The Dangers of Steroids
Steroids are most often used by male, non-professional bodybuilders in their 20s and 30s. Many believe that their use will lead to bigger, stronger muscles in a shorter period of time. While this can be the case, the dangers of steroids are many, and vastly outweigh whatever benefits their use might provide.
Read on to find out more about steroids and how they can adversely affect your health.
What Are Steroids?
Steroids are one of many bad health habits fitness enthusiasts may fall into. They mimic the effects of testosterone; increasing or maintaining male physical characteristics and promoting muscle growth.
Why Do People Use Them?
For some people getting into shape, steroids help them reach a level of physical fitness they might not accomplish on their own. Others may use them in an attempt to get a “jump-start” on their muscle growth. People in the latter group don’t usually intend to continue steroid use indefinitely but find quitting difficult.
Roughly 32% of people who misuse them end up becoming addicted and unable to quit. Those who don’t become addicted may continue steroid use for other reasons, including finding it difficult to go back to “normal” muscle growth.
What Are the Dangers of Steroids?
Using steroids exposes you to both their physical and mental side effects. When used in an athletic setting, steroids can result in serious injury, sickness, or both.
Some of the most common physical side effects of steroids include:
- Moderate to severe acne
- Stretch marks and scars
- Premature hair loss (men)
- Increased growth of facial and body hair (women)
- Deepened voice (women)
A person’s sexual health and development are also at risk. Steroid use can cause:
- Breast growth (men and women)
- Irregular periods
- Testicular shrinkage
- Infertility and/or impotence
Cardiovascular Issues
Heart attacks, artery damage, and strokes are all associated with steroid use. As are high blood pressure and decreased function of the heart’s ventricles.
Severe Liver Damage
Steroids dangers extend to the liver; use may result in significant issues. Tumors, liver damage, and peliosis hepatis may develop over time. Peliosis hepatis is a rare liver disease where blood-filled cysts form. Occasionally they burst, leading to internal bleeding and sometimes death.
Adverse Mental Health Effects
When you use steroids, you might frequently become more aggressive, combative, and confrontational. An increased level of aggression can have unexpected effects on other parts of your life. Romantic relationships can be ruined, family hurt, and if confrontations become physical, the law can be involved.
Aside from aggression, steroid use is linked to an increase in certain mental health disorders. Major depression, mania, and hypomania frequently make life a lot more difficult and might need medication to alleviate.
They’re Illegal
Last but not least, the use of steroids without a doctor’s permission is against the law. If law enforcement is aware of your steroid use, you may face legal ramifications.
Luckily, there are some legal alternatives to steroids. Stop by thehealthknowledgebase.com to learn more about steroids alternatives.
Don’t Take A Chance
Steroid use is associated with a host of negative health effects. Even if you don’t plan to use steroids indefinitely, it doesn’t take much to begin experiencing them.
If you found this article informative on the dangers of steroids, read more from our health and fitness categories to keep up to date on the latest trends.
