Top 5 Side Effects of Anabolic Steroids

The use of steroids for bodybuilding is harmful yet practised by some bodybuilders. People use steroids in order to build sturdy muscles and improve their performance at the gym. Anabolic steroids have various side effects. In this article, we’ll put forth 10 reasons that justify why you shouldn’t be using steroids for muscle building.

WHAT ARE STEROIDS?

Steroids are anabolic compounds of the male sex hormone testosterone. Steroids are available in a variety of shapes, sizes and have various effects on your body such as boosting strength, muscle mass, and fat reduction.

Skipping the details, let’s understand how steroids help in muscle building. The effect of steroids on your muscle building is so great that you can see yourself transforming in a few days. The androgen receptor sites that clamp the steroid to the muscles, enhance glycogen and help in improving muscle size and strength.

Since steroids are synthetic derivatives of testosterone, you are likely to suffer from the side effects. Some of the commonly known ill-effects of steroids are hair loss, testicular degeneration, roid rage, and gyno. But the list doesn’t stop here. Lab testing on humans was never done to determine the effect of steroid overdose because of the ethical implications.

HOW DO STEROIDS WORK?

Steroids work by reducing the inflammation and bringing down the activity of your immune system. Inflammation is a process through which your body’s white blood cells and Chemicals safeguard you against infections and viruses and bacteria. if you are affected by certain diseases, your body’s defence system is unable to function correctly. This leads to the inflammation to work against your body tissues and damage them.

 Mentioned Below are the Signs of Inflammation:

• Swelling 
• Pain
• Redness
• Warmth 

Steroids can lower the production of chemicals that lead to inflammation. This helps in controlling the tissue damage. Steroids can also minimize the activity of your immune system by affecting the functioning of white blood cells.

While steroids might be helpful in treating certain conditions, the body’s defence system is not functioning properly, steroids have more harmful effects than the positive ones.

HOW STEROIDS AFFECT MUSCLE GAIN

When you are working out rigorously, your muscle faces tears. Your body adds larger cells to protect itself from these injuries and build stronger muscles. This process is called muscle hypertrophy. When this process is repeated continuously, it leads to muscle growth.

Testosterone is the key ingredient that initiates the process of anabolism. Anabolic steroids supplement the natural testosterone levels in the body. When your muscle cells receive it, this steroid starts to merge with your cell’s DNA and triggers protein synthesis. This results in cell growth.

• Anabolic steroids not only help in bulking up and expanding muscle size but also block the stress hormone known as cortisol. This hormone is released post intense workouts. This blockage results in the prevention of muscle breakdown. A reduced rate of muscle breakdown lowers the level of fatigue and enhances the retraction of sore muscles.
• Most steroids are directly injected into your muscles, but there are some available in the market in a gel or patch form to allow topical application. To prevent the negative side effects of steroids, many bodybuilders practice an on and off usage of these. They consume it for some time and then stop it while they are in their rest period and then take it again. This method is known as cycling.
• There are many types of steroids available. Those who consume them, often take more than one type of steroid. This is known as stacking. Some bodybuilders combine cycling and stacking and this method is known as pyramiding. Under this process, the individual consumes one or more anabolic steroids in a minimum dose. In 6-12 weeks, this dose is increased and made maximum. Then again the dosage drops to zero to give the body some rest and then the cycle continues.

Not only bodybuilders but athletes too, take steroids. They use it in a way that before they go for a doping test, these are entirely flushed out of their body. Bodybuilders work out intensely to get the maximum results with the help of an increased level of testosterone injected in their bodies.

It depends on the type of steroid you are consuming and the length of the treatment along with the dosage that determines how badly steroids are going to affect you.

TOP 5 SIDE EFFECTS OF STEROIDS IN BODYBUILDING

Generally, steroids are taken in two forms- via a needle or orally. Oral steroids are highly toxic to your liver and can act as a poison for them. The higher the toxicity of the steroid, the more dangerous it is for your body. Steroids taken through a needle are bound together with the help of oil. This oil can cause skin irritation and abscess formation.

