What Are the Dangers of Performance Enhancing Drugs?
Performance-enhancing drugs, such as anabolic steroids and hormone supplements, are a dangerous lifestyle choice for many athletes. Both men and women have been known to use these drugs to increase their strength and stamina. However, the side effects can range from unpleasant to deadly. Aside from the fact that performance-enhancing drugs can disqualify athletes from competing, drug users should consider the following dangers.
Severe Acne
Anabolic steroids can trigger extreme outbreaks of acne in both men and women. The most severe form of this is known as cystic acne and can appear on the face, chest and back. Not only can infection occur at the site of these outbreaks, lifelong scars will often remain after the acne is treated.
Hair Loss
Even young adults who use anabolic steroids can experience rapid hair loss. This side effect occurs in both male and female users. Steroids are known to trigger a form of alopecia known as telogen effluvium wherein the hair quickly sheds. This condition is sometimes irreversible. Men who are already predisposed to male pattern baldness may see the most extreme hair loss when using anabolic steroids. Even if a steroid user stops taking drugs altogether, the hair loss might continue.
Hormonal Imbalance
Most performance-enhancing drugs cause hormonal imbalance in users. For men, this can lead to the development of prominent breasts, as well as shrinkage of the testicles. With long-term use of steroids, a man's sperm count can be lowered to the point of infertility. Likewise, women can see extreme forms of hormonal imbalance with steroid use. Facial hair might develop, as well as a lower voice and changes in menstruation.
Liver Problems
The liver cannot adequately metabolize performance-enhancing drugs, such as anabolic steroids. To the body's filtration system, the drugs are very stubborn toxins. Taking these drugs may result in liver abnormalities, such as the growth of tumors. Liver damage can also occur and in extreme cases, the liver may stop functioning completely.
Cardiovascular Problems
Levels of LDL cholesterol, also known as the "bad" cholesterol, can quickly increase when a person uses anabolic steroids. Meanwhile, the "good" cholesterol (HDL) decreases when steroids are abused. Performance-enhancing drugs are also known to raise blood pressure to unsafe levels. All of these side effects will predispose a user to strokes and heart attacks.
Mental Disturbances
Performance-enhancing drugs make users more aggressive and prone to extreme mood swings. These psychological effects can range from mild irritability to psychosis. The term "roid rage" refers to the violent fits that are commonly associated with anabolic steroids. Mental disturbances grow more frequent and extreme with long-term use of performance-enhancing drugs.
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