You may or may not be familiar with the term steroids, a substance sometimes connected to athletes on all levels, from high school to the pros. Let’s take a closer look at what steroids are, what they’re used for, who uses them, and the affects of using them.
What are Steroids?
Steroids are actually a man-made substance very similar to the male hormone testosterone. Steroids are used medically to treat health issues. Steroids contribute to the development of male sexual characteristics. There are over one hundred types of anabolic steroids and they are legal only with a prescription.
What are Steroids Used For?
Although steroids have medicinal properties and are used to treat such health issues as delayed puberty, some types of impotency and body wasting of individuals suffering from AIDs, steroids are widely abused by some athletes who use them to produce physical advantages. Some of the advantages associated with steroid use include:
- Improved muscular strength
- Building muscle mass
- Accelerated muscle growth
- Enhanced endurance
- Reduction in recovery time from training and competition
Who Uses Steroids?
Steroids are mainly but not exclusively used by professional athletes and body builders. The pressures of competition and winning drive some athletes to take the “whatever mean necessary to win" approach, including steroid use.
Steroid use by adolescents is a growing concern. Now not only student athletes, but teens who desire to exhibit the perfect body, use steroids as well. It’s unfortunate that these teens do not realize the harmful effects caused by putting steroids into their bodies.
What are the Affects of Using Steroids?
Steroid abuse is practiced by males as well as females as they strive to improve athletic performance, physical appearance, or both. There is however a price to pay for exposing the body to these chemicals. Among the know side-effects of steroid use are for men:
- Shrinking of the testicles
- Reduced sperm count
- Impotence
- Baldness
- Difficulty or pain in urinating
- Development of breasts
- Enlarged prostate
For women:
- Growth of facial hair
- Changes in or cessation of the menstrual cycle
- Enlargement of the clitoris
- Deepened voice
- Breast reduction
Both sexes:
- Acne
- Jaundice (yellowing of the skin)
- Trembling
- Swelling of feet or ankles
- Bad breath
- Reduction of HDL, the “good” cholesterol
- High blood pressure
- Aching joints
- Increased chance of injury to tendons, ligaments, and muscles
- Threat of AIDS from using dirty needles
- Cancer
- Heart/Liver/Kidney failure
- Depression
- Emotional illness
Steroid abuse is a serious issue that produces calamitous consequences in the body of the abusers. Eradication of this problem begins with education. It is important to understand that steroids do not belong in the body of health individuals and that steroids are illegal without a prescription. The way to achieve health and success in athletic endeavors is through exercise and proper nutrition.
“Take care of your body. It's the only place you have to live.” - Jim Rohn
Source- CDC
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