SubscribeWhy You Should Never Take Steroids
In the past, we've noted (with dismay) here on Diet Blog that many young men turn to steroids to "bulk up" and put on muscle quickly. Steroids are not only illegal, they are also very dangerous - and should only be used under medical supervision.
What are steroids?
The type of illegal steroids used by body builders are anabolic steroids - they were first created in the 1930s, and are related to the hormone testosterone. This means they have androgenic qualities (encouraging masculine development in the body, such as the growth of vocal cords and body hair) - and they also increase muscle mass and physical strength.
When should steroids be used?
Steroids are prescribed for some conditions, such as to stimulate bone growth and appetite, to induce puberty in boys, and to treat chronic wasting conditions (eg. cancer and aids). They should only be used when prescribed by a doctor in this way.
What are the risks of steroid abuse?
The author Craig Davidson wrote recently in the Guardian about his experiences with injecting illegal steroids. One of the most horrible passages to read was this:
"That oil I shot into my hip weeks ago had not dissolved. The deep pain convinced me I'd developed an abscess. In effect, I've got a pouch of month-old oil inside my hip, walled off by my immune system. If I'm lucky it's sterile, but if not it is infected, the surrounding tissue gone necrotic."
For men, the more severe side effects of steroids include:
- Premature balding or hair loss
- Dizziness
- Mood swings, including anger, aggression, and depression
- Hallucinations
- Paranoia
- Insomnia
- Nausea and vomiting
- High blood pressure
- Higher risk of injuring muscles and tendons
- Jaundice (yellowing of the skin); liver damage
- Urinary problems and pain when urinating
- Testicular shrinkage
- Breast development (gynecomastia)
- Impotence and sterility
- Stunted growth (for teenagers)
devils advocate as typed by this natural (read: no real experienced-science here) woman.
illegal vet. steriods? probably not a good idea and from what I saw when I was involved in bodybuilding (small business :) not competing) THAT was the bulk of what was used.
"real" steriods? as given to patients (mainly aids, yes? Dr J? Ya in the house?) to prevent wasting? It seems as though the results as pretty amazing.
in a good way.
is this all another example of our nature to lean toward IF A LITTLE IS GOOD THAN A LOTLOTLOT WILL BE EVEN BETTER!? when we get the side effects listed at the end of post?
Im not sure.
ReplyM.
I really don't know much about steroids for AIDS patients. The studies seem to have mixed results, with resistance training, etc recommended if possible. I guess it has to be tailored to the individual. Prevention cannot be stressed enough.
Until they have the "whatever" category in Olympic events, I feel the use of anabolic steroids is a very dangerous game.
ReplyIt's amazing how much abuse the human body can withstand.
I want to ask the author how successful he was with women after bulking up. (That's the reason 99% of the guys do this type of thing). Did he get more looks? More dates? What was the reaction when he got intimate with them and couldn't even do anything due to his - ahem - reduced size? Having gone out with several attractive women, I can say that looking healthy is something they like, but looking like Arnold Schwarzenegger usually is not.
ReplyNatural bodybuilders (in the stringent natural competitions) have the hottest bodies, hands down. (IMO) There is a distinct and different look among the general bodybuilding competitions where steroid use is rampant -- not so aesthetically pleasing.
ReplyI'm not a bodybuilder, but I couldn't imagine taking steroids. I can understand that there is a great deal of pressure on athletes to increase their performance, especially when money is on the line. However, a lot is known about the negative effects of steroids now, and it seems difficult to think that the benefits outweigh them. Having a doctor in my family, I know that the long-term effects of steroids are horrendous, and have scared me off of even thinking about taking them.
Replythanks Dr J for chiming in!
ReplyI think people that take steroids seem to think they are invincible and that nothing will ever catch up with them down the road.
ReplyNot to hijack the topic here, but doesn't this attitude apply to many things people do? The idea that something "won't happen to me" seems to be in our genetic makeup (think Eve in the Garden of Eden=). Applied to steroids: side effects won't happen to me; Overeating: I won't gain weight; Not exercising: I'll stay fit forever by folding laundry & sitting behind my desk. Is there some reason "we" have a tendency to toss aside the risks and focus on the rewards?
