The steroids are testosterone derivatives of synthetic steroids which increase the capacity of muscle to synthesize proteins,
They cause the increase in muscle mass much more quickly than under normal training conditions, but when used in excess, they can cause a series of undesirable effects, including death.
Artificially developed during the Second World War, anabolic steroids were used by combatant soldiers to increase aggression and to recover victims of this violence. In the 1950s, they also began to emerge in the sports world.
Uses of anabolic steroids
Anabolic steroids can be indicated by doctors for the treatment of some diseases that wear down muscles and bones and their use needs constant monitoring.
Among the diseases that can be treated with anabolic steroids we can mention hypogonadism (insufficiency in the production of testosterone) and various atrophies, either due to other evils or due to age.
In recent decades, however, these substances have come to be used indiscriminately by healthy people who aim to rapidly increase their muscle mass. In contrast, they end up interfering with the overall balance of the organism and the health of the individual.
Currently, due to excessive consumption, most of these drugs enter Brazil illegally, without knowing for sure their origin. The false promise of gaining muscles without exercise causes users to resort to even veterinary anabolic steroids, without thinking about the risk that they can cause in humans.
It is important to note that these substances do not make the muscle grow overnight, but they swell. It is for this reason that when stopping use, the muscles lose volume. This makes users dependent on the drug, who are afraid of losing their shape and do not stop using it.
Side effects
Anabolic steroids can even increase respiratory levels, endurance, strength and muscle mass, but the side effects that can arise with their indiscriminate are, in the short and long term, very serious.
Behavioral, endocrine, cardiovascular, liver and musculoskeletal disorders are some of these.
Here’s where these hormones can act and what their consequences are:
| Local | Possible consequences |
| Externally | Acne, yellowing of the skin and eyes, bad breath and infections. |
| Central nervous system | Increased aggression, impulsivity, nausea, hyperactivity, insomnia, headache, depression, altered libido, euphoria, altered appetite, anxiety, psychiatric syndromes, mental confusion and forgetfulness. |
| Hormonal system | Decreased hormone levels (thyroxine, triiodothyronine, TSH, TBG). |
| Systemskeletal muscle | Increased susceptibility to muscle and tendon injuries; early closure of the epiphyses, with consequent interruption of bone growth (in adolescents). |
| Systemcardiovascular | Sodium and water retention, blood vessel obstruction, increased blood pressure, tissue edema, increased cholesterol (decreased HDL and increased LDL), increased triglycerides, heart attack, angina, ventricular hypertrophy, atherosclerosis, strokes and even death . |
| Hepatic system | Elevation of liver enzymes, hepatitis, rupture of blood vessels in the liver, hepatocellular carcinoma, hepatoma, cholestatic jaundice and liver cancer. |
| Renal system | Wilms’ tumor and elevated creatinine. |
| Men | Testicular atrophy, infertility, impotence, prostate cancer, priaprism (prolonged erection), azoospermia (absence of sperm), decreased libido, development of breast tissue and hair loss. |
| Women | Development of male characteristics, hirsutism, infertility, changes in the voice, hypertrophy of the clitoris, menstrual irregularities, cancer and atrophy of the ovaries, reduction of the breast. |
Guidance
There are no safe dosage levels for the use of anabolic steroids in sport, as we are unable to control our endocrinological system, which has not yet been fully elucidated.
In addition to physical and psychological dependence, getting rid of anabolic steroids is very difficult. According to reports by many users, even after giving up consumption, they continue to be harassed by sellers, who fear being reported to the authorities. There are real mafias involved in the clandestine anabolic trade.
Therefore, the best path for exuberant and perfect bodies is still constant training, good nutrition and, if possible, being able to count on the help of a professional specialist in sports medicine.
