What are steroids?

Steroids (sometimes called “roids” or “juices”) are the same or similar to certain hormones in the body. The body naturally produces steroids to support functions such as fighting stress and promoting growth and development.

However, some people use steroid pills, gels, creams or injections because they believe that steroids can improve their athletic performance or appearance.

Anabolic steroids are artificially produced hormones which are the same or similar androgens, a male sex hormone in the body. There are over 100 varieties of anabolic steroids. The strongest androgen is testosterone (pronounced: tess-TOSS-tuh-rone). Although testosterone is primarily a mature male hormone, girls’ bodies produce it in smaller amounts. Testosterone helps build muscle mass and supports masculine qualities that men develop during puberty, such as a deeper voice and hair growth. Testosterone levels can also affect a person’s aggressiveness.

Athletes sometimes take anabolic steroids because of testosterone-like effects.

Other steroids, sometimes called steroid supplements, contain dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and / or androstenedione (also called andro). For the most part, steroid supplements that were once found in health food stores or gyms are now illegal and require a prescription. DHEA is one of the few exceptions and can still be purchased without a prescription.

Steroid supplements are weaker forms of androgens. Its effects are not well known, but when taken in high doses it is believed that they cause effects similar to other androgens, such as testosterone. However, studies suggest that they do little or nothing to improve athletic performance.

What is known about steroid supplements: The companies that manufacture them often make false claims, and little is known about the long-term effects of some of these substances on the body. This is one of the reasons the government has taken steps to protect citizens by passing laws governing the distribution of steroids.

How do anabolic steroids work?

Anabolic steroids stimulate growth and “much” of muscle tissue in response to exercise by mimicking the effects of testosterone produced naturally in the body. Anabolic steroids can stay in the body for days to a year. Steroids have become popular because they can improve stamina, strength, and muscle mass. However, research has not shown that steroids improve athletic ability, dexterity, or performance.

Danger of steroids

Anabolic steroids cause many types of problems. Some of the common side effects are:

• acne
• premature baldness or hair loss
• to gain weight
• humor changes
• aggression
• sleep problems
• Hypertension
• increased risk of muscle and tendon injuries
• jaundice (yellowing of the skin); Liver damage
• stunted growth
• increased risk of heart disease, blood clots, stroke, and certain types of cancer
• Risks for girls
• Specific risks for girls associated with anabolic steroids include:
• increased hair growth on the face and body
• development of male functions such as deep voice and loss of female bodily functions such as breast reduction
• enlargement of the clitoris
• changes in the menstrual cycle
• Risks for boys

Specific risks for men include:

• shrinkage of the testicles
• painful urination
• breast development
• impotence (inability to get an erection)
• decreased sperm count and infertility
• Other problems

Steroids can also have serious psychological side effects. Some users may be aggressive or militant, believe in things that are not true (delusions), or have an extreme sense of mistrust or fear (paranoia). And people who use steroids also seem to be at higher risk of using other drugs, such as alcohol or cocaine, often against some of the negative effects of steroids.

Steroid users who inject drugs with a needle are at risk of contracting HIV (human immunodeficiency virus), a virus that causes AIDS, when they share needles with other users. The personal