Are Steroids Worth the Risk?

Dominic has baseball on
the brain. Just being good isn't enough — he wants to be the best. He
dreams of playing in the majors someday, but worries about the intense
competition for a position on a major league team. His girlfriend,
Deborah, is also a highly competitive athlete whose appearance and
performance are very important to her. She wants to stand out — both
physically and athletically.

Because of the pressure they each feel to excel, Dominic and Deborah
wonder whether steroids would help them. They've heard rumors about the
bad side effects of steroids, but they don't have many facts. Here's the
scoop on steroids.

What Are Steroids?



Steroids, sometimes referred to as roids, juice, hype, weight
trainers, gym candy, arnolds, stackers, or pumpers, are the same as, or
similar to, certain hormones in the body. The body produces steroids
naturally to support such functions as fighting stress and promoting
growth and development. But some people use steroid pills, gels, creams,
or injections because they think steroids can improve their sports
performance or the way they look.

Anabolic steroids are artificially produced hormones that are the same as, or similar to, androgens,
the male-type sex hormones in the body. There are more than 100
variations of anabolic steroids. The most powerful androgen is testosterone (pronounced: tess-toss-tuh-rone).
Although testosterone is mainly a mature male hormone, girls' bodies
produce smaller amounts. Testosterone promotes the masculine traits that
guys develop during puberty, such as deepening of the voice and growth
of body hair. Testosterone levels can also affect how aggressive a
person is.

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

Another group of steroids, sometimes called steroidal supplements,
contains dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and/or androstenedione (also
known as andro). For the most part, steroidal supplements, which used to
be found at health food stores or gyms, are now illegal and require a
prescription. DHEA is one of the few exceptions and can still be bought
over the counter.

Steroid supplements are weaker forms of androgen. Their effects
aren't well known, but it's thought that, when taken in large doses,
they cause effects similar to other androgens like testosterone. Here's
what is known about steroidal supplements: Companies that
manufacture them often use false claims and very little is known about
the long-term effects some of these substances have on the body. That’s
one reason why the government took action to protect citizens by passing
laws controlling steroid distribution.Continue

Listen
How Do Anabolic Steroids Work?





Anabolic steroids stimulate muscle tissue to grow and "bulk up" in
response to training by mimicking the effect of naturally produced
testosterone on the body. Anabolic steroids can remain in the body
anywhere from a couple of days to about a year. Steroids have become
popular because they may improve endurance, strength, and muscle mass.
However, research has not shown that steroids improve skill, agility, or
athletic performance.

Dangers of Steroids





Anabolic steroids cause many different types of problems. Some of the more serious or long-lasting side effects are:

• premature balding or hair loss
  
• dizziness
  
• mood swings, including anger, aggression, and depression
  
• believing things that aren't true (delusion)
  
• extreme feelings of mistrust or fear (paranoia)
  
• problems sleeping
  
• nausea and vomiting
  
• trembling
  
• high blood pressure that can damage the heart or blood vessels over time
  
• aching joints
  
• greater chance of injuring muscles and tendons
  
• jaundice or yellowing of the skin; liver damage
  
• urinary problems
  
• shortening of final adult height
  
• increased risk of developing heart disease, stroke, and some types of cancer
  

BackContinue


Listen
Risks for Girls



Specific risks for girls associated with anabolic steroids include:

• increased facial hair growth
  
• development of masculine traits, such as deepening of the voice, and
  loss of feminine body characteristics, such as shrinking of the breasts
  
• enlargement of the clitoris
  
• menstrual cycle changes
  

Risks for Guys



Specific risks for guys include:

• testicular shrinkage
  
• pain when urinating
  
• breast development
  
• impotence (inability to get an erection)
  
• sterility (inability to have children)
  

Other Problems



Steroids can also have serious psychological side effects. Some users
become aggressive or combative, developing "roid rage" — extreme,
uncontrolled bouts of anger caused by long-term steroid use.



