Anabolic steroids, which are also referred to as steroids or anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS), have always been in demand and the history of steroid use traces back to the times of Ancient Greeks and Romans when Gladiators and bodybuilders used to ingest testicle of the sheep to optimize performance. With the changing times, there were significant changes in the names, types, ingredients, and uses of steroids. These were the times when steroid abuse or sale of low-grade steroids popularized. It was because of this that side effects of steroids started coming into the prominence. Let us read about the possible side effects of steroids to stay away and optimize benefits of steroids without any hassles.
Steroid abuse can lead to severe and irreversible health complications such as liver damage, jaundice, gynecomastia, fluid retention, renal failure, acne, oily skin, trembling, impotency, male pattern baldness, insomnia, heart attack, and even death in acute cases.
Male steroid users who abuse or use low-quality steroids can experience side effects such as reduced sperm count, impotency, increased risk for prostate cancer, and shrinking of the testicles.
Women steroid users, on the other hand, can experience side effects of steroids such as menstrual irregularities, deepening of voice, male pattern baldness, growth of facial hair, and enlargement of the clitoris.
In addition to these potential risks, steroid users making use of injectable steroids also face an increased risk of contracting or transmitting HIV/AIDS or hepatitis and liver damage.
It is also worth noting here that steroid abuse can also lead to behavioral changes such as extreme mood swings, depression, and development of suicide feeling, irritability, paranoia, jealousy, extreme irritability, delusions, impaired judgment, violence, and increased aggression. Use of steroids can also have negative effects on social relationships and sex drive along with increasing the dependency level on steroids.
Bottom Line
Anabolic steroids are exceptional products but only when recommended and used as per a qualified medical practitioner’s advice for legal purposes. Moreover, use of sub-standard steroids or getting engaged in steroid abuse can be life-endangering due to side effects of steroids, to say the least.
