What are Anabolic Steroids
and Who Takes Them

What are Anabolic Steroids and Who Takes Them? 

Anabolic steroids are synthetic derivatives of the natural hormone testosterone. The word anabolic, literally means, "to build" and the word androgenic means, "masculinizing".

The hormone testosterone triggers the maturing of the male reproductive system during puberty and is responsible for the body hair growth and the deepening of the male voice during puberty.

Athletics take anabolic steroids to increase muscle mass and strength. 

Anabolic steroids are usually taken in two forms: injections and orally. These steroids are long lasting. 

Athletes use anabolic steroids because it not only enhances muscle growth but also allows them to train harder and longer.

Examples of some anabolic steroids include: testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, Andro, DHEA, clostebola and also nandrolone.

Football players, weightlifters, and also sprinters are taking anabolic steroids, as well as females and teens that are also taking them despite the risk of side effects.

The side effects that they individuals may experience are physical and psychological. The effects can be irreversible and if the steroids are being administered by injected there is the risk of contracting HIV and Hepatitis B through shared needles. 

Anabolic steroids are therapeutically used in medicine to stimulate bone growth and also to increase appetite. It is also used to induce male puberty and to treat chronic wasting conditions such as those seen in cases of cancer and also AIDS. 

Long-term use of anabolic steroids can lead to some serious health risks that include high blood pressure, liver damage and dangerous changes in the left ventricle of the heart.

It is possible to ward off some of these dangerous effects by exercising and my taking supplemental drugs.

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Side effects athletes may experience while taking anabolic steroids include: jaundice and liver damage due to the fact that the anabolic steroid is broken down in the liver, and mood swings, feelings of depression or aggression because anabolic steroids act upon certain areas of the brain.

In males who take anabolic steroids they may also experience baldness, infertility, and breast development.

Females who take anabolic steroids may experience hair growth on the face or body, it may suppress or interfere with the menstrual cycle, which could then lead to infertility and also taking anabolic steroids could cause females to experience thickened vocal cords which would then deepen their voice.

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If the female is pregnant while taking the anabolic steroid it could interfere with the normal development of the fetus. 

These adverse side effects make non-medical uses for anabolic steroids risky.

All major sporting bodies have banned the use of anabolic steroids including the International Olympic Committee, the National Hockey League, the Major League Baseball, the National Basketball Association, the National Football League and the European Athletic Association. 

Many countries view anabolic steroids as controlled substances including the U.S.A., Canada, the UK, Australia, Argentina, and Brazil. 

Unfortunately as is the case with many controlled substances, black markets exist due to the fact that the drug is desired despite its obvious health risks.

Smuggled and or counterfeit drugs are sold to those who desire them and the quality of these illegal drugs may be low or they may contain contaminants, which could then pose additional health risks to those who take them.