Dealing With the Side Effects of Anabolic Steroids

Table of Contents

What are Anabolic steroids?

Anabolic steroids are defined as follows:

Anabolic steroids are hormones that are synthetically produced and that aid in the development and repair of muscular tissue in athletes. Testosterone is a male sex hormone, and they are designed to look like it.

It is possible to utilize anabolic steroids for medicinal purposes. They are prescribed by doctors to correct hormonal imbalances in the female population (such as delayed puberty in males or loss of muscle caused by diseases like cancer or HIV).

It is also possible to abuse anabolic steroids. People who unlawfully take anabolic steroids often do so in order to enhance lean muscle mass, decrease body fat, and speed up the healing process after an accident or surgery.

In accordance with the brand, anabolic steroids may be found in a variety of forms including pills, capsules, and injectable solutions.

Steroids are often referred to as ‘roids,’ ‘gear,’ and ‘juice’ in slang.

What are the effects of anabolic steroids on the body?

Generally speaking, those who take anabolic steroids see a significant boost in muscular strength fairly fast.

In general, this implies that individuals are able to exercise more often and for longer lengths of time, while also recovering more quickly from their workouts.

This may often result in a significant increase in lean muscle tissue.

Fluid retention is also frequent, and it may cause muscles to seem mushy or bloated as a result.

Anabolic steroids have a number of negative consequences.

Depending on the individual, anabolic steroid usage may have a variety of impacts. Some persons may have the following symptoms:

Retention of fluid (also called water retention or oedema).
Injection of steroids causes nerve damage, resulting in difficulties sleeping.
Irritability, mood swings, anger, or sadness are all symptoms of bipolar disorder.
Increased sex drive (libido).
Skin changes – acne that leads in scarring, and an increase in colds.

Effects of Anabolic steroids over a prolonged period of time

The use of anabolic steroids may result in a variety of unpleasant and sometimes permanent negative effects, including the following:

Injury to testicles or ovaries
Scarring may occur as a result of severe acne.
Increased triglycerides in the blood
Hypertension is a condition in which blood pressure is elevated (hypertension)
Delusions of being superhuman or indestructible might result in tendons being injured because they can not keep up with the increased muscular power.
Muscle tremors and trembling are experienced.
Injuries to the nerves caused by needle usage may lead to disorders such as sciatica.
Infections such as hepatitis B and C, HIV, and tetanus may be acquired via the use of contaminated needles.

When anabolic steroids are taken by the majority of athletes, the adverse effects of anabolic steroids seem to be limited. Even among people who use high dosages for extended periods of time, clinical data indicates that the majority of the short-term negative effects are reversible in the vast majority of cases. Some of the most significant adverse effects, such as hepatotoxicity and elevated blood cholesterol, may be reduced with careful monitoring, dietary modifications, and medication as necessary.

It has been demonstrated in a series of clinical studies investigating the use of anabolic steroids and testosterone as male contraceptives that there are no significant side effects associated with the long-term administration of low to moderate amounts of testosterone and some anabolic steroids in low to moderate doses. Many studies have been conducted and are currently being conducted by the World Health Organization and independent researchers using various combinations of testosterone, anabolic steroids (especially 19-nortestosterone), medroxyprogesterone acetate and methyltestosterone, Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone agonists and antagonists, and Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone agonists and antagonists. Numerous studies have shown that some combinations of these medications may drastically diminish sperm count while causing no major short- or long-term negative effects (at least for as long as the various studies ran). In these investigations, normal sperm production returned to normal quickly after the different chemicals were removed from the equation.

In general, anabolic steroid side effects may be divided into two categories: physical and psychological. One category of side effects is characterized by an amplification of the pharmacological activities of anabolic steroids compared to what is anticipated. Gynecomastia, fluid retention, acne, changes in libido, oligospermia, and increased aggression are all possible adverse effects of anabolic steroids in males that are thought to be connected to their hormones.

