Steroids

Many men, particularly young men, want to develop bodies like bodybuilders. How do they do it? Well, steroids are synthetic substances that have a similar chemistry tot he male hormone testosterone. The most common names of anabolic (muscle-building) steroids are anadrol, oxandrin, dianobol, winstol, deca-durabolin, and equipoise. The street names of steroids include roids and juice.

Testosterone is an important male sex hormone that both promotes muscle growth (the anabolic effect) and develops male sexual characteristics (the androgenic effect). So anabolic –androgenic steroids (often shortened to just anabolic steroids) are drugs that work like testosterone.

Anabolic steroids were originally developed to treat a condition known as hypogonadism, in which the male’s testes don’t produce enough testosterone. Steroids also have some limited legitimate medical uses for people with certain types of anemia (loss of red blood cells), and systemic lupus erythematosus. But steroid abuse has nothing to do with these conditions.

Some steroid users pop pills, but others inject the drug directly into muscles. Most users are taking doses that are 10 to 100 times larger than those that may be legitimately prescribed by physicians.

Steroids are primarily psychologically addicting because of their muscles-building effects. If you use steroids, you will probably feel stronger and gain bulk. But remember, you’re putting yourself at risk for cancer, liver disease, and sex changes (shrunken testicles for males and male sex characteristics for females). These effects may be irreversible and may take years to develop.

Steroids affect your secondary sex characteristics. Males may experience shrunken testicles, the growth of breasts, and reduced sperm count. Females may grow facial hair, develop a deeper voice, and grow excessive body hair. All users are prone to acne, hair loss, tumors (usually liver tumors), and violent, angry mood swings- rampages. Scary stuff!