Muscle growth

Anabolic steroids are male sex hormones that were originally designed in specific cases where individuals needed hormone replacement therapy due to low hormone production they had, leaving them in a condition called hypogonadism.

Over time and research, It was realized that anabolic steroids increase muscle mass and increase athletic performance, bodybuilders, weight lifters got to use anabolic steroids for muscle growth mainly, however these are products that need a prescription to be prescribed , the legislation on these products varies from country to country. In some they are over-the-counter drugs, as in most Latin American countries, however in the USA and several European countries they are controlled hormones.

How are anabolic steroids taken?

Anabolic steroids are taken in combination, they combine chemical substances to make their use more efficient, however, there is no scientific research to support that such a combination really increases their effectiveness, standards to increase the effectiveness of any medication you only have to the dose, but nevertheless every drug has something to increase is defined as therapeutic limit, which is the limit of effectiveness of any drug, however with steroids it has not been established what that limit is or if the combinations really exceeded that limit therapeutic, however there is much empirical evidence within bodybuilders, or people who are users of this type of substance.

Side effects of anabolic steroids

Regularly taking anabolic steroids can lead to physical and psychological changes in both men and women, as well as potentially dangerous medical conditions.

⦁ Physical effects
⦁ Effects of anabolic steroids in men can include:
⦁ Reduced sperm count
⦁ Infertility
⦁ Shrunken testicles
⦁ Erectile dysfunction
⦁ Hair loss
⦁ Breast development
⦁ Increased risk of prostate cancer
⦁ Severe acne
⦁ Stomach pain

In women, anabolic steroids can cause:

⦁ 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
⦁ Severe acne

In addition, both men and women who take anabolic steroids can develop any of the following medical conditions:

⦁ Heart attack or stroke
⦁ Liver or kidney problems or failure
⦁ High blood pressure (hypertension)
⦁ Blood clots
⦁ Fluid retention
⦁ High cholesterol
⦁ Psychological effects
Misusing anabolic steroids can also cause the following psychological or emotional effects:
⦁ Aggressive behavior
⦁ Mood swings
⦁ Paranoia
⦁ Manic behavior
⦁ Hallucinations and delusions
⦁ Stunted growth in adolescents

Anabolic steroids accelerate bone growth, so if they’re misused by adolescents who haven’t yet had the growth spurt associated with puberty, the drugs can cause premature ageing of the bones and restricted growth.

Sharing needles

As anabolic steroids are often injected, there are risks associated with sharing needles. These are the same risks associated with recreational drug use, and include:

⦁ Damage to veins, leading to ulcers or gangrene
⦁ Hepatitis B infection
⦁ Hepatitis C infection
⦁ HIV transmission

Are anabolic steroids addictive?

It really depends on the source of the country that makes a judgment regarding steroids, it will be the answer that each individual will have, there are drugs that do have addictive potential since they generate physical and psychological dependence, however steroids have no effect on the reward mechanism, its functions are focused on the most instinctive behaviors of the male gender and its functions are merely designed so that these characteristics are expressed, in any country where they are prohibited without a doubt any judgment issued will say that they are addictive drugs, however, in countries where they are freely available, the general population will not even consider them as addictive drugs, it all depends on the country and its legislation.