When it comes to women, amenorrhea and other monthly abnormalities are a frequent occurrence. In addition, the usage of anabolic steroids may have the potential to have virilizing effects. Depending on the severity of the effects, such as coarsening and eventually deepening of the voice, hirsutism, male pattern baldness, reduction of breast size, and clitoral enlargement, they may or may not be partially reversed by discontinuing the use of anabolic steroids and if necessary, by using androgen antagonists such as cyproterone acetate.

However, in the vast majority of men, once anabolic steroids are stopped, the hormonal parameters always revert to normal, with the exception of athletes who have used huge doses of anabolic steroids for extended periods of time, which may not be the case. Some of these sportsmen have testicular atrophy as well as refractoriness of the hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis, which is common in athletes. Sometimes, the serum testosterone fails to return to normal, necessitating the need of long-term testosterone replacement treatment.

Those who suffer from bad effects that are not normally connected with either the anabolic or androgenic properties of the drugs in question fall into the third group of adverse effects. Even though there is controversy concerning the role which anabolic steroids played through their creation and evolution, such complications would include more than just cosmetic changes, and to include changes in serum cholesterol, cardiovascular disease, prostatic cancer, kidney dysfunction, disturbances in carbohydrate metabolism, emotional disturbances, increased incidence of musculoskeletal injuries, cerebrovascular accidents, and hepatic dysfunction (with rare instances of hepatic cirrhosis) among others. The fact that this second category of negative impacts poses a serious danger to an athlete’s health has been misinterpreted and sensationalized in both the media and certain scientific publications, despite the fact that it is factual in both situations, is a source of contention among athletes. Already established is that more controlled long-term studies are required in order to appropriately evaluate the risks associated with the continued use of anabolic steroids. However, this has not yet been done.

It has been my experience that comparing these potentially life-threatening adverse effects to the side effects of oral contraceptives, especially those used prior to the 1980s when larger hormone dosages were used, may be extremely useful in putting them into perspective. For the most part, the negative consequences associated with low to moderate doses of anabolic steroids are comparable to the bad effects associated with the use of oral contraceptives by female athletes. While there are some differences, such as the fact that anabolic steroids are primarily used by male athletes, the risks associated with this widely used and widely accepted method of contraception, which are well described in the Report on Oral Contraceptives, 1985 by the Special Advisory Committee on Reproductive Physiology to the Health Protection Branch, Department of Health and Welfare, Canada, are strikingly similar to the risks associated with anabolic steroid use, although there are some differences, such as the fact that anabolic steroids are (although use among women is increasing in the power sports such as weightlifting, powerlifting, bodybuilding, and the track and field events that require explosive strength).

Recent research indicates that the use of oral contraceptives is linked with comparable adverse effects, including hepatic illness (including hepatic cell adenomas and liver cancer, as well as changes in blood cholesterol levels. And even the potentially fatal peliosis hepatitis, which has previously been observed in individuals using androgenic steroid medicine or who have TB, has lately been identified as a possible effect of long-term usage of oral contraceptives.

We may also divide side effects into two categories: short-term repercussions of anabolic steroid use and long-term implications of anabolic steroid use. While many of the short-term repercussions are clinically obvious (particularly those resulting in changes in the female secondary sexual traits and the feminization of the male), the long-term consequences are more difficult to predict and quantify. Among those who are genetically susceptible, chronic use of anabolic steroids has been linked to the development of cirrhosis of the liver, peliosis of the liver, hepatitis B and C, primary hepatoma, atherosclerosis and cardiac disease (including heart failure), diabetes, prostatic cancer, and cerebral vascular accidents.

Despite this, there is no convincing clinical or experimental data to suggest that the use of anabolic steroids by healthy sportsmen has any influence on their lifespan, or that continued usage leads to disorders of the many organs and systems listed above. I find it intriguing that, despite the fact that athletes have been using considerable levels of anabolic steroids for more than three decades, we have not seen any major long-term consequences on athletes who took anabolic steroids in the fifties, sixties, and seventies.

It is possible, however, that the shifting pattern of anabolic steroid usage during the last decade – in which anabolic steroids are being used more extensively, at greater doses, and for longer periods of time – may disclose more serious concerns in the long run. There are several researches now underway that may throw some light on the long-term effects of anabolic steroid usage. These studies are still in the early stages of development. According to one research, which was announced in 1987, football players and powerlifters will be examined for probable long-term consequences of anabolic steroid usage during 1970s competition.

