Introduction
Androgenic-anabolic steroids are artificial drugs that are brought about to duplicate the effects of the male hormone testosterone. They are typically used to alter athletic activity, however researches have verified them to generate major health issues. The unfavorable effects that emerge from the abuse of anabolic steroids have been a concept concerning scientists for many years. In this literature review health issues that appear specifically in male athletes will be addressed. Sperm count in the reproductive system, left ventricular size in the cardiovascular system, and the behavioral issue of aggression will be given a closer look in order to illustrate to readers what has been written about the adverse effects of anabolic steroids. This is so that they can understand the development of the ideas concerning the long-term effects of steroid abuse on the body.
The Correlation Between Sperm Count And Steroid Use In Males
The literatures on adverse effects of anabolic steroids agree that anabolic steroids will harm the reproductive system. However, many scholars choose to focus on anabolic steroid’s effect on sperm. One dilemma seen in steroid-abused sperm is a lower count. Saied Karbalay-Doust at the Shiraz University of Medical Sciences conducted the study “The Reversibility Of Sperm Quality After Discontinuing Nandrolone Decanoate In Adult Male Rats” in order to observe the reproductive effects that would come from injecting weekly doses of nandrolone decanoate (a compound in anabolic steroids) into various rats for 14 weeks. After the trial was over, Karbalay-Doust came to the conclusion that sperm count will dramatically decrease if the body is abused by anabolic steroids from a lengthy duration of time (...
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...ood lipids and echocardiographic parameters in body builders.” International Journal of Sports Medicine 10 (2001): 62–66. Print
Breuer M, McGinnis M, Lumia A, Possidente B. “Aggression in male rats receiving anabolic androgenic steroids: effects of social and environmental provocation.” Hormone Behavior 40 (2001): 409–418. Print
McGinnis M, Lumia A, Breuer M, Possidente B. “Physical provocation potentiates aggression in male rats receiving anabolic androgenic steroids.” Hormone Behavior 41 (2002): 101 – 110. Print
Long S, Wilson M, Sufka K, Davis W. “The effects of cocaine and nandrolone co-administration on aggression in male rats.” Progessive Neuropsychopharmacol Biology Psychiatry 20.5 (2001): 839 – 856. Print
Vanberg P, Atar D. “Androgenic anabolic steroid abuse and the cardiovascular system.” Handbook of Experimental Pharmacology 195 (2010): 411- 457. Print
"Steroids (Anabolic) - Drugs of Abuse and Related Topics - NIDA." National Institute on Drug
Several effects of steroid use have been identified. These include an increase in low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and a decrease in high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. These lipid changes if allowed to continue over long periods of time could result in coronary heart disease (6). Some other side effects of steroids in men include shrinking of the testicles; reduced sperm count, infertility, baldness, development of breasts, and increased risk of pro...
Yesalis, C.E. Anabolic Steroids in Sport and Exercise. (2nd Ed.) 2000. Human Kinetics, United States.
Every year high school, college, and professional athletes try to get just ?a little bigger,??a little stronger,? and to increase the amount of weights they lift by, ?just a few pounds.? To achieve these goals athletes often turn to anabolic steroids to aid them in achieving their goals. Anabolic steroids are a quick, but dangerous way to increase muscle mass, and they can carry many risks including some life threatening side affects. Years after taking steroids athletes can live to have serious heart problems, sterility, or possibly not even live, all because of foolish decisions they made in the past. These potentially fatal drugs are not widely known by young athletes at all, because they don?t know about the risks that can go along with them. In school, every student is taught about marijuana, cocaine,heroin, sex, liquor, and all those other health risks, but they?re never taught about ?roids? or ?juice.? (slang words for steroids) That should be changed, because it is known that student athletes often use steroids, not knowing the risks. Many times they take the risk because they hear about professional athletes taking steroids. But, despite their widespread use in sports, steroids can have more negative than positive effects on athletes of all types. Steroids are chemical substances that can be made naturally by the body or produced synthetically. There are many different types of steroids that are used for different things other than just athletes enhancing muscles. For example, there are types of steroids that can be used by women as birth control pills, and other types that are used for menopause treatment. The abuse of steroids is almost always found to be in the case of athletes, and that is the focus of this paper. ?All anabolic steroids are synthetic compounds whose molecular structure is similar to that of the natural male sex hormone testosterone. Testosterone affects development of the male body in two important ways: it has an anabolic effect - increases growth, especially of muscular and skeletal tissue - And an androgenic effect - increased development of male sexual characteristics. Anabolic steroids are constructed stythetically in such a way that they maximize the anabolic effect of testosterone while minimizing the androgenic effect.? The way that steroids work can easily be interpreted by a foo...
All around the globe, people have attempted to find an organic, genetic basis for aggressive behavior. Several hormones and neurotransmitters, such as testosterone and seretonin, have been implicated in the "aggression quest", as well as specific localities of the human brain. My paper will serve to suggest that although many findings have shown impressive results regarding possible biological causes of violent behavior, we still do not have sufficient means to understand the neuroanatomical or biochemical basis of aggression.
