Harmful Effects Of The Use Of Anabolic Steroids In Sports

Harmful effects of the use of anabolic steroids in sports

When practicing certain sports, we all want to improve our performance as soon as possible. With good planning, adequate food and sufficient rest we can achieve our objectives and improve sports performance. However, certain people use anabolic steroids to further improve their performance and sometimes do not know the harmful effects that these substances can have on our body.

Anabolic steroids

Anabolic steroids are not the only doping substances used by athletes to improve their performance, but the most common. This is especially common in sports such as bodybuilding or in high -eased sports such as Crossfit.

These substances are synthetic compounds that emulate the action of testosterone, that is, they are derived from this. Testosterone has an anabolic effect on our body, promoting the synthesis of muscle cells and the growth of existing ones. Therefore, the consumption of anabolic steroids will enhance the development of our muscles and strength gain.

Anabolic steroid users

We have to differentiate two usual types of consumers from these substances. First we have elite bodybuilders or athletes who need this extra contribution to be competitive in their disciplines. Today, no bodybuilder can reach a high level of competition without consuming, to a greater or lesser extent, these chemical compounds. Generally, these athletes are advised by a doctor to minimize the harmful effects and take them during the shortest possible time.

The second type of consumer is the one who should worry us. They are regular people to the gym but do not practice any sports at the competitive level. They use these substances as ‘shortcut’ to more easily achieve a better performance or physical. These people have only the information of Internet forums and not that of a professional, and will experience all the side effects of anabolic steroid taking.

Harmful effects

We must remember that these substances are drugs and, as such, they have adverse effects that may appear at any dose. In fact, anabolic steroids are usually used at much higher doses than recommended, so the harmful effects are much more striking, and we should not consume them under any circumstances.

Androgenic effects

As are derived from testosterone, in addition to the anabolic effect that this hormone has, it also has androgenic effects. These effects include:

• Increased sexual desire.
• Acne.
• Greater aggressiveness and impulsivity.
• Alopecia.
• Virilization in women.
• Gynecomastia (breast development in men) by aromatization of testosterone to estrogen. This is produced by excess testosterone, and the aromatase enzyme transforms it into estrogens.

Although sexual desire increases, as they are exogenous, the organism stops producing testosterone in the male testicles. This leads to testicular atrophy and, when we stop taking the anabolizers, if we do not follow adequate treatment, we will experience impotence and decreased sexual desire. All this comes from a hormonal dysregulation produced by the external introduction of an already synthesized hormone inside our body.

Hepatotoxicity

Most anabolizers are toxic to liver tissue. Our liver suffers metabolizing them, and that is why they are usually used in injectable preparations, so that it does not pass through the liver as much as if they were consumed orally.

Although they do not completely reduce adverse reactions, it is normal to use liver protectors during the time the anabolizers are consumed. However, as are expensive products, many inexperienced users decide not to take them. This can be fatal, and if we go out of dose or abuse its use we can take our liver to the limit and experience a fulminant hepatic failure.

Heart failure

One of the harmful long -term effects for the consumption of anabolic steroids is heart failure. Many bodybuilders experience this situation a few years after retiring, in the 50s, when it is normal for these conditions to appear from 70.

In conclusion, it is true that most anabolizers stimulate the growth of the muscle tissue of the heart (remember that the heart is also a muscle) and can develop concentric hypertrophy that dilates our heart but makes blood pumping. In advanced stages it is even necessary to perform a heart transplant or place mechanical devices that help you perform your function.