Anabolic steroids: risks and effects
Anabolic steroids can increase muscle mass, but the price can be high: your hormones, heart, liver, skin and fertility can all take a hit. Here is a clear overview of what actually happens in your body and why getting in shape quickly is not always a win.
Why do anabolic steroids work in the first place?
Several hormones regulate protein metabolism in your body. Male sex hormones, pituitary hormones and hormones produced by the thyroid gland all play important roles. When it comes to building muscle, male sex hormones and their synthetic analogues come to the fore.
In men, male sex hormones are produced by the testes and adrenal glands. In women, they are produced by the ovaries and adrenal glands. In adult men, blood levels of these hormones are more than 100% times higher than in women. These hormones influence, among other things, sex-specific muscle development, hair growth, changes in the vocal cords and the development of the reproductive system.
Of the anabolic hormones, those most widely used without a medical indication are male sex hormones and so-called anabolic steroids that do not occur naturally in the body. The original text stated that their effect on protein metabolism could be approximately 10 times stronger. That sounds tempting, especially if you want to look bigger and stronger quickly.
The simple truth is that you may see results, but they come at a cost.
Anabolic steroids and the promise of gains
Many people who take part in sports hope steroids will do the work for them. It does not quite work that way. Muscle mass increases primarily when steroid use is combined with a balanced, nutritious diet and regular training. Without these, even a powerful hormone is no miracle solution.
Overall activity levels may increase at first. Some people also become more sexually active. Appetite often increases, and you may feel stronger during training. These effects are precisely why the benefits tend to be overestimated.
At the same time, however, changes may appear that you do not immediately take seriously. Aggression may increase. This has been referred to in the literature as “roid rage.” Your skin may become oily, and you may develop pus-filled spots, or acne. If you have previously had liver damage, your skin may turn yellow.
So what actually happens? Your body receives a strong external signal that hormone levels are high. In response, it starts dialing down its own hormone production. This is no minor issue: it disrupts the entire system.
Anabolic steroids and side effects
Sex hormones and their synthetic analogues introduced from outside the body usually reduce your body’s own production of sex hormones. They also suppress the function of the gonads. The original text stated that these changes develop over approximately 2-4 months.
With continued use, the glandular tissue that produces male sex hormones may atrophy. Viable sperm may disappear from the semen. This can lead to erectile dysfunction and infertility. The original text used a stark term for this: “chemical castration.” It sounds severe because the issue is severe.
The effects extend beyond fertility. Increased blood pressure and disturbances in heart function have been identified as risks. Developing cancer was also mentioned. When your heart rhythm, blood pressure and hormones all take a turn for the worse at once, it is no longer simply a matter of athletic fitness.
During periods of active growth, there is one more risk: the growth plates in the long bones may close prematurely. This can lead to stunted growth. For young athletes, this is particularly serious because the body is still developing, and the damage may not be reversible later.
What should women watch for?
In women, anabolic steroid use can cause very noticeable changes in appearance and the way the body functions. Physically, your body may become powerful, muscular and more masculine in appearance. Hair growth may increase. Your voice may become more masculine and deeper than usual.
Menstrual disturbances may also occur. These can range from irregular menstrual bleeding to periods stopping completely. Such changes are more than an inconvenient side effect. They indicate that your hormonal balance has been severely disrupted.
How can you properly assess the risks?
If someone tells you that “everyone uses them” or “nothing will happen if you follow the right cycle,” take a moment to pause. Such statements usually oversimplify things. People differ in their health, age, medical history and genetic makeup. The same substance does not affect everyone in the same way.
Frankly, the most dangerous part is that the initial results can seem good. Your weight goes up, your muscles look fuller, and you have more drive during training. But if your blood pressure is also rising, your skin becomes inflamed, your mood swings and your body’s own hormone production slows down, those gains start to look less convincing.
The more sensible route is less exciting but more reliable: consistent training, enough sleep, nutrition, recovery and patience. Muscle grows more slowly, but your body does not have to pay a price that cannot be undone later.
FAQ
Do anabolic steroids build muscle?
Yes, they can increase muscle tissue mass, especially when combined with training and a balanced, nutritious diet. The problem is that serious side effects can develop at the same time.
How quickly can hormonal changes develop?
The original text stated that a decline in the body’s own sex hormone production and suppression of gonadal function can develop over approximately 2-4 months.
Can the side effects be permanent?
Yes, they can. Changes affecting fertility, growth, voice, the heart and hormonal balance are particularly serious. For this reason, anabolic steroid use cannot be considered a reasonable risk to take.
Come and train clean with us! ArtGym
Illustrative image: Marek Kalmus before and after Elu24
Source: WHO – physical activity.