ReplyI am not advocating taking steroids illegally in any way, but what does injecting oil have to do with injecting steroids? They are not the same thing. A while ago John Stossel, Martin Bashir, or some other investigative reporter did a report on steroids (sorry, could not find the name of the show). What struck me about the show was the legal side of it. The FDA, DEA, or whoever made steroids illegal without any support from the medical community. There has also never been a death caused by steroid use (not that there isn't side-effects, just like any drug).
Reply"There has also never been a death caused by steroid use."
In my opinion that statement is incorrect. Not just from anabolic steroids, but I believe many people died when cortisone was first discovered and used as the "wonder drug."
http://www.anabolicsmall.com/steroid_risks.html
ReplyThe show was about illegal steroid use by bodybuilders so I beilieve the statement about no deaths caused by steroids was in that context.
ReplyOK, thanks! I'm sure your feelings about anabolic steroid use is a fair one. In addition, there are other things that the FDA has, from many doctors viewpoints, had a too restrictive policy about.
ReplyWhat people don't talk about is the rise in the use of steroids in WOMEN lately...lots of women athletes take them to try and preserve muscle while dieting severely. The long term side effects aren't that well-documented, but I would imagine that hair growth, voice deepening, ovarian shrinkage, etc., would be some of them.
I'm sure a lot of people probably do use veterinary steroids if they don't have access to human grade ones, just like people are using Clenbutrol (a horse asthma drug) to lose weight rapidly even though it literally destroys your thyroid gland.
ReplyI'm not familiar with steroid use and its negative effects. I will however make known a positive effect of testosterone.
Women have always received attention for their hormonal loss as they approach their age and been given supplimental hormones to help their moods and physical ailments.
I am a 55 yr. old male and wonder why there's little on the subject of men and their losses. I had experienced a loss of muscle mass,often became overwhelmed with multitasking,and wrestled with bouts of depression. I experienced erectile dysfunction at times also.
My doctor gave me a blood test and found me to fall below my level of testosterone. Inside of 2weeks I no longer had ED. Within 8 wks. I had not only gained muscle mass but I increased more than before.I no longer felt overwhelmed or struck with depression. In fact my thoughts are now clear as ever and I am very focused.My wife says my skin is better as well.
I recommend staying in close touch with your doctor and keeping up with your colonoscopy.
ReplyHave there been any controlled tests done on the effects of steroids? I was under the impression it is mostly empiracle evidence and so is difficult to draw direct links. I certainly do not condone steroids but I think many users overuse and abuse steriods to such a large extent, which exacerbates the problem.
ReplyOveruse and abuse, the use of steroid becomes an addictive and psychological problem.
ReplySteroids are crazy. It is like cheating and the side affects are not worth it. I see people who use steroids and it is just not attractive.
ReplyOther than the good doctor, none of you really have any medical backgrounds. People tend to take what they hear on the "oh, so reliable" news as the gospil. Bob Costas, who loves to run his chomp about steroids and his opinions of them, regretably, knows diddly about steroids. I am around steroids all the time. I don't use... yet, but I am taking the time to learn more about them before I come to a conclusion. When you folks talk about how bad users look and all the negative side effects, keep in mind that you are witnessing the extremes of this subject. There are undoubtedly twice as many "users" out there on a more educated, regimented usage than these extreme examples. I guarantee you see them on a daily basis and don't even know it. Thankfully, none of you are insulting the people who choose to use and are making your judgments based on your own agendas. I will agree that there are way too many uneducated and too young of people using. The "ALOTLOTLOT" point is 100% true, especially in kids. But since they have been banned and constantly shunned by the media, there tends to be "ALOTLOTLOT" less information and education available. I am on a quest to find solid information about side effects on low dose, maintenance use. Like what Art mentioned above, and I have heard over and over again, "no one has ever died from using steroids." I'm talking direct use in normal subjects. If you already have a bad heart or are using cocaine on the side, etc. there has to be some speculation on the validity of claims pointing the finger directly at steroids. I commend folks for not using, and I don't hate those who do. Your choice, and it should be your's alone! I just wish the GP would do a teency bit of research before not only making a choice, but taking away mine.
ReplySteroids do not reduce the size of what you're implying, only the testicles. Don't make stuff up.
Replytaking steriods can kill you depending on if you are able to take them
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