Steroids belong to a major class of lipids which have structures totally different from the other classes of lipids. are effective in enhancing athletic performance. The trade off, however, is the occurrence of adverse side effects which can endanger health. Since steroids have effects on several organ systems, numerous side effects can be found. In general, the orally administered anabolic steroids have more adverse effects then by other means of administration. In addition, the types of steroids are not only important for the advantageous effects, but also for the adverse effects. Especially the anabolic steroids containing a 17-alkyl group have potentially more adverse affects, in particular to the liver. One of the problems with athletes, in particular strength athletes and bodybuilders, is the use of oral and parenteral. At the same time ("stacking"), and in dosages which may be several (up to 40 times) the recommended therapeutically dose. The frequency and severity of side effects is quite variable. It depends on several factors such as type of drug, dosage, duration of use and the individual sensitivity and response.

Steroids include such well known compounds as cholesterol, sex hormones, birth control pills, cortisone, and Anabolic steroids

Who uses Anabolic Steroids?

Anabolic steroids are used because of their ability to improve performance by increasing muscle mass and decreasing body fat, so their use depends on the type of sport undertaken. It is believed that Anabolic steroids use is widespread in competitive bodybuilding. Steroid use in sport is illegal and international athletes are tested to prevent some gaining an unfair advantage Anabolic steroids are also used, especially by men, to change their body shape towards more muscular physique.

Anabolic steroids are used for treating delayed puberty; some types of impotence; wasting of the body due to such conditions as HIV; some types of anemia; osteoporosis (brittle bones in menopausal women) and for itching caused by a liver condition called primary biliary obstruction.

How are Anabolic Steroids Used and Abused?

Anabolic steroids can be taken orally, by injection or in creams or gels. Dosages prescribed by doctors will depend on the medical condition, its severity and age of the patient.

In the illegal use of this group of steroids dosages are highly variable and can be 10 to 40, sometimes a 100 times higher than the recommended dose.

Two or more oral and inject able types of Anabolic steroids are often used. This is called 'stacking'. There is a belief that two or more interacting steroids produced an improved result.

So called 'pyramid' doses of Anabolic steroids are also used in 6 to 12 week cycles where the 'stacked' steroids begin with smaller doses that slowly increase, reach a peak then slowly decrease and stop. There is a drug free period after this before the cycle starts again.

It is believed by arranging the doses and drugs in this way that the body is allowed time to adjust and avoid the well documented side effects so the body can return to normal production of hormones. This belief has not been scientifically verified so relies on the illegal users’ ability to report accurately on their experiences. We do know that Anabolic steroids abuse can affect that ability.

Side Effects of Anabolic Steroids:

The Anabolic steroidsare serious and not uncommon. In general oral anabolic steroids have more side effects and those containing 17-alky have potentially more adverse side effects o f Anabolic steroids side effects are reversible but some can cause permanent damage.

Research especially those studying hospitalized patients; show the liver can suffer serious effects from the use of anabolic steroids. Anabolic steroids reduce the livers excretory function. This is particularly so with the steroids containing 17-alky. The liver can suffer from a bleeding cystic condition that is potentially fatal. Use of steroids has also been linked to liver cancer, although this is very rare.

Anabolic steroids and the Male Reproductive System

As Anabolic steroids are so strongly associated with male traits such as strength and muscles it seems tragic that the side effects of the drug are:

Increased erectile dysfunction, and impotence, even though sexual desire is increased.

Gynecomastia (growth of the breasts) a condition that is generally irreversible and plastic surgery is required to remove the breasts.

Atrophy or shrinkage of the testicles can occur and is reported usually with high dose use of anabolic steroids.

AS are derivatives of testosterone, which has strong effects. For this reason, it will not be surprising that side effects include the reproductive system. Application of anabolic steroids. leads to supra-physiological concentrations of testosterone or testosterone derivatives. Via the feed back loop, the production and release of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulation hormone (FSH) is decreased.

Prolonged use of anabolic steroids in relatively high doses will lead to decreased serum concentrations of LH, FSH, and testosterone.

