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Location: United Kingdom
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 Posted: Fri Oct 06, 2006 12:45 pm Post subject: What effect do they have? |
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Athletes who have used anabolic steroids report a significant increases in lean muscle mass, strength and endurance, but no studies have shown that these drugs enhance performance.
Consequences of steroid abuse
For men
Men who take large doses of anabolic steroids typically experience changes in sexual characteristics. Although derived from a male sex hormone, the drug can trigger a mechanism in the body that can actually shut down the healthy functioning of the male reproductive system. Some possible side effects are:
Shrinking of the testicles
Reduced sperm count
Impotence
Baldness
Difficulty or pain in urinating
Development of breasts
Enlarged prostate
For women
Females may experience 'masculinization' as well as other problems such as:
Growth of facial hair
Changes in or cessation of the menstrual cycle
Enlargement of the clitoris
Deepened voice
Breast reduction
For both sexes
For both men and women, continued use of anabolic steroids may lead to health conditions ranging from merely irritating to life-threatening. Some effects are:
Acne
Jaundice
Trembling
Swelling of feet or ankles
Bad breath
Reduction in HDL, the 'good' cholesterol
High blood pressure
Liver damage and cancers
Aching joints
Increased chance of injury to tendons, ligaments, and muscles
Many athletes report 'feeling good' about themselves while on a steroids regimen. Yet large mood swings are commonly seen, ranging from periods of aggression to bouts of depression when the drugs are stopped.
Addiction
Long-term steroids users seem to experience many of the characteristics of classic addiction: cravings, difficulty in ceasing steroids use and withdrawal symptoms.
It appears that abusers can develop a psychological, if not physical, dependence on anabolic steroids. A classic symptom of this is that users tend to overlook or simply ignore the physical dangers and moral implications of taking illegal substances.
Certain delusional behavior that is characteristic of addiction can occur. Some athletes who 'bulk up' on anabolic steroids are unaware of body changes that are obvious to others, experiencing what is sometimes called reverse anorexia.
Legal consequences
At present it is legal to possess anabolic steroids in the UK. However, it is an offence under the Misuse of Drugs Act to supply anabolic steroids to another person. Under present UK law the penalties for supplying anabolic steroids are the same as those for supplying any Class B controlled substance.
The International Olympics Committee banned steroids use by all athletes in its member associations in 1975. Since then most major amateur and professional organizations have put the drugs on their list of banned substances. Such bans do not carry any legal penalties.
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