Steroids are synthetic derivatives of testosterone, the hormone responsible for body growth and maturity. Steroids having anabolic and androgenic properties are anabolic steroids. Anabolic steroids are often used by bodybuilders, weightlifters, athletes, and other sports persons to enhance their performance, power, and strength. These steroids are also often used by youngsters for various cosmetic reasons. But, such steroid use is in fact steroid abuse, which has a number of side effects and serious consequences.
Some of the common side effects of steroid use and steroid overdose may include wooziness, early loss of hair, sleeping troubles, nausea, depression, mood changes, joint pain, hallucinations, paranoia, urination problems, yellow fever, stroke, increased risk of heart disease, trembling, high levels of blood pressure, and increased chance of injuring muscles and tendons. Some of the serious consequences associated with steroid use may include aggressiveness, depression, anxiety and uncontrolled bouts of anger.
Steroid use or over doses may also cause serious affects on male & female reproductive systems. The side effects of steroids affecting male reproductive system may include testicular shrinkage, powerlessness, hair loss, sterility, development of breasts or nipples, urinary problems, increased size of prostate gland and reduced sperm count. The side effects of steroids affecting female reproductive system may include development of male features, increased facial hair growth, breast shrinkage and increased size of the clitoris.
However, there do are benefits of steroid use. The Medical steroid use is effective in treating the conditions, such as delayed puberty and some types of impotence, which are associated with the low secretion of testosterone in body. The medicinal steroid use is also proven effective in a number of medical purposes, such as bone growth stimulation, appetency, and muscle development. Anabolic steroids are also used to treat chronic wasting disease, such as AIDS and cancer.
The real benefits of steroid use are in the people who use steroids in later years of life. According to the founder of the Las Vegas-based Cenegenics Medical Institute, Dr. Alan Mintz, the elderly people have real benefits of steroid use. These drugs help people live healthy life in later years. These medicines have wonderful benefits, if they are used in the right way and right time.
