Ergogenic Aids
Anabolic Steroids
About
Anabolic steroids are steroids that include male sex hormone testosterone and dihydrotestosterone; causes the body to mature during puberty, and other agents that behave like these sex hormones. These steroids allow development of male sexual characteristics and sex organs. These steroids trigger growth in muscle, bones and tissues.
Purpose of use?
- Medical Use: They can be legally prescribed to treat circumstances resulting from steroid hormone deficiency, such as delayed puberty, aside from diseases that consequence in loss of lean muscle mass, such as cancer and AIDS.
- Personal Use: Some athletes, bodybuilders, and others, abuse these drugs in an attempt to enhance performance and/or improve their physical appearance.
(How to Use) Method One: Injections
- Injections: the drug is injected into the blood stream or muscle with the needle.
(How to Use) Method Two: Pills/Gels
- Pills: the drug is taken orally.
(How to Use) Method Three: Creme
- Creams: applied to the designated area.
Heath Risks
Short-Term and Long-Term Effects
Men:
Short-term:
• Reduced sperm amount
• Damage to the heart
• Ineffectiveness
• Pain while urinating
Long-term:
• Liver disease or liver cancer
• Breast development
• Shrinkage of the testicles
Women - If a woman uses steroids, some "masculinization" effects may occur:
Short-term:
• Reduction of the breasts
• Extreme hair growth
Long-term:
• Voice deepening
• Clitoris enlarged
• Irregular menstrual cycles
Physical Effects on Males and Females
Continuous use of anabolic steroids can reason the following effects in both genders:
Short-term:
• Acne
• Fluid preservation
• Quick weight gain
• Increased blood pressure and cholesterol levels
• Insomnia
• Headaches
• Reduced sexual performance
• Increased muscle size
• Feet and ankles swelling
• Enhanced healing
• Improved appetite
Long-term:
• Blood coagulation
• Heart attacks
• Coagulation disorders
• Cardiovascular, liver, and reproductive organ damage
• Reduced sexual performance
• Underdeveloped development in youths
• Increased risk of injuring ligaments, tendons and muscles
• Bacterial infections, swellings, redness, and HIV/AIDS (when injecting)
• Increased muscle size
Is this legal?
- It is legal if you are prescribed it for medical treatments such as late maturity during puberty. Other purposes of these steroids can be for helping patients gain weight after a severe illness, injury or a continuous infection.
- They are illegal when you are not prescribed the steroids by a medical official. Also, they are illegal if they are used as a performance enhancing substance, such as, to increase muscle strength.
How are they tested?
There are 2 very efficient ways an individual can be test positive for anabolic steroids.
- A urine sample test
- A hair-follicle test
Each of these test provide officials with information such as testosterone and epitestosterone levels. If their levels are tested to be very high, then they fail the test and are recognized as a "cheater".
How does it benefit the athletes?
- Improves physical appearance
- Increases muscle mass
- Increases strength and endurance
- They can train longer
- Boosts sporting performance
- Faster recovery
Athlete Drug Abuser
- Shawne Merriman: NFL player for the San Diego Chargers, Shawne Merriman was drafted in the first round (12th Overall) in the 2005 NFL draft out of the University of Maryland. In 2006, he was given a 4 game suspension by the NFL for testing positive for an anabolic steroid. His suspension has led to the NFL rule that no player that has tested positive for steroids can be selected to the Pro Bowl or given any performance awards in the year they test positive.
Work Cited
Anabolic Steroids. (2012, July 1). Retrieved January 8, 2016.
Anabolic Steroids | CESAR. (2013, October 29). Retrieved January 8, 2016.
Anderson, L. (2014, May 4). Anabolic Steroids - Abuse, Side Effects and Safety. Retrieved January 8, 2016.
Steroid Detection Times - Steroid .com. (2001). Retrieved January 11, 2016.