Anabolic Steroids are synthetic forms of the male sex hormone testosterone. Testosterone has many jobs in the body including stimulating the development of bone, muscle. skin, hair growth, lowering of the voice, and emotional responses. When too much testosterone is produced, the body reacts in several ways such as shutting down skeletal growth mechanisms. This can result in stunted growth, shriveled testicles, lowered sperm counts or balding. Women naturally produce very little testosterone. Consequently, when they take anabolic steroids they develop masculine characteristics some of which are irreversible.
Steroids were originally developed in the 1930s to help maintain strength in aging men and to help those men whose bodies did not produce adequate amounts of natural testosterone. Athletes began using anabolic steroids more than 30 years ago after East Europeans and Russians dominated an international sporting event. It was later discovered that these athletes had used testosterone to strengthen themselves.
In 1960, Dr. John B. Ziegler, a Pennsylvania physician, became interested in weight training and began to experiment with steroids. He discovered that the use of steroids would somehow increase the utilization of protein in the body and form additional muscle in those who trained their bodies and were well nourished. In time, he found that he had increased his muscular size and strength at a greater rate than if he had only lifted weights and eaten heartily. The craze for steroids began after he reported his findings in a weight-training magazine.
Steroids are a controlled substance in the United States-meaning a prescription is required to obtain this drug. Physicians soon became inundated with requests for prescriptions from weight-lifters, football players, shot putters and other athletes-all hoping to improve their performance, shorten their training hours or accelerate their physical development. At first, physicians were more than willing to prescribe steroids. Dr. Robert Voy, chief medical officer for the U.S. Olympic Committee, conducted a small study that indicated 30-40% of the steroids used by body builders came from physicians. This figure has dropped since reports of the serious side effects of the drug and also because there is little evidence to show the benefits of using steroids.
In 1980, Dr. Alan J. Ryan, editor of Physician and Sportsmedicine, reviewed 25 cases in which steroids were administered to increase strength. He found many inconsistencies among the studies and concluded that there was not substantial evidence that the use of anabolic steroids in conjunction with weight training would increase muscular size and strength. However, there was strong evidence that anabolic steroids did not contribute significantly to muscular growth and strength in healthy males, and the presumed increase of muscle tissue was due to the steroids causing the body to retain salt and water. This water retention causes the user to gain weight and exhibit what many bodybuilders have labeled "that puffy look." The users usually look puffy around the face, neck, and lower body-athletes and experts know that normal muscle gain looks anything but puffy.
In a 1987 issue of Clinical Pharmacy, researchers Michael W. Kibble and Mary B. Ross reported that steroids increase muscle mass and strength "only in persons who are already weight-trained and who continue intensive training while maintaining a high-protein, highcalorie diet.
Athletes who do use steroids and actually increase their muscle size and strength do so as a result of two factors: a) they have probably been training harder, and b) the belief that the drug will produce the desired effect; thus the "placebo" effect takes place. A placebo contains no medical benefit and is used more for a psychological relief for the perceived problem. The athlete believes that the drug is doing all the work but, actually, they are training harder which is producing the desired effects.
It has also been noted that the use of steroids to gain muscle and strength does not necessarily mean the strengthening of tendons and ligaments. This imbalance could result in a serious injury.
Side Effects and Adverse Reactions
There are over 70 side effects of steroid use ranging from liver cancer to acne. The liver, cardiovascular and reproductive systems are the hardest hit by steroids. Effects also encompass psychological reactions. These reactions include depression and aggressive behavior often called "roid rage." Side effects may not show up for years, such as heat attacks or strokes, and some may not be recognized, such as stunted growth. Other effects include:
acne cancer cholesterol increase heart disease water retention high blood pressure jaundice liver disease male pattern baldness shrunken testicles prostrate enlargement sterility stunted growth kidney damage[37;0m
Women experience side effects (some of which are irreversible) such as a lowered voice, growth of facial and chest hair, menstrual irregularities, breast reduction, fetal damage and sterility.
Other Possible Reactions to Steroid Use
Listed below are additional side effects that users may experience.
anaphylactic shock or septic shock from using injections (blood poisoning)
abdominal or stomach pains
black, tarry or light-colored stools
bone pain and muscle cramps
chills
diarrhea, nausea, vomiting (sometimes vomiting blood)
depression, fatigue, listlessness
dark colored urine (in mature males-a frequent urge to urinate)
fever
headache (continuing)
insomnia
hives, rash
unnatural hair growth
sore tongue
feeling of abdominal or stomach fullness[37;0m
Signs of Steroid Use
Athletes using steroids can be identified by:
quick weight and muscle gains
purple or red-colored spots on the body
swelling of feet or lower legs
trembling
unexplained darkening of the skin
bad breath
increased aggressive behavior ("roid rage") Conclusion
Today, efforts are being taken to deter the use of steroids. The Food and Drug Administration, the U.S. Justice Department and the Customs Service are cracking down on the steroid black market. Athletes, body builders, and other sports officials are denouncing the use of steroids. The National Football League recently began suspending players that tested positive for the use of the drug. Champion bodybuilders and wrestlers are encouraging new comers to avoid steroids, as Lee "Mr. Olympia" Haney notes, "You'll ultimately make your best body-building gains if you avoid steroid usage and just concentrate on hard training and good nutrition."
Source: Valencia Community College Project Infusion Module, Orlando, FL. Reprinted with permission.