Steroid Use
Most of society has been
educated about body image issues for women. However, Men have
body image issues too. In the last two years I have seen more
and more teen boys talking with me about their own or their friend's
use of steroids. The guys want to get big and strong to impress
the girls, the other guys and the coach. Therefore, I have decided
to put together information on steroids for this newsletter.
What are anabolic steroids?
Anabolic steroids"
is the familiar name for synthetic substances related to the
male sex hormones (androgens). They promote the growth of skeletal
muscle (anabolic effects) and the development of male sexual
characteristics (androgenic effects), and also have some other
effects. The term "anabolic steroids" will be used
through-out this report because of its familiarity, although
the proper term for these compounds is "anabolic-androgenic"
steroids.
Anabolic steroids were developed in the late 1930s primarily
to treat hypogonadism, a condition in which the testes do not
produce sufficient testosterone for normal growth, development,
and sexual functioning. The primary medical uses of these compounds
are to treat delayed puberty, some types of impotence, and wasting
of the body caused by HIV infection or other diseases.
During the 1930s, scientists discovered that anabolic steroids
could facilitate the growth of skeletal muscle in laboratory
animals, which led to use of the compounds first by bodybuilders
and weightlifters and then by athletes in other sports. Steroid
abuse has become so widespread in athletics that it affects the
outcome of sports contests.
Commonly Abused Steroids:
What are steroidal supplements?
In the United States,
supplements such as dehydroepian-drosterone (DHEA) and androstenedione
(street name Andro) can be purchased legally without a prescription
through many commercial sources including health food stores.
They are often referred to as dietary supplements, although they
are not food products. They are often taken because the user
believes they have anabolic effects.
Steroidal supplements can be converted into testosterone (an
important male sex hormone) or a similar compound in the body.
Whether such conversion produces sufficient quantities of testosterone
to promote muscle growth or whether the supplements themselves
promote muscle growth is unknown. Little is known about the side
effects of steroidal supplements, but if large quantities of
these compounds substantially increase testosterone levels in
the body, they also are likely to produce the same side effects
as anabolic steroids.
What is the scope of steroid abuse in the United States?
From 1998 to 1999, the Monitoring the Future Survey reported
an increase in lifetime use of steroids among 10th-graders and
a decrease in perceived risk of harm among seniors.
Recent evidence suggests
that steroid abuse among adolescents is on the rise. The 1999
Monitoring the Future study, a NIDA-funded survey of drug abuse
among adolescents in middle and high schools across the United
States, estimated that 2.7 percent of 8th- and 10th-graders and
2.9 percent of 12th-graders had taken anabolic steroids at least
once in their lives. For 10th-graders, that is a significant
increase from 1998, when 2.0 percent of 10th-graders said they
had taken anabolic steroids at least once. For all three grades,
the 1999 levels represent a significant increase from 1991, the
first year that data on steroid abuse were collected from the
younger students. In that year, 1.9 percent of 8th-graders, 1.8
percent of 10th-graders, and 2.1 percent of 12th-graders reported
that they had taken anabolic steroids at least once.
Commonly Reported Negative
Effects:
Both Sexes:
" Increased risk of mood disturbances including mania and
depression
" Increased risk of psychosis
" Increased risk of aggressive acts which may injure self
or others
" Increased risk of cardiovascular disease
" Increased risk of liver disease and cancer
" Increased risk of kidney disease and cancer
" Risk of HIV and Hepatitis B & C from contaminated
needles
" Acne
" Bad breath
" Decreased sex drive
" Baldness
" Water retention
" Muscle cramps
" Aching joints
" Increased risk of muscle tears
" Increased risk of tendon injuries
" Increased risk of nose bleads
" Insomnia
" Decrease in immune system effectiveness
" Infertility
Men:
" Increased risk of prostate enlargement and cancer
" Decreased testicular size
" Gynecomastia (growth of breasts)
Women:
" Increased risk of cervical and endometrial cancer
" Increased risk of osteoporosis
" Irreversible enlargement of the clitoris
" Irreversible hoarsening and deepening of the voice
" Irreversible increase in facial and body hair
" Decreased breast size
" Amenorrhea
" Uterine atrophy
Where can I find more information
about Steroids?
Fact sheets on anabolic steroids, other illicit drugs, and related
topics can be ordered free, in English and Spanish, by calling
NIDA Infofax at 1-888-NIH-NIDA (1-888-644-6432) or, for those
with hearing impairment, 1-888-TTY-NIDA (1-888-889-6432).
Information on steroid abuse also can be accessed through the
NIDA Steroid Abuse Web Site (http://www.steroidabuse.org/). Information
on illicit drugs in general can be accessed through NIDA's home
page (http://www.drugabuse.gov/) or by contacting the National
Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information (NCADI) Web Site
(http://www.health.org/).
Reference:
http://www.nida.nih.gov/ResearchReports/Steroids/anabolicsteroids5.html
NIDA: Research Report Series: Anabolic Steroid Abuse
http://oak.cats.ohiou.edu/~kd227599/steroid_facts.htm