Steroid users who inject the drugs with a needle are at risk for
infection with HIV (human immunodeficiency virus), the virus that causes
AIDS, if they share needles with other users. People who use dirty
needles are also at greater risk for contracting hepatitis, a disease of
the liver, or bacterial endocarditis, an infection of the inner lining
of the heart.
BackContinue


Listen
Steroids: Stacking and Addiction



Some people combine or "stack" anabolic steroids with other drugs.
Other steroid users may "pyramid" or "cycle" their steroid doses,
starting with a low dose of stacked drugs and then periodically
increasing and decreasing the dosage of the steroid, which users believe
helps their bodies recuperate from the drugs.

Because even scientists don't understand exactly how steroids
interact with each other or possibly cause reactions to other
medications, it's possible that a person who stacks or cycles steroids
can take a deadly combination. Emergency departments have reported cases
of vomiting, tremors, dizziness, and even coma (unconsciousness) when
patients were admitted after taking combinations of steroids.

A lot of people tell themselves they'll only use steroids for a
season or a school year. Unfortunately, steroids can be addictive,
making it hard to stop taking them.

Steroid users can spend lots of time and money trying to get the
drugs. And once users stop taking steroids, they're at risk of
developing irritability, paranoia, and severe depression, which may lead
to suicidal thoughts or attempted suicide. Some of the long-term
effects of steroids may not show up for many years. People who use
steroids also appear to be at higher risk for using other drugs, such as
alcohol or cocaine.
BackContinue


Listen
What Is Human Growth Hormone?



You may have heard of something called Human Growth Hormone, or hGH,
in relation to sports supplements and maybe even related to steroids.
Like steroids, hGH is only legal when prescribed by a doctor for a
medical condition. Doctors prescribe hGH for people whose bodies don't
naturally make enough growth hormone, a condition known as growth
hormone deficiency. However, recent trends show an increase in growth
hormone being abused as an athletic supplement.

A lot of myths surround hGH and its effects on athletes. As with
steroids, there is absolutely no evidence that growth hormone helps to
improve athletic performance. Here are some risks you should be aware
of:

• Any type of hGH that is not obtained by prescription is not regulated by the government and could be almost anything.
  
• If you buy what may be called "growth hormone," "growth
  stimulators," or "growth factors" online, it's likely they're not really
  hGH. Many websites claim to be selling growth hormone, but they're
  really selling amino acids that don't significantly increase growth
  hormone levels in your body.
  
• If the false claims of performance benefits from hGH don't bother
  you, the price probably will — $5,000 for a month's prescription,
  meaning that the street value for just a month could run anywhere from
  $5,000-$10,000.
  
• Because growth hormone can only be injected, like some steroids,
  there's a risk of contracting HIV or other diseases (like hepatitis) if
  people share needles.
  

BackContinue


Listen
Strong



Anabolic steroids are controversial in the sports world because of
the health risks associated with them and their unproven performance
benefits. Most are illegal and are banned by professional sports
organizations and medical associations. As seen in the high-profile
cases, if an athlete is caught using steroids, his or her career can be
destroyed.

When it comes right down to it, harming your body or getting
disqualified aren't smart ways to try to improve your athletic
performance. Being a star athlete means training the healthy way: eating the right foods, practicing, and strength training without the use of drugs.

Reviewed by: Steven Dowshen, MD
Date reviewed: April 2009
Back



How Do Anabolic Steroids Work?





Anabolic steroids stimulate muscle tissue to grow and "bulk up" in
response to training by mimicking the effect of naturally produced
testosterone on the body. Anabolic steroids can remain in the body
anywhere from a couple of days to about a year. Steroids have become
popular because they may improve endurance, strength, and muscle mass.
However, research has not shown that steroids improve skill, agility, or
athletic performance.