Here are The Key Reasons to Ditch Steroids:

• Roid Rage

Individuals who consume a high dose of steroids can often engage in violent behaviours as they are getting a high amount of testosterone. One can also indulge in psychotic behaviours and can experience bouts of paranoia and depression.

• Puffiness on Face

Testosterone absorbs water and this is why you’ll experience puffiness in your body and especially on your face. And we’re sure you don’t want your face to look like a potato!

• Hair Loss

While we all lose some hair strands on a daily basis, hair fall is a next-level thing. Steroids can make you lose the hair you adore so much. Male pattern baldness can be sped up via steroid intake. So, if baldness runs in your heredity, you are more likely to be affected if you’re on steroids.

• Troubles for Your Heart

Your heart keeps you alive and you certainly don’t want to ruin its health. But if you consume steroids, you are causing harm to your heart’s health. Steroids can lead to an increase in the LDL which is your bad cholesterol. An increased level of LDL can cause heart diseases.

• Cause Liver Cancer

Steroids are toxic to your liver. Some simulated steroids are said to be the cause behind the breeding of a certain bacteria which is responsible for infecting the liver that leads to jaundice. Such steroids can also lead to liver cancer. Scary, isn’t it?

Other Negative Side Effects of Steroids:

• Acne formation
• Weight gain
• Enhanced appetite
• Mood swings
• Easy bruising
• Excessive hair growth on the body
• More prone to infections with lower resistance
• Muscle fragility
• Osteoporosis
• Restlessness
• Sleeplessness
• Irritation in stomach
• Complications in diabetes
• Onset or worsening of hypertension
• Impotence, as injecting synthetic testosterone stops the production of natural testosterone
• Blood poisoning & risk of HIV
• Cause Gyno
• Bad for Kidney

We hope that this long list of steroid side effects is enough to warn you against its usage. If you think these are any better for women, reconsider. Women can also be badly affected by the consumption of steroids. These can lead to enlargement of the clitoris, hoarseness or deepening of the voice, excessive hair growth on the body, and possible infertility.

The worst part about taking steroids is that any of the side effects that you face because of the consumption is irreversible. So, think twice before choosing them.

Common FAQs Pertaining to Steroids

• What do anabolic steroids do?

Anabolic steroids supplement the natural testosterone levels in the body. These help in bulking up and boosting muscle size. They also block the stress hormone known as cortisol which is produced after an intense workout session.

• How do steroids build muscle?

Your body uses the muscle hypertrophy process to repair the damaged muscles and build stronger muscles. Natural testosterone helps in enhancing this process, but steroids supplement you with testosterone. When you consume them, they travel through your bloodstream and get into your muscle tissue. It goes into the muscle cell’s receiving point which is known as the androgen receptor. Once your muscle cells receive it the steroids establish a connection with your cell’s DNA and boost muscle protein synthesis.

• How quickly do steroids take effect?

Steroids are very powerful and when taken in the prescribed dosage, they can start showing the effect within a few days of consumption. These help in reducing the symptoms of inflammation and you can notice the difference in the initial days of consuming them.

• Will anabolic steroids help heal injuries?

Anabolic steroids can help in treating muscle contusion injuries in order to boost the recovery of force-generating ability. Anabolic steroids have demonstrated an increment in the rate of healing wounds and injuries even when hypogonadism is absent.

• Are anabolic steroids good for bodybuilding?

Anabolic steroids can help you in improving your performance at the gym, boost muscle mass, and reduce fat. It can help you build a ripped physique but it comes with a lot of side effects which are mostly irreversible.

The Bottom line: Use the Natural Way of Bodybuilding

Even if you have all the money in this world, refrain from the usage of steroids for building muscles. Use natural ways to get that chiselled physique. Workout regularly and eat only a healthy diet which is rich in all the nutrients. Follow a training schedule that is on par with your goals and don’t be afraid to fail. Use natural supplements. Your health is important and gets that straight to your head. Don’t depend on such things to meet your goals.