Photo Credit: Eric Kilby on Flickr.com
Many people go through life looking for quick fixes. Is there a shortcut to avoid this traffic? Why can’t I fast forward through these commercials? In the fitness world, some people try to do the same with steroids. When these folks feel they aren’t getting the “pump” they want, they turn to the drug to get big quick. Besides causing rapid muscle growth, steroids can cause a number of life-altering issues (some worse than others). You might be surprised by how much havoc this drug can wreak on that body you’re trying to perfect. The effects on both men and women can be strange and/or lethal. Check this list before you consider this “quick fix”
A Menace to Men
- Enlarged breast tissue
- Enlarged Prostate
- Severe Acne
- Often on the face, shoulders and back
- Shrunken Testicles
- Serious because this is the bodies way of decreasing sperm and testosterone production
Women Turn Manly
While steroid use is most commonly linked with men, women also take this drug with the hope of becoming more fit. While women won’t suffer from things like shrunken genitals, there are many other negative side effects that can manifest themselves with a steroid regiment. The following are some of the most common long and short term symptoms associated with steroid use.
- Depression
- Bloating- many steroids cause the body to retain sodium, and there for to puff up
- Enhance male characteristics
- Male pattern baldness
- Deepening of the voice
- Course skin
- Changes in the Reproductive System
- Cessation of the Menstrual Cycle
- Long term use can lead to certain types of reproductive cancers and even infertility
- Shrinking of the breast tissue
Side Effects to both Women and Men
- Stunted Growth (if taken in teen years)
- Cardiovascular Problems such as cardiovascular disease, premature heart conditions and even the occurrence of heart attacks, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and strokes
- Aggression (roid rage)
- Liver Damage
- Male Pattern Baldness
To put it simply, steroids are bad. They are a negative force in the fitness world and have no place in a healthy person. If you or anyone you know may have an issue with steroid abuse, please share the many health risks involved. Beyond just making muscles, steroids can affect the heart, skin hair, sexual organs, liver and mind.
Compiled with information from Steroidabuse.com
