Anabolic Steroid Use and Abuse - An Overview

What Are Anabolic Steroids?

Anabolic steroids or anabolic-androgen steroids (AAS) include natural and synthetic androgens. Anabolic steroids are a class of drugs; these drugs are derived from variations in the testosterone (primary male sex hormone) molecules. These drugs have varying virilizing effects, particularly inducing the development and maintenance of male secondary sexual traits, including facial and body hair growth. They also increase protein within cells, notably in skeletal muscles. Anabolic steroids were first produced in the 1930s. They are used therapeutically in medicine to increase appetite and muscle growth, trigger male puberty, and cure degenerative diseases like cancer or AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). However, prolonged use or excessive doses of anabolic steroids can result in health concerns. A few of these side effects are acne, hypertension (high blood pressure), liver damage, altered cardiac function, and detrimental changes in cholesterol levels.

What Are the Common Names of Anabolic Steroids?

Some of the common names of anabolic steroids are:

• Anabolic androgenic steroids.

• AAS.

• Androgens.

What Are the Uses of Anabolic Steroids?

The medical uses of anabolic steroids include:

• Hormone replacement therapy.

• Different forms of anemia.

• Cachexia (wasting and weakness of muscles) due to various serious medical diseases.

• Acute and chronic wounds.

• Protein malnutrition is associated with excessive weight loss.

• Short height or stature.

• Burns.

• Kidney and liver diseases or failure.

• Osteoporosis (a medical condition in which bones become weak and brittle).

• Primary and secondary hypogonadism (testes or ovaries fail to function efficiently).

• HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) wasting syndrome.

• Catabolic states due to long-term use of corticosteroids.

How Are Anabolic Steroids Taken?

Steroids are taken in the following ways:

• Pills: Some people prefer popping steroid pills because it is a simple and convenient method of consumption.

• Injectable: Some individuals administer steroids intramuscularly using hypodermic needles. Users who repeatedly use more and more of a drug are called "abusers." Abusers have been known to take doses 10 to 100 times greater than those that a physician has advised for medical purposes.

• Stacking: Many users of steroids combine two or more different steroid types. This kind of steroid use, known as stacking, is intended to increase the user’s muscle mass more quickly. Some drug abusers pyramid their doses in cycles of 6 to 12 weeks. The steroid user begins the cycle with modest doses and gradually increases them.

What Is Anabolic Steroid Abuse?

The malpractice of using anabolic steroids for non-medicinal purposes like gaining muscle mass, performance enhancement, etc., is anabolic steroid abuse. People who want to increase their anabolic and androgenic potential have used and abused testosterone and anabolic-androgenic equivalents since they were first synthesized. These individuals do this to improve their physical performance in sporting undertakings or to develop their physique.

Is Anabolic Steroid Abuse Common?

• Anabolic steroid use to enhance performance and develop muscular bodies is becoming common globally.

• Between 2.9 and 4.0 million people in the US are estimated to have taken anabolic steroids, and about 1 million have become dependent on them.

• 3.3 percent is estimated to be the approximate global prevalence.

• Men use anabolic steroids more commonly than women, while female use is rising. About 6.4 percent of men and 1.6 percent of women use anabolic steroids globally.

• Elite athletes are no longer the only ones who use anabolic steroids; the ordinary public also uses them. For example, around half a million high school kids in the US have used anabolic steroids for non-medical reasons.

What Are the Common Side Effects of Anabolic Steroids?

Most adverse effects of anabolic steroid abuse depend on the dosage, and some can be reversed by stopping the steroid abuse. However, some side effects of anabolic steroid abuse are permanent, and sometimes they can even be fatal. Some of the common side effects of anabolic steroids are:

• Cardiovascular Effects: Increased heart rate, elevated blood pressure, and alterations in lipid metabolism, including decreased high-density lipoprotein and increased low-density lipoprotein, are the most frequent adverse effects of anabolic steroid usage on the cardiovascular system.

• Liver Effects: There have been reports of primary liver tumors, mostly benign, which go away when anabolic steroid medication is stopped. Numerous case reports of young, healthy athletes dying from primary malignant liver cancer, with oral steroid usage being the sole known risk factor.

• Endocrine Effects: Anabolic steroids have been demonstrated to bind to glucocorticoid, progesterone, and estrogen receptors and have various effects. Additionally, it has been demonstrated that anabolic steroids increase fasting blood glucose levels and reduce glucose tolerance, most likely due to a hepatic action or adjustments to the insulin receptor. In addition, when an individual involves in steroid abuse, hormonal imbalances can happen. Guys who use steroids may notice smaller testicles and a lower sperm count. Additionally, they may develop breasts (gynecomastia). Girls can grow more masculine by taking steroids. Their tones grow deeper. They develop too much body hair, and their breasts get smaller.

• Hematological Effects: Anabolic steroids are frequently used to treat anemia and boost hemoglobin and hematocrit. However, the clinician must be cautious of the risk of polycythemia (excessive red blood cells in the blood).

• Dermatological Effects: Many androgen receptors exist in the skin, notably on the face and scalp. Anabolic steroids often lead to clinical acne and male pattern baldness.

• Neurologic Effects: Preliminary research suggests that prolonged anabolic steroid abuse may lead to neurotoxicity, especially in the parts of the brain related to visuospatial memory.

• Psychiatric Effects: The adverse effects of anabolic steroid abuse on affective behaviors include a cluster of symptoms known as "roid anger," which includes uncontrollable impulsivity, intense mood swings, and unusually high levels of aggression. In addition, variations in libido, anxiety, and depression are often reported.

• Genitourinary Effects: The male prostate responds to androgens quite quickly. The prostate enlarges in response to stimulation, possibly developing or aggravating benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Moreover, significant bladder and subsequent kidney damage from worsening benign prostatic hyperplasia are possible. Additionally, because of the potential for developing a hormone-sensitive tumor, using anabolic steroids in individuals with underlying prostate cancer is categorically forbidden. It has been reported that hypogonadism with low gonadotropin and testosterone levels persists for several weeks to months after the cessation of anabolic steroids and, in some cases, is resistant to testosterone replacement therapy. Impotence and infertility are other prevalent side effects of anabolic steroid misuse.

Is Anabolic Steroid Abuse Illegal?

Anabolic steroids are class C medications that require a prescription and can only be dispensed by pharmacists. Having anabolic steroids for personal use is acceptable. However, it is illegal if anabolic steroids are being supplied or sold to another person (who does not have a prescription). The punishment is a hefty fine or maybe a jail term. In sports and professional competitions, most organizations prohibit the usage of anabolic steroids and test athletes for these substances. They can be barred from participating in professional competitions if they test positive.

Conclusion

Anabolic steroids are extremely useful in medicinal use to treat various conditions like wasting diseases. However, these steroids are often misused for other reasons. Anabolic steroids are often used to improve performance in bodybuilding, racing, and sports. However, it is controversial due to its negative repercussions and possible unfair advantage. Most top athletic organizations consider its use to be doping.