Read also about safest anabolic steroids

Is it possible to get addicted to anabolic steroids?

Drug-seeking behavior, continued use even when adverse effects are experienced, and physical withdrawal symptoms including mood swings, fatigue, restlessness, loss of appetite, insomnia, decreased sex drive, and steroid cravings are all signs of physical and psychological dependence on anabolic steroids in some individuals. Severe withdrawal might result in sadness and, in extreme cases, suicide. When a steroid user quits using it, depressive symptoms might last for up to a year after the person stops taking it.

When anabolic addiction is severe, it may be necessary to use supportive therapies as well as pharmacological interventions. Treatment for anabolic steroid withdrawal using medications allows the body’s normal hormonal system to re-establish itself. The use of other drugs is limited to particular withdrawal symptoms. Antidepressants, for example, may be taken to treat depressive episodes, while analgesics, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, may be recommended to treat headaches, muscle and joint pains, and other symptoms. Some patients may also be subjected to cognitive behavioral therapy.

Many of the athletes who take larger doses of two or more anabolic steroids for extended periods of time are aware of the hazards associated with the usage of anabolic steroids and are cautious about using them. These athletes, whether under medical supervision or not, often use techniques and substances to mitigate or eliminate the negative consequences of their training. Unfortunately, only a small number of athletes have access to competent medical treatment and follow-up.

Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Testicular Dysfunction and Anabolic Steroids

It is possible, however, that the shifting pattern of anabolic steroid usage during the last decade – in which anabolic steroids are being used more extensively, at greater doses, and for longer periods of time – may disclose more serious concerns in the long run. There is several research now underway that may throw some light on the long-term effects of anabolic steroid usage. These studies are still in the early stages of development. According to one research, which was announced in 1987, football players and power lifters will be examined for probable long-term consequences of anabolic steroid usage during 1970s competition.

Dealing With Side Effects

While there are several potential short- and long-term repercussions of anabolic steroid usage, the majority of these side effects may be avoided or at the very least mitigated by the prudent use of, or if required, the withdrawal of, the drug (s). Other precautions may also be taken to reduce or prevent the likelihood of side effects and their consequences from occurring. The overall hazards linked with the use of anabolic steroids are not nearly as severe as the athletic federations and the media would have us think, according to research.

Within 3 – 6 months (depending on the duration, kind and doses of steroids taken, as discussed above) after ceasing the steroids, the majority of men’s studies have shown that any negative effects have been reversed and that normal testicular function and sperm count have been restored.

Avoiding Side Effects

In general, athletes understand the negative consequences that anabolic steroids may have on their bodies and often take additional medications or supplements to mitigate or mitigate the severity of these side effects. For example, male sportsmen utilize tamoxifen (Nolvadex) to diminish the estrogenic effects of testosterone and various anabolic steroids that aromatize in order to improve their performance. Acne may be treated with tetracycline and other antibiotics (as well as acne creams and other topical treatments). Women attempt to prevent the masculinizing effects of testosterone by consuming fewer androgenic chemicals and by using birth control tablets that have a strong estrogenic and a low progestational impact (using oral contraceptives in which the progestational component has minimal androgenic properties). It is possible to reduce the hepatotoxic effects of oral 17a-alkylated anabolic steroids by supplementing with evening primrose oil, glutathione, and hepatoprotectives derived from plants and herbs.

Use in a Safe Manner

In order to prevent side effects, the strength of the steroid drug must be adjusted in accordance with the thickness and sensitivity of the skin region to be treated before administration.

Not all anabolic steroids are created equal: There are more than 30 distinct glucocorticoid medications available, each with a different strength. They are subdivided into the following categories:

Topical steroids of low potencies, such as hydrocortisone and prednisolone, are commonly used.
Topical steroids of a medium potency, such as prednicarbate and methylprednisolone aceponate.
Topical steroids with high potencies, such as betamethasone valerate and mometasone furoate, are available.
Topical steroids with very high potency, such as clobetasol propionate, are available.
Steroids are more effective in areas where the skin is thin and sensitive, such as on the face.

