Dangers of Anabolic Steroids
The dangers of anabolic steroids are what make the use of such hormones such a controversial topic. The idea of keeping competitive sports on a level playing field is also a primary issue, but it is the dangers of anabolic steroids that take precedence. Unfortunately, when it comes to the dangers of anabolic steroids, nine times out of ten they’re dramatically exaggerated. If that’s not bad enough, they’re also often made up. There are those who hate anabolic steroids with such a strong passion that they regularly state specific dangers of anabolic steroids that are impossible. If we were to say, “if you drink water your head will explode,” if this statement were made would you believe us just because we said it? Would you not question it and perhaps take a look at the facts for yourself? Of course you would, but when it comes to the dangers of anabolic steroids, most people tend to believe whatever they’re told so as long as the individual speaking has the title “Doctor” or “Expert” by his name.
Through our discussion, we want to look at the dangers of anabolic steroids. We’re not going to go into too much detail about the standard, possible adverse effects; you can see all of those in the side effects link. We are, however, going to dispel the myths and go over possible adverse effects due to long term irresponsible use.
The Dangers of Anabolic Steroids – Death:
The first batches of commercially sold synthetic testosterone hit the shelves in 1937. Since that time, there has never been a single recorded death
directly linked to anabolic steroid use. If the dangers of anabolic steroids truly included death, you’d think with closing in on a century of use there
would be at least one dead body. Even if there were a few, let’s say 10,000, that still wouldn’t come close to the number of people who die due to the use
of NSAID’s every year. NSAID’s like Aspirin and Tylenol claim more than 16,000 lives in the U.S. alone each and every year. We should be clear, it is
possible for someone to die due to improper injection practices, such as getting a horrific infection by using a dirty needle. However, steroid users are
not like heroine addicts, and most will use new, never before used needles every time. Death could also occur due to an unsterile product purchased on the
street. However, this is not only rare but has nothing to do with the actual steroid in question.
The Dangers of Anabolic Steroids – Stroke, Heart Attack & Cancer:
The dangers of anabolic steroids do not include strokes, heart attacks of cancer. There is no medical or scientific proof or one recorded case where any of those things occurred due to the use of anabolic steroids. Feel free to search this out, after you’ve spent fifty years searching be sure to come back and tell us what you found.
It is true, the use of some anabolic steroids can cause prostate enlargement. This will normally take severe steroid abuse to occur with the right
steroids. It could also occur due to the use of anabolic steroids even during responsible supplementation if there is an underlying prostate issue.
However, prostate enlargement does not mean you have cancer. Further, prostate enlargement that is caused by the use of anabolic steroids can be remedied
in most cases through the use of a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor. As for strokes and heart attacks, the use of some anabolic steroids can skew your lipid
profiles. The effects they have on cholesterol will be dependent on the steroids in question. However, in most cases, if the individual has healthy
cholesterol levels he can control his cholesterol levels through diet and exercise. The same can be said when we talk about blood pressure. Control the use
of your steroids, supplement responsibly and live a healthy lifestyle and most will not have any problem whatsoever.
The Dangers of Anabolic Steroids – Hepatitis, HIV & AIDS:
If you inject anabolic steroids with a needle that was used by someone else and that individual had hepatitis, HIV or AIDS, sure, you might contract one of those conditions. However, anabolic steroids in no way can cause such related ailments and to imply otherwise is nothing short of idiotic. If you inject anything using someone else’s needle that had one of these diseases, you’ll fall prey to the disease, but that has nothing to do with the substance.
The Dangers of Anabolic Steroids – Roid Rage:
Of all the dangers of anabolic steroids, this is perhaps not only the most commonly misunderstood, but quite frankly the most ridiculous. Every study ever performed on anabolic steroids has come to the same conclusion; roid rage is a myth. Numerous studies have shown that the changes in the brain are so small due to the use of anabolic steroids that they cannot be measured if they exist at all. Anabolic steroids do not have the ability to change your personality, alter your perception of right and wrong or take away your ability to exercise your free will by your own control. In fact, in order for the U.S. congress to place these items on the controlled substances list, such conditions were required for them to be able to legally do so. Calling on the testimony of numerous government health agencies, the testimony desired by congress was found lacking. Of course, they ignored the testimony as it was not in their favor, but that does not mean the dangers of steroids include anything like rage.
It is true, the use of some anabolic steroids can increase aggression, but aggression in of itself is not a bad thing. What we do with aggression is what makes it right or wrong. For the sane individual, this increase in aggression can be very valuable in the gym or on the field. However, most men won’t notice a big increase in aggression regardless of the steroid they use. On the other side of the coin, if you’re not a sane individual, if you’re already a violent jackass, it is possible anabolic steroids could make you a more aggressive violent jackass; it didn’t create this behavior, you were already that man.
Actual Dangers of Anabolic Steroids – Adolescents:
The dangers of anabolic steroids as it pertains to children are very real. There are specific cases when adolescents can benefit from steroid use in a therapeutic setting; however, this is rare. The problem with adolescent use is that their endocrine system is too fragile. It is underdeveloped. Children who supplement with anabolic steroids will damage their young, fragile androgen system, and in many cases, irreversibly. There is also the issue of closing growth plates or stunting growth, however, there’s no scientific proof to this. In fact, some anabolic steroids are actually used to treat growth deficiencies of this nature. This does not make steroids safe for children, but when discussing the dangers of steroids let’s always discuss the right ones. There’s no need to make stuff up.
Actual Dangers of Anabolic Steroids – Women:
In many ways the dangers of anabolic steroids for women are the same as they are for men. The issues surrounding cholesterol, blood pressure and liver toxicity due to the use of oral steroids are the same for men as they are for women. However, women must also concern themselves with the possibility of virilization. When it comes to the dangers of anabolic steroids, perhaps “danger” isn’t the best word when talking about virilization. Virilization symptoms are not what we’d call life threatening by any means, but they can destroy a woman’s femininity.
Virilization refers to the promotion of masculine like traits in women. This is due to the androgenic nature of anabolic steroids and can include body hair growth, a deepening of the vocal chords and clitoral enlargement. The dangers of steroids for women can also include virilization of the fetus, and such will produce birth defects. It should go without saying, women who are pregnant should not supplement with anabolic steroids. Women, especially with low body fat levels, will often find menstrual cycle irregularity to be common as well as breast reduction. If you are a female and wish to supplement with anabolic steroids, you must choose steroids with low androgenic activity, supplement with low doses and be willing to stop if symptoms occur. Most women who do so will be fine.
Actual Dangers of Anabolic Steroids – Adult Men:
The dangers of anabolic steroids in regards to male use can all be seen by following the side effects link.
