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Anabolic Steriods Abuse Side Effects
By: Road2HardCoreIron Date: May 10, 2018, 8:21 am
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Home › Reference › Drug Testing FAQ's › Anabolic Steroids -
Abuse, Side Effects and Safety
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Anabolic Steroids - Abuse, Side Effects and Safety
Medically reviewed on May 4, 2014 by L. Anderson, PharmD.
What are Anabolic Steroids?
Androgens and anabolic steroids include the endogenous male sex
hormone testosterone and dihydrotestosterone, and other agents
that behave like these sex hormones. Androgens stimulate the
development of male sexual characteristics (such as deepening of
the voice and beard growth) and development of male sex organs.
Anabolic steroids stimulate growth in many other types of
tissues, especially bone and muscle. Anabolic effects also
include increased production of red blood cells.
Medically, androgens and anabolic steroids are used to treat:
delayed puberty in adolescent boys
hypogonadism and impotence in men
breast cancer in women
anemia
osteoporosis
weight loss disease in HIV
endometriosis
other conditions with hormonal imbalance
Anabolic steroids can be given by injection, taken by mouth, or
used externally. In the U.S. they are classified as Schedule III
Controlled Substances due to the possibility of serious adverse
effects and a high potential for abuse.
Are Anabolic Steroids Prohibited in Sports?
Some athletes may abuse anabolic steroids to build muscle,
prolong endurance and enhance performance. Anabolic agents are
prohibited at all times, both in- and out-of-competition in
collegiate and professional sports and appear on both the World
Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA)
Prohibited Lists. Anabolic steroid use is also prohibited by the
International Olympic Committee (IOC) as well as the National
Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).1,2
Anabolic steroids include all synthetic derivatives of
testosterone, both oral and injectable. Examples of anabolic
steroids include testosterone, methyltestosterone, danazol, and
oxandrolone. Anabolic steroids are performance-enhancing agents
and act by increasing lean muscle protein synthesis and body
weight, without increasing fat mass.3
What is the Extent of Illicit Anabolic Steroid Use in the U.S?
Illegal use and street purchase of anabolic steroids is risky.
Illicit steroids may be sold at gyms, sporting competitions, and
via mail order, and buyers may be at risk of purchasing
adulterated or contaminated products. Often, illicit steroids
are smuggled into the U.S. from countries that do not require a
prescription for the purchase of steroids. Steroids may also be
illegally sourced from U.S. pharmacies or synthesized in
backroom laboratories. Common street names that are used to
refer to anabolic steroids may include:
Juice
Gym candy
Pumpers
Andro
Stackers
Abuse of anabolic steroids can occur in any age group, but
statistics on their abuse is difficult to quantitate because
many surveys on drug abuse do not include steroids. According to
the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), scientific evidence
indicates that anabolic steroid abuse among athletes may range
between one and six percent.2 The NIDA-funded Monitoring the
Future study from 2011 showed that 0.5% of 8th graders, 0.9% of
10th graders, and 1.3% of 12th grade males had abused anabolic
steroids at least once in the year prior to being surveyed;
among females, the rates were 0.5%, 0.7%, and 0.1%,
respectively.5 Laboratory drug testing can usually detect the
presence of anabolic steroids, and athletes in higher level
sports are frequently monitored for abuse of a large number of
drugs, including steroids.
Steroidal dietary supplements can be converted into testosterone
or other androgenic compounds in the body. Steroidal
over-the-counter dietary supplements such as androstenedione and
tetrahydrogestrinone (THG) were previously available without
prescription through health food stores, however, these
supplements are now illegal after amendments to the Anabolic
Steroid Control Act of 2004.3 Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA),
another steroidal dietary supplement is still available legally;
however, it does appear on the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency’s list of
prohibited agents for both in- and out-of-competition. Clinical
research reports indicate that these agents are ineffective or
lack evidence of performance-enhancing effects.3,4
What are the Most Common Side Effects That May Occur with
Anabolic Steroid Use?
There is a wide array of serious side effects associated with
abuse of anabolic steroids.4 Steroid use can alter the normal
hormonal production in the body. Most side effects can be
reversed if the drugs are stopped, but some, such as a deepened
voice in women may persist. Data on long-term side effects
primarily come from case reports and not from well-controlled,
long-term epidemiological studies, which might be reliable.4
Common side effects with anabolic steroids may include:
Severe acne, oily skin and hair
Hair loss
Liver disease, such as liver tumors and cysts
Kidney disease
Heart disease, such as heart attack and stroke
Altered mood, irritability, increased aggression, depression or
suicidal tendencies
Alterations in cholesterol and other blood lipids
High blood pressure
Gynecomastia (abnormal development of mammary glands in men
causing breast enlargement)
Shrinking of testicals
Azoospermia (absence of sperm in semen)
Menstrual irregularities in women
Infertility
Excess facial or body hair, deeper voice in women
Stunted growth and height in teens
Risk of viral or bacterial infections due to unsterile
injections
Are Anabolic Steroids Addictive?
Users of anabolic steroids can become both physically and
psychologically dependent upon the drugs, as evidenced by a
drug-seeking behavior, continued use even with adverse effects,
and physical withdrawal symptoms such as mood swings, fatigue,
restlessness, loss of appetite, insomnia, reduced sex drive, and
steroid cravings. Severe withdrawal can lead to depression and
possible suicide. Depressive symptoms can persist for up to one
year after the user stops taking the steroid.4
Supportive treatments and medication interventions may be needed
for severe anabolic addiction. Medications that have been used
for treating anabolic steroid withdrawal allow the natural
hormonal system to restore. Other medications target specific
withdrawal symptoms. For example, antidepressants may be
prescribed to treat depressive episodes and analgesics, such as
acetaminophen or ibuprofen, may be used for headaches and muscle
and joint pains. Some patients may also undergo behavioral
therapies.4
What is Being Done to Combat Anabolic Steroid Abuse?
Awareness and educational efforts are working to help prevent
anabolic steroid abuse in schools and communities. The
Adolescents Training and Learning to Avoid Steroids (ATLAS) and
the Athletes Targeting Healthy Exercise and Nutrition
Alternatives (ATHENA) programs, funded by the NIDA, and
supported by the Oregon Health & Science University programs is
teaching athletes that they do not need steroids to build
powerful muscles and improve athletic performance. These
programs provide weight-training and nutrition alternatives,
increase healthy behaviors, less likelihood to try steroids, and
less likelihood to engage in other dangerous behaviors such as
drinking and driving, use of marijuana and alcohol, and and
improved body image. Bother Congress and the Substance Abuse and
Mental Health Services Administration endor
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