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Men's
Health > Anabolic Steroids
Anabolic Steroids (the juice, gear, roids) are drugs
that highly resemble androgenic hormones (sometimes
referred to as male hormones) such as testosterone.
Anabolic-androgenic steroids or anabolic steroids,
as they are commonly known, were developed in the
1930s, to promote growth of skeletal muscle and to
develop male sexual characteristics
Athletes consume them in the hope of gaining
strength, power, weight, speed, endurance and
aggressiveness. Anabolic Steroids are widely used by
athletes involved in such sports as track and field
(mostly throwing events), weight lifting and
American Football. Even with steroids tremendous
popularity, their effectiveness is controversial.
Almost all athletes who consume these substances
acclaim their beneficial effects. Many athletes feel
that they would not have been as successful without
them.
Male hormones, primarily testosterone, are
responsible for the dramatic developmental changes
that occur during puberty and adolescence. Male
hormones have androgenic and anabolic effects.
Androgenic effects are changes in primary and
secondary sexual characteristics. This includes
voice change, enlargement of the penis and testes,
hair growth on the face, axilla, and increased
aggressiveness. The anabolic effects of androgens
include accelerated growth of muscle, bone, and red
blood cells, and enhanced neural conduction.
In some cases Steroids can be used for treating
delayed puberty, impotence, wasting of the body due
to HIV, some forms of anemia, osteoporosis and for
itching caused by a liver condition.
Side effects of anabolic steroid use are serious and
not uncommon. Anabolic steroids have more side
effects and those containing 17-alky have
potentially more adverse side effects. Some side
effects include liver damage, problems with the male
reproductive system, atrophy/shrinkage of testicles,
gynecomastia (growth of breasts), structural changes
to the heart, heart disease and strokes, increased
erectile dysfunction, and impotence.
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