Steroid Use in Sports – Side Effects

Steroid use in Sports interrupts normal hormone production in the body and can cause many side effects. Steroids are substances that some athletes use to try to improve their athletic performance.

Anabolic steroids (anabolic-androgenic steroids) are manufactured (synthetic) versions of a male sex hormone (testosterone). These steroids can increase muscle size and reduce body fat. They also activate the development of male sexual traits in men and women.

Androstenedione is a type of steroid that the body converts into a female sex hormone (estrogen) and testosterone (anabolic steroid precursor). This means that even though androstenedione does not help muscles to grow on its own, it gets converted into the type of steroid that helps muscles to grow. Androstenedione also activates the development of certain feminine and masculine traits.

Why are steroids used in athletics?

Athletes may use steroids to try to increase muscle strength and power. Some athletes use steroids to try to reduce muscle tiredness (fatigue), enhance their aggressiveness, or improve their physical appearance.

What are the side effects of using steroids?

Possible side effects of using steroids include:

• Acne.
• High blood pressure.
• Abnormal lipid profile results. A lipid profile is a blood test that measures the fat-like substances (lipids) in your blood, including cholesterol.
• Anxiety.
• Irritability.
• Mood swings, including extreme anger.
• Aggressive behavior.
• Headaches.
• Skin turning yellow from liver damage (jaundice).
• Kidney damage.
• Heart attack (myocardial infarction).
• Stroke.
• Fear that people are against you (paranoia).
• False beliefs or ideas (delusions).
• Slowed (stunted) growth (adolescents).
• Liver disease or liver cancer (rare).
• Increased risk for certain infections, such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or hepatitis B, if you inject steroids.

Side effects for men may include:

• Decreased sperm count.
• Shrinking of the testicles.
• Development of breast tissue (gynecomastia).
• Hair loss.
• Increased risk for prostate cancer.

Side effects for women may include:

• Increased facial hair or body hair.
• Male pattern baldness.
• Deepened voice.
• Abnormal menstrual cycles.
• Enlarged clitoris.

What do I need to know about steroid use?

Anabolic-androgenic steroids and androstenedione are banned from all major athletic competitions. Using steroids to improve athletic performance is unsafe, and it gives athletes an unfair advantage in competition. When athletes use steroids to improve their performance, they often take high doses that are considered unsafe. This high dosage can lead to health problems.

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), steroids are legal only when they are used to treat certain medical conditions. Tests that screen for steroid use are routinely used in many athletic competitions. There can be severe penalties for athletes who are found to use steroids.

Steroids can be used in several ways. These include:

• Taking steroids by mouth (orally). This is dangerous for the liver.
• Injecting steroids into the muscles. When you inject steroids, they often remain in your body for long periods of time.
• Applying steroids to the skin as a cream, gel, or patch.

It is possible to become addicted to steroids. Athletes who use steroids may develop withdrawal symptoms when they stop using steroids. Withdrawal symptoms may include:

• Mood swings.
• Depression.
• Fatigue.
• Restlessness.
• Loss of appetite.
• Difficulty sleeping.
• Loss of sex drive (loss of libido).