There are strong indications that the duration, dosage, and chemical structure of the anabolic steroids are important for the serum concentrations of gonadotropins. A moderate decrease of gonadotropin secretion causes atrophy of the testes, as well as a decrease of sperm cell production.

Anabolic steroids and the Female Reproductive System

In the normal female body small amounts of testosterone are produced, and as in males, artificially increasing levels by administration of anabolic steroids\ will affect the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. An increase in circulating androgens will inhibit the production and release of LH and FSH, resulting in a decline in serum levels of LH, FSH, estrogens and progesterone. This may result in inhibition of follicle formation, ovulation, and irregularities of the menstrual cycle. The irregularities of the menstrual cycle are characterized by a prolongation of the follicular phase, shortening of the luteal phase or amenorrhea. Although these changes are generally more pronounced in younger women, large inter-individual responsiveness to anabolic steroids exists. The effects of anabolic steroids dosages as generally used in sport, on the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis in females are hardly studied.

Other side effects of Anabolic steroids use in females are increased sexual desire and hypertrophy of the clitoris. The few systematic studies that have been conducted suggest that the effects are similar to the effects in patients, treated with anabolic steroids.

Anabolic steroids use by pregnant women may lead to growth retardation of the female fetus. Anabolic steroid use may even lead to fetal death. However, these side effects have not been studied systematically. It is likely that the severity of the side effects is related to the dosage, duration of use and the type of the drug.

Additional side effects of anabolic steroids specifically in women are acne, hair loss, withdrawal of the frontal hair line, male pattern boldness, lowering of the voice, increased facial hair growth, and breast atrophy. The lowering of the voice, decreased breast size, clitoris hypertrophy and hair loss are generally irreversible. Females using Anabolic Steroids may develop masculine facial traits, male muscularity, and coarsening of the skin.

When anabolic steroids are administered in growing children side effects include virilization, Gynecomastia, and premature closure of the epiphysis, resulting in cessation of longitudinal growth.

Psychological Effects of Steroids:

Administration of Anabolic steroids may affect behavior. Increased testosterone levels in the blood are associated with masculine behavior, aggressiveness and increased sexual desire. Increased aggressiveness may be beneficial for athletic training, but may also lead to overt violence outside the gym or the track. There are reports of violent, criminal behavior in individuals taking steroids. Other side effects of anabolic steroids are euphoria, confusion, sleeping disorders, pathological anxiety, paranoia, and hallucinations.

Anabolic steroid users may become dependent on the drug, with symptoms of withdrawal after cessation of drug use. The withdrawal symptoms consist of aggressive and violent behavior, mental depression with suicidal behavior, mood changes, and in some cases acute psychosis. At present it is unknown which individuals are particularly at risk. It is likely that great individual differences in responsiveness may exist. Some individuals try to minimize the withdrawal affects by administration of HCG, in order to enhance endogenous testosterone production. However, it is unknown in how far the HCG administration is successful in ameliorating the withdrawal effects.

Side Effects of Steroids:

In addition to the mentioned Anabolic steroids side effects several others have been reported. In both males and females acne are frequently reported, as well as hypertrophy of sebaceous glands, increased tallow excretion, hair loss, and alopecia. There is some evidence that anabolic steroid abuse may affect the immune system, leading to a decreased effectiveness of the defense system. Steroid use decreases the glucose tolerance, while there is an increase in insulin resistance. These changes mimic Type II diabetes. These changes seem to be reversible after abstention from the drugs.

Anabolic steroids use may affect thyroid function. Administration of steroid has been found to decrease thyroid stimulation hormone (TSH), and the products of the thyroid gland. In addition, thyroid binding globulin (TBG). These changes reversed within weeks after discontinuation of AS use.

A serious consequence of AS use may be the multiple drug abuse. On the one hand athletes use different kinds of drugs in an attempt to counterbalance the side effects: HCG, thyroid hormones, anti-estrogens, anti-depressants. On the other hand people try to support the anabolic effects of Anabolic steroids by using additional anabolic hormones as for instance: different types of steroids at the same time, growth hormone, insulin. Because most of this takes place outside the official medical circuit, it is likely that these practices may lead to serious condition

Some commonly used steroids:

Ephedrine is a steroid amine that is similar in structure and effect to other synthetic steroids such as amphetamine. It is commonly used as an appetite suppressant, stimulant or as a concentration aid. Although ephedrine is not in itself an illegal steroid, its use in sports is strictly prohibited as its stimulant properties give athletes an unfair edge.

