. And as males also have estrogen receptors the elevated estrogen levels may start producing female like effects – including gynecomastia – in mens bodies.
Although this is probably the most severe cosmetic effect, there are others including
Reduced sperm count
Impotence
Development of breasts
Shrinking of the testicles
Difficulty or pain while urinating
Women Its not surprising that women who take the drugs may develop masculinizing anabolic steroid side effects. After all steroids are derivatives of the male hormone testosterone. These include the following:
Facial hair growth
Deepened voice
Breast reduction
Menstrual cycle changes
Clitoral enlargement
Both sexes When individuals stay on extended steroid cycles, the risk of developing side effects increases. Both sexes can experience the following, which range from the merely ugly and unsightly to the life-threatening. They include:
Acne
Water retention
Rapid weight gain
Clotting disorders
Liver enzyme irregularities
Elevated cholesterol levels
Tendon damage from proportionally stronger muscles
Mood swings
Teenagers No discussion on steroid side effects would be complete without mentioning teenage usage of these drugs. Anabolic steroids can pose several serious health issues to teens. These drugs have been known to fuse the growth centers (epiphyseal plates) in teenagers bones; and once closed they cannot reopen. The end result is that the adolescent may end up shorter than his or her natural genetic height. Steroids have also been linked to severe mood swings. This could have severe repercussions as the teenage years are naturally marked by fluctuations in moods. Although not proven, there have been a few cases where the usage of steroids may have contributed to the suicide of a few teens. Its because of the previous anabolic steroid side effects that teenagers should under no circumstances use these drugs.
Addiction? Despite the limited evidence, it is possible that steroids may cause addiction. Some studies suggests that heavy users of anabolic steroids may experience some of the classic symptoms of addiction including uncontrollable cravings, difficulty in terminating usage, and withdrawal symptoms. For many users of these drugs, coming off the juice can be very traumatic as they begin to lose their esteem building muscular size and strength. This loss of a key component of their identity can leave them suffering many of the same symptoms and side effects as those using common street drugs. Side effect free! Wouldnt it be great if there were supplements available that produced steroid-like muscle-building effects without side effects? Well guess what – there is! They are called steroid alternatives and they are fast becoming the choice of bodybuilders everywhere. Users report steroid-like gains in muscular size and strength without side effects. You owe it to yourself to check them out today! ? Bob Howard 4/14/2006
? Bob Howard 4/15/2006
Bob Howard expert on bodybuilding and steroids. Are you looking
for more of his steroid side effects articles? http://www.steroids-information.comArticle Bob Howard 03/22/2006br
br
br
br