Eyelids and genitals are examples of areas that are sensitive to touch. The most sensitive areas are the face, the inner sides of joints such as the back of the knee, the insides of the elbows and upper arms, the armpits, the eyelids, and the genitals.

Low- to medium-potency medications are typically sufficient for treating the skin on the inner sides of the joints, as well as the skin on the face and neck. Only low-potency medications should be used to treat the eyelids and genitals of the patient. When it comes to treating the scalp, as well as the hands and feet, stronger medications are often required. In certain locations, since the skin is rather thick, only little quantities of the medication may penetrate to the deeper layers of the skin. However, even if high-potency medicine is used on specific sections of the body, the danger of skin thinning is quite minimal in these areas.

Aside from the strength of the drug and the thickness of the skin, the following elements influence the effects of a steroid treatment:

In this case, the dose..

The nature of the product: It is worth noting that steroid ointments are somewhat more powerful than steroid creams or lotions. This is due to the fact that steroids are more readily absorbed via the skin when given topically.

It is used in the following ways: It is more effective for topical corticosteroids to be applied to moist skin – for example, after bathing – than it is to be administered to dry skin. If you additionally apply a bandage or a moist wrap to the affected region of skin, it will absorb far more of the medication. It is particularly crucial to keep this in mind when treating small toddlers whose skin is covered by a diaper throughout the treatment (nappy).

When it comes to applying steroid drugs to their skin, many individuals tend to use either too much or too little, either because they are unsure of how to apply them appropriately or because they are concerned about the potential negative consequences. You may estimate how much to use by referring to the fingertip unit (FTU): Approximately the same quantity of ointment may be applied to the final portion of an adult’s finger. This is around 0.5 gram in weight. One-half of an FTU is sufficient to cover a surface area of skin the size of the palm of one’s hand plus the insides of the fingers of one’s right hand.

Anabolic Steroid Abuse: What Is Being Done?

In order to assist reduce anabolic steroid usage in schools and communities, awareness and instructional measures are being undertaken. These programs, which are supported by the Oregon Health & Science University programs, teach athletes that they do not need steroids to build powerful muscles or improve athletic performance. The Adolescents Training and Learning to Avoid Steroids (ATLAS) and Athletes Targeting Healthy Exercise and Nutrition Alternatives (ATHENA) programs, which are supported by the Oregon Health & Science University programs, have been scientifically proven to be effective.

These programs feature:

Healthful habits are bolstered by weight-training and nutritional supplementation
Steroid usage is less likely, as is the use of marijuana and alcohol, driving under the influence, and other risky activities.

Effects of Continuous suppression of HPTA

To a person, the majority of the time, the serum hormone levels return to normal within a short period of time.

hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular dysfunction

However, using significant amounts and for long periods of time of oral anabolic steroids may result in a chronic impairment of testicular endocrine function, which may be caused by hypothalamic-pituitary dysfunction or, in rare cases, intrinsic testicular dysfunction. It seems that long-term suppression of testicular steroidogenesis causes not just hypothalamic-pituitary dysfunction but also gonadal impairment, which may not be as reversible as is often assumed at this time, according to the athletes I have seen. As a consequence, according to the research, testosterone and anabolic steroids seem to have direct effects on all components of the HPTA, as well as on supra hypothalamic pathways.

In many cases of continuous suppression of the HPTA, the serum testosterone level seems to be reset, with LH and FSH levels returning to normal levels after the anabolic medicines have been discontinued, but with a much-reduced blood testosterone level. As a result of the low testosterone levels in the blood, it would be reasonable to predict elevated LH and FSH levels under normal conditions. Generally speaking, though, this is not the situation. In my research, I discovered that only a small percentage of HPTA suppressed people had low serum testosterone levels that were associated with high gonadotropin levels, which was surprising to me. In these patients, the hypothalamic/pituitary function was normal; the underlying problem was that they had testicular dysfunction. A tiny proportion of these people were found to have irreversible testicular dysfunction, which was discovered in the study.