What are Anabolic Steroids: Meaning, Uses, Abuse & Side Effects

Steroids are manufactured chemicals designed to act like hormones and help reduce inflammation. But anabolic steroids are a bit different and generally used by bodybuilders and athletes. These steroids help increase muscle, athletic performance, and appearance and decrease fat.

Further, these drugs are not the harmful version of steroids, but still, some may succumb to their illicit use and fall into the trap of addiction, which can adversely impact one's life.

Anabolic steroids are synthetic drugs that are similar to testosterone, i.e., the male sex hormone. These drugs are often prescribed to men suffering from anaemia or low testosterone production.

As these steroids include testosterone, dihydrotestosterone and other agents, it reflects the behaviour of sex hormones. Further, they stimulate various types of tissue growth, principally muscle and bone. These drugs further increase the production of RBCs and increase the production of testosterone in men. Apart from that, these drugs also work to curb various generalised types of disorders.

Doctors prescribe these androgens for Adolescent boys with delayed puberty, men with erectile dysfunction and hypogonadism, and women suffering from breast cancer and anaemia when there is a decrease in muscle mass due to some disease or HIV, for treating endometriosis and hormonal imbalance.

This also means doctors don't prescribe it to healthy people, children or young people to help them build muscle. Various bodybuilders and athletes indulge in anabolic steroid abuse to increase muscle mass without a prescription, as it enhances their performance and prowess. However, it should be avoided.

Anabolic steroids can be consumed via injections, oral pills, through the skin as gel or cream, or pellets that are implanted underneath the skin.

Some of the oral steroids are:

• Oxandrin
• Winstrol
• Dianabol
• Anadrol
• Fluoxymesterone
• Mibolerone
• Stanozolol
• Mesterolone
• Oxandrolone
• Methandienone
• Oxymetholone and more

Some of the injectable steroids include:

• Equipoise
• Dianabol
• Deca-Durabolin
• Durabolin
• Tetrahydrogestrinone
• Depo-Testosterone
• Trenbolone acetate
• Boldenone undecylenate
• Nandrolone decanoate
• Testosterone cypionate
• Methenolone enanthate
• Nandrolone phenylpropionate

Other Anabolic steroids medical usage includes Corticosteroids, Hypogonadism etc.

Anabolic steroid misuse can adversely impact physical and mental health. Apart from that, using this steroid also has various mild to adverse side effects. The side effects of anabolic steroids are as follows.

Side-Effects of Anabolic Steroids in Women

• Facial hair growth and body hair
  
• Loss of breasts
• Swelling of the clitoris
• A deepened voice
• An increased sex drive
• Problems with periods
• Hair loss
• Breast enlargement
• Severe acne

Side Effects of Anabolic Steroids in Men

• Reduced sperm count
• Shrunken testicles
• Infertility
• Erectile dysfunction
• Loss of hair
• Severe acne
• Increased risk of prostate cancer
• Stomach pain

Some side effects are common for both men and women. Both of them can develop medical conditions like high blood pressure, heart attack, kidney problems, high cholesterol, blood clots, etc. Even psychological side effects like paranoia, hallucinations, aggressive behaviour, manic behaviour etc., are common.

Stunted growth in adolescents - caused due to abusing the steroid at a tender stage and leads to premature ageing of bones

Infections due to sterile injections or sharing needles

• It can lead to ulcers or gangrene
• Hepatitis B infection
• Hepatitis C infection
• HIV transmission

Many athletes use this steroid to enhance their performance and endurance and to build muscle. They take this drug orally or via injection or by applying it on the skin in the form of gel without any prescribed guidelines.

The prolonged use of anabolic steroids gives rise to addiction, and people resort to misuse. They develop various symptoms and become dependent on this drug physically and psychologically. Some common ways in which these steroids are consumed are:

• Juice
• Gear
• Gym candy
• Pumpers
• Andro
• Roids
• Stackers

Though anabolic steroids don't provide the same high compared to other drugs but carry various side effects generally known as substance use disorder. Misusing a substance even after knowing the consequences usually leads to addiction. Side-effects caused due to addiction towards anabolic steroids are as follows:

• Depression and apathy
• Feelings of anxiety
• Difficulty concentrating
• Insomnia
• Anorexia
• Decreased sex drive
• Extreme tiredness (fatigue)
• Headaches
• Muscle and joint pain
• Steroid cravings
• Sleeplessness

Legal steroids being natural supplements are the safe alternatives to Anabolic steroids. Legal steroids extend similar health benefits to anabolic steroids. However, what makes it stand out as a safe alternative is that it comes with no side effects. Here are some of the most effective legal steroids:

• D-Bal Max; used for muscle growth
• Clenbuterol; used for burning fat
• Crazybulk cutting stack

People who stop the intake of anabolic steroids can suffer from various withdrawal symptoms. Further, it may take as long as four months for the production of testosterone levels to get back to normal. The withdrawal symptoms can include:

• Fatigue
• Weight loss
• Lowered appetite
• Decreased strength
• Depression

People seeking treatment for anabolic steroids can implement behavioural therapy and medications in combination. Several healthcare providers prescribe various antidepressants and medicines to reduce pain in joints or headaches. Furthermore, various other medicines are used to treat the hormonal imbalance and restore it back to normal. The treatment for drug addiction includes:

• Detoxification
• Individual counselling
• Group therapy
• Peer support

Anabolic steroids are a different class of drugs prescribed to people suffering from hormonal imbalance. But this is also illegally used by various sportspeople to gain more muscle mass while increasing their performance, endurance and other capabilities. This detailed piece will help individuals make an informed decision before opting for anabolic steroids.