Anabolic steroids have been heavily used amongst athletes since the 1950’s; the purpose of using is to add muscle mass, speed, strength, and endurance. Anabolic steroids come in two methods, injectable forms and oral forms. Oral and injectable steroids metabolize in the body differently. Oral steroids include some different hormones than injectable steroids. Oral steroids can include, but not limited to, methyl testosterone, fluoxymestrerone, and stonazolol. Injectable steroids can contain, but not limited to, Trenbolone acetate, testosterone propionate, and stanzolol. Surveys have been taken and have shown that 80-100 of bodybuilders, weightlifters, and professional athletes have used or are using steroids. As the doses of steroids grow larger and larger, it has said to increase aggression, fatigue loss, less libido, and mood changes.
To begin with, there are two main types of steroids: adrenal steroids and sex steroids. Because of the great therapeutic value of adrenal steroids, many synthetic steroids have been made; some more potent than the natural hormones. Synthetic steroids are anti-inflammatory drugs, oral contraceptives. A synthetic adrenal steroid is used to treat adrenal insufficiency. Anabolic steroids are also synthetic and they mimic the male hormone testosterone. Anabolic steroids are most often abused by athletes and can have serious side effects when taken improperly (Silverstein, p.14). The term "anabolic " means "to build tissue"; therefore, anabolic steroids tend to increase constructive me...
Bigelow, Barbara C. "Steroids." UXL Encyclopedia of Drugs and Addictive Substances. 2006. Gale Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 26 Jan. 2011.
"Anabolic steroids is the familiar name for synthetic substances related to the male sex hormones (e.g., testosterone). They promote the growth of skeletal muscle (anabolic effects) and the development of male sexual characteristics (androgenic effects) in both males and females”(National Institute on Drug Base).First, the benefits of steroids are very obvious to see. The user gains strength, mass, and speed in a short amount of time. Also, the user has a more aggressive attitude, which is good for football players. However, there are more bad side effects than good. The side effects include hair loss, acne, liver damage, kidney damage, increased breast tissue and becoming very aggressive. These are just some of the horrible bad side effects by using steroids.
You’ve all seen them, the enormously large muscle-heads at the gym, the participates of the World’s Strongest Man Competition, the amazing offensive tackles, and the lightning fast runners. They were all unnaturally strong, and looked like gods. You tend to obsess over how beautiful their bodies are, how strong they are, or how fast they can run. All you can think about is reaching that level of athletic excellence, and nothing will hold you back. At times like these some people tend to take the quick fit to get closer to their idols, in the form of steroids. But what individuals tend not see is the horrible side effects that accompany the use of these anabolic steroids. These powerful drugs have both positive and negative results from their use. Along with increased strength and size, users of steroids suffer from a wide range of sicknesses such as cancer, shrinkage of testicles, bad acne, hair loss, damage organs, intense mood swings, and impotence.
Over one million American desire short cuts to bigger muscles and greater endurance with anabolic steroids and other performance enhancing drugs. Anabolic steroids are derivatives of the male hormone testosterone. A few of the negative effects of the drug are impairment to the kidneys as well ...
In 1935, German scientists developed anabolic steroids as a way to treat hypogonadism or testosterone deficiency. Through scientific experiment and studies the...
Celotti, F., Negri Cesi, P. (1992). Anabolic steroids: A review of their effects on the muscles, of their possible mechanisms of action and of their use in athletics. Journal of Steroid Biochemistry, 43(5), 469-477.
While the effects of steroids can seem desirable at first, there are serious side effects. Excessive use can cause a harmful imbalance in the body's normal hormonal balance and body chemistry. Heart attacks, water retention leading to high blood pressure and stroke, and liver and kidney tumors all are possible. Young people may develop and a halting of bone growth. Males may experience shrinking testicles, falling sperm counts, and enlarged prostates. Women frequently show signs of masculinity and may be at higher risk for certain types of and the possibility of birth defects in their children. The psychological effects of steroid use are also alarming: drastic mood swings, inability to sleep, and feelings of hostility. Steroids may also be psychologically addictive. Once started, users, particularly athletes, enjoy the physical "benefits" of increased size, strength, and endurance so much that they are reluctant to stop even when told about the risks. Major athletic competitions, including the Olympics, routinely screen athletes to prevent steroid use.
Forty-eight percent of high school students use steroids to improve athletic performance. Steroids can increase performances for athletes but steroids also affect the mind and character of the person. Some effects of steroids are impaired learning and hearing, violent behavior, and overly aggressive behavior. When women take steroids they start to show signs of masculinity such as deepening of the voice, increase in body and facial hair also the skin starts to roughen. Anabolic steroids give the one who takes them an unfair advantage in athletic competition. The advantage that they receive is not the same as natural born characteristics of ability.