Nandrolone

Nandrolone is not an illegal steroid outside the sportive world, as it is sold commercially (known as Deca Durabolin). Nandrolone shares most positive and negative effects found with other potent, illegal drugs, such as muscle growth stimulation, increase in red blood cell number, heightened bone density, erectile dysfunctions, cardiovascular disruptions and so forth. Because Nandrolone is also produced by the body in small amounts, the simple detection of this illegal steroid does not necessarily earn you a ban as an athlete. In order for an athlete to be considered subject to doping, his urine test must show over 2 grams of Nandrolone per ml.

Testosterone

Testosterone is a steroid hormone produced by the human body, primarily in the testes of men and ovaries of females, which regulates several bodily functions such as libido, fatigue and energy levels, protection against osteoporosis and a part of the immune system. Tinkering with Testosterone levels can produce increased strength, endurance and muscular development, for which reason it is considered an illegal steroid in most sports. Testosterone is one of the oldest illegal steroids used in sports, the first recorded signs of use being in ancient Greece during the first Olympics, where athletes reportedly ate sheep testes months on before the events, in order to boost their power and muscle mass. Common testosterone esters include Testosterone enanthate, testosterone cypionate and Testosterone propionate.

Injectable Steroids:

There are two popular primary types of injectable steroids in use today. Corticosteroids are for reducing inflammation in a joint or area, and anabolic steroids, the type most often heard about because of their illegal use by some bodybuilders and athletes. Both types of steroids are controlled substances and available by prescription only in the US and Canada, or at least in theory. Corticosteroids are rarely found outside legal use boundaries, nurses or doctors inject a patient with the corticosteroid and that is that. On the other hand injectable anabolic steroids have been the topic of much debate and a have seen great deal of use among professional athletes and bodybuilders despite being banned by both sporting and legal agencies.

The common use of injectable steroids among athletes and their seeming preference for them seems is related to the life of the injectable steroid. The injection lasts longer and some claim that injectable anabolic steroids also do not have the side effects that 17 alpha alkylation type steroids do. Some claim that site injections where they want to “pump” up are effective. There does not seem to be any clinical support for that though.

Testosterone is usually given as an injection since it metabolizes poorly otherwise. Aside from the issues presented by untrained persons, performing a medical procedure that requires at least a little training, a consideration for injectable < steroids is that they tend to stay in the body longer and the side effects from sanabolic steroids can last a lifetime unlike the career or the muscles.

Oral Steroids:

Oral steroids have a shorter half life, meaning the metabolites do not stay in your system for long. In fact, it is this alone that makes many athletes choose oral steroids over injectable steroids, especially if the must undergo anti doping screen tests.

No steroid is without its drawbacks and that includes oral steroids, which are stressful on your liver, especially with c-17 alpha alkylation’s which is used to improve absorption of oral steroids. If these chemicals weren’t used the anabolic steroids are often not able to get past the first pass metabolism in the lifer, and therefore the anabolic effects would not be enjoyed. The liver plays a vital role in the body clearing out waste products, and storing important nutrients. On top of the side effects, oral steroids shut down your body's hormone production. This is why most users will include a steroid, such as, testosterone with the oral steroid, so the body's testosterone levels are back up.

Steroids In Sports

Steroids, furthermore understand as juice extract, equipment, and "Roids," has become a broadly contentious and awkward subject in the sports commerce today. It should arrive as no shock that many expert and even amateur athletes are utilising Steroids, the tales and items are all over the news.

Well why manage these athletes use Steroids? The base line is that they manage work, anything an athletes goal. Steroids can substantially boost power, sinew dimensions, and muscular performance. It furthermore assists a large deal with recovery and halting muscular breakdown which is why it is well liked amidst some endurance athletes.