Dangers of Steroids





Anabolic steroids cause many different types of problems. Some of the more serious or long-lasting side effects are:

• premature balding or hair loss
  
• dizziness
  
• mood swings, including anger, aggression, and depression
  
• believing things that aren't true (delusion)
  
• extreme feelings of mistrust or fear (paranoia)
  
• problems sleeping
  
• nausea and vomiting
  
• trembling
  
• high blood pressure that can damage the heart or blood vessels over time
  
• aching joints
  
• greater chance of injuring muscles and tendons
  
• jaundice or yellowing of the skin; liver damage
  
• urinary problems
  
• shortening of final adult height
  
• increased risk of developing heart disease, stroke, and some types of cancer
  

Risks for Girls



Specific risks for girls associated with anabolic steroids include:

• increased facial hair growth
  
• development of masculine traits, such as deepening of the voice, and
  loss of feminine body characteristics, such as shrinking of the breasts
  
• enlargement of the clitoris
  
• menstrual cycle changes
  

Risks for Guys



Specific risks for guys include:

• testicular shrinkage
  
• pain when urinating
  
• breast development
  
• impotence (inability to get an erection)
  
• sterility (inability to have children)
  

Other Problems



Steroids can also have serious psychological side effects. Some users
become aggressive or combative, developing "roid rage" — extreme,
uncontrolled bouts of anger caused by long-term steroid use.



Steroid users who inject the drugs with a needle are at risk for
infection with HIV (human immunodeficiency virus), the virus that causes
AIDS, if they share needles with other users. People who use dirty
needles are also at greater risk for contracting hepatitis, a disease of
the liver, or bacterial endocarditis, an infection of the inner lining
of the heart

Steroids: Stacking and Addiction



Some people combine or "stack" anabolic steroids with other drugs.
Other steroid users may "pyramid" or "cycle" their steroid doses,
starting with a low dose of stacked drugs and then periodically
increasing and decreasing the dosage of the steroid, which users believe
helps their bodies recuperate from the drugs.

Because even scientists don't understand exactly how steroids
interact with each other or possibly cause reactions to other
medications, it's possible that a person who stacks or cycles steroids
can take a deadly combination. Emergency departments have reported cases
of vomiting, tremors, dizziness, and even coma (unconsciousness) when
patients were admitted after taking combinations of steroids.

A lot of people tell themselves they'll only use steroids for a
season or a school year. Unfortunately, steroids can be addictive,
making it hard to stop taking them.

Steroid users can spend lots of time and money trying to get the
drugs. And once users stop taking steroids, they're at risk of
developing irritability, paranoia, and severe depression, which may lead
to suicidal thoughts or attempted suicide. Some of the long-term
effects of steroids may not show up for many years. People who use
steroids also appear to be at higher risk for using other drugs, such as
alcohol or cocaine.

What Is Human Growth Hormone?



You may have heard of something called Human Growth Hormone, or hGH,
in relation to sports supplements and maybe even related to steroids.
Like steroids, hGH is only legal when prescribed by a doctor for a
medical condition. Doctors prescribe hGH for people whose bodies don't
naturally make enough growth hormone, a condition known as growth
hormone deficiency. However, recent trends show an increase in growth
hormone being abused as an athletic supplement.

A lot of myths surround hGH and its effects on athletes. As with
steroids, there is absolutely no evidence that growth hormone helps to
improve athletic performance. Here are some risks you should be aware
of:

• Any type of hGH that is not obtained by prescription is not regulated by the government and could be almost anything.
  
• If you buy what may be called "growth hormone," "growth
  stimulators," or "growth factors" online, it's likely they're not really
  hGH. Many websites claim to be selling growth hormone, but they're
  really selling amino acids that don't significantly increase growth
  hormone levels in your body.
  
• If the false claims of performance benefits from hGH don't bother
  you, the price probably will — $5,000 for a month's prescription,
  meaning that the street value for just a month could run anywhere from
  $5,000-$10,000.
  
• Because growth hormone can only be injected, like some steroids,
  there's a risk of contracting HIV or other diseases (like hepatitis) if
  people share needles.
  

Strong



Anabolic steroids are controversial in the sports world because of
the health risks associated with them and their unproven performance
benefits. Most are illegal and are banned by professional sports
organizations and medical associations. As seen in the high-profile
cases, if an athlete is caught using steroids, his or her career can be
destroyed.

When it comes right down to it, harming your body or getting
disqualified aren't smart ways to try to improve your athletic
performance. Being a star athlete means training the healthy way: eating the right foods, practicing, and strength training without the use of drugs.

Reviewed by: Steven Dowshen, MD
Date reviewed: April 2009