Steroid Effects

Steroids are types of organic compounds containing characteristic arrangements i.e. four cycloalkane rings that have been joined together. The main use of steroids i.e. anabolic steroids is enhancing the body's athletic ability. There are many reasons why many people abuse steroids. The most common reasons include; enhancing self image and performance. Below are some of the most common negative steroid effects.

Negative steroid effects

1. Cardiovascular disease: Anabolic steroids have an adverse impact on low density lipoprotein (LDL), high density lipoprotein (HDL) and the total cholesterol values. HDL is usually considered as good cholesterol because it helps to remove cholesterol deposits present in the arteries. LDL on the other hand is bad cholesterol because it helps to build-up cholesterol on the walls of arteries. Steroid use lowers HDL concentrations and increase LDL concentrations therefore increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease.

2. Cancer: Steroids also increase cancer risk. This is because most steroids contain compounds such as Anadrol 50 which usually stress the liver to the extent of causing liver damage/malfunction. The liver is usually responsible for detoxifying the body thus if the live is damaged or malfunctions, toxins aren't eliminated effectively. This in turn increases the chances of getting cancer i.e. liver cancer or other related cancer types.

3. Acne: Rampant acne is a very common steroid side effect. This is because androgens found in steroids stimulate the sebaceous glands to secrete oils onto the skin. Use of steroids thus increases the level of androgens which in turn increases secretion of oil causing acne to develop. Acne is one of the most common steroid effects caused by prolonged/strong use of androgenic steroids.

4. Aggressive behaviour: Steroids are also known to cause aggression especially in men. This is a common and scarier side effect of steroid use. Steroids cause aggression in men mainly because they contain male hormones i.e. androgens which are capable of increasing a man's aggressive tendencies.

5. Birth defects: Anabolic steroids have also been proven to cause birth defects because they have an impact on foetal development. Syndromes such as Adrenal Genital Syndrome are very common birth defects that cause female foetus to develop male reproductive organs. This is very common in women using anabolic steroids.

6. Depression: Steroid use has also been known to cause depression. One of the main causes of depression is an imbalance in the level of hormones in the body. Steroid use obviously affects the level of hormones in the body. This can therefore cause depression when an individual's mood or disposition is changed. Depression is very common in bodybuilders especially when steroid use is discontinued. This is because discontinued use cause a sudden imbalance in hormonal levels.

7. Hair loss: Prolonged use of androgenic steroids can also have a negative effect on healthy scalp hair growth. In fact, one of the most common hair loss forms in males is directly related to androgen hormone levels in hair tissues. Androgenic hormones in steroids and genetic predisposition are proven causes of scalp hair loss.

8. Prolonged blood clotting: Prolonged use of steroids (anabolic steroids) has also been proven to increase the prothrombin time which is the time bloods take to form a clot. Individuals who use anabolic steroids therefore stand at a risk of prolonged bleeding because their blood takes longer to clot.

9. Gynecomastia: This is among the most common steroid effects in males. Gynecomastia simply refers to the development of breast tissue in males. Gynecomastia occurs as a side effect of anabolic steroid use in males because steroids usually have very high estrogen levels especially when steroids use aromatizing androgens like Dianabol and testosterone. Excess estrogen is capable of acting on breast receptors to stimulate growth of mammary tissues. Gynecomastia is one of the most embarrassing steroid effects because it makes men have a feminine appearance.

10. Hypertension: Anabolic steroids are also capable of causing hypertension or high blood pressure. This steroid side effect is common in athletes during treatment. Steroids cause high blood pressure because they have high tendencies of converting estrogen. As the levels of estrogen build in the body, water and salt retention increases which in turn increases the blood pressure. Steroids also cause high blood pressure by causing stress during weight training and weigh gain.