Side effects of Steroids

• Increased risk of heart disease. Anabolic-androgenic steroids(AAS) used in combination with resistance exercise can increase the size of the left ventricle of your heart, as well as blood pressure. This may increase your risk of heart disease and related death .

• Can increase aggressive behavior. Steroid use has been associated with increased aggression and impulsivity in male teenagers and adults.
• Can affect body image. AAS use and dependence are classified as a body image disorder in the diagnostic manual for mental disorders.
• Can cause liver damage. AAS, specifically those taken orally, have been shown to increase your risk of liver dysfunction.
• May cause gynecomastia. Defined as swollen male breast tissue caused by a hormone imbalance, gynecomastia may occur when you stop taking AAS.
• Decreased production of testosterone. Steroid use is associated with hypogonadism, which is characterized by the shrinking and decreased function of the testes.
• Can cause infertility. Due to its potential to decrease sperm production, steroid use may cause infertility.
• May cause male pattern baldness. The androgenic effects of AAS may cause or worsen male pattern baldness. This effect may vary depending on the specific drug used.

Side effects for women

While the above side effects can occur in men and women alike, women should be aware of additional ones, including:

• deepening voice
• facial changes and hair growth
• enlarged clitoris
• irregular menstrual cycles
• decreased breast size
• infertility

Steroid is an organic compound that has 4 cyclo-alkane rings connected to each other. Some of the popular examples of steroids are cholesterol, sex hormones, dexamethanose etc. The core of steroid is mainly composed of 20 carbon (C) atoms. There are thousands of steroids that are found in flora and fauna species. But generally, we refer to steroid as man made compounds that are produced to enhance the muscle growth. These drugs are illegal in most of the countries of world, but many sportsmen are using these steroids to enhance their stamina and power. But, there are many issues that have been related to steroids in recent past. 

Disadvantages of steroids

1. Many people had complained about mood disturbances that includes aggression, depression and mania.
2. The steroids can harm your central nervous system and you may be at high risk of psychosis.
3. The risk of cardiovascular diseases like heart failure, jamming of blood vessels, valve malfunctioning can occur.
4. The males who are taking steroids regularly can suffer from testicles shrinkage, low sperm count and infertility, chest might turn to breast and high risk of prostate cancer.
5. The females who are using steroids can suffer from hair growth on face, baldness, unpredictable menstrual cycle, clitoris enlargement, and manly voice.
6. The teenagers taking steroids can suffer from accelerated puberty, halted growth, early skeletal maturation and lots more ill effects.
7. The risk of kidney diseases, liver diseases and cancer is also increased.
8. The sex drive of person is decreased involved with taking steroids.
9. There is always a high risk of getting Hepatitis B & C and HIV from the infected needles.
10. Nose bleeding, muscle tears, tendon injuries, insomnia, aching joints are some other consequences of taking steroids in large extent.

What Are Steroids?

Don't confuse anabolic steroids with corticosteroids, warns physiatrist Kenneth Mautner, MD, of Emory University. Anabolic steroids are used to build up muscle. Corticosteroids are used to dampen overactive immune responses and reduce swelling.

The anabolic steroids abused by athletes are synthetic versions of testosterone, a male hormone. Both men and women naturally produce testosterone. But like all hormones -- which regulate the body's most basic functions -- throwing one's testosterone out of balance can have wide-ranging consequences.

Why Do Doctors Prescribe Steroids?

Doctors prescribe anabolic steroids to treat certain specific medical conditions. For example, they may be used to treat the muscle wasting seen in AIDS. Steroids may also be used to treat delayed puberty or loss of testicular function.Mautner notes that doctors are not allowed to prescribe steroids to enhance a person's athletic performance.

Are Steroids Illegal?

Yes. Without a doctor's prescription for a medical condition, it's against the law to possess, sell, or distribute anabolic steroids.

Legal prosecution can be a serious side effect of illicit steroid use. Under federal law, first-time simple possession of anabolic steroids carries a maximum penalty of one year in prison and a $1,000 fine. For first-offense trafficking in steroids, the maximum penalty is five years in prison and a fine of $250,000. Second offenses double this penalty. In addition to federal penalties, state laws also prohibit illegal anabolic steroid use.

"There are a lot of side effects of steroids," Mautner tells WebMD. "They are not good for you. It is like Russian roulette. Five people may take them and have no long-term problem. The sixth may end up dead."