Anabolics are misused for their effect on muscles, as they stimulate the production of new muscle fibers, promoting muscle mass gains, for this reason, anabolics are misused primarily by physical activity practitioners for the purpose of increasing muscle mass or for aesthetic purposes.
Because they are used without medical advice and in insufficient amounts, anabolic steroids can cause various side effects, such as arrhythmias, mood swings and loss of liver function, therefore, the use of these substances is only indicated in situations where hormone replacement is mandatory and should be used according to the doctor’s instructions.
Learn more about anabolic steroids and when they may be indicated
The main effect of anabolic steroids is the increase in muscle mass, since after being transported into the bloodstream, the substance reaches the muscles and stimulates the production of new muscle fibers, resulting in an enlargement; However, what happens is that anabolics are used without medical advice and in large amounts, which is not advisable, and can lead, in the long run, to side effects that can be irreversible.
In addition, in adolescents, testosterone administration can lead to premature closure of epiphysis, resulting in a disruption of growth.
The likely cause of acne as an adverse effect is related to the stimulation of the sebaceous glands, by testosterone, to produce more fat.The sites generally affected are the face and back.
The appearance of stretch marks on arms and legs is associated with rapid muscle growth, induced by steroids.
The misuse and indiscriminate use of anabolic steroids can increase the risk of tendon injury, since the osteoarticular structure cannot track muscle growth, inhibiting collagen synthesis in ligaments and tendons.
When testosterone levels are too high, the body begins to inhibit the production of this hormone; This phenomenon, called negative feedback or negative feedback, involves inhibiting the secretion of gonadotropins by excess testosterone. Gonadotropins are hormones secreted in the brain, which stimulate sperm.production in the testes, therefore, if inhibited by testosterone, they will stop stimulating the testicles to produce sperm, which can cause testicular atrophy and infertility.Understand, in more detail, how male hormonal control works.
Generally, when you start using anabolic steroids, sexual desire increases as testosterone levels increase; However, when levels of this hormone reach a certain concentration in the blood, our body begins to inhibit its production, a phenomenon called negative feedback or negative feedback, which can also cause sexual impotence.
Breast enlargement in men, also known as gynecomastia, occurs because excess testosterone and its derivatives are converted into estrogens, which are female hormones responsible for the enlargement of the mammary glands.
In women, the use of anabolic steroids can cause an enlarged clitoris, an increase in facial and body hair and a change in tone of the voice, which are male sex characteristics, induced by testosterone.
Anabolic steroids lower good cholesterol (HDL) and increase bad cholesterol (LDL), blood pressure and left ventricle, which are risk factors for developing cardiovascular disease.In addition, enlargement of the left ventricle of the heart has been associated with ventricular arrhythmia and sudden death.
The misuse of testosterone injections, in addition to being toxic to the liver and many substances used are resistant to metabolism, also contributes to increased levels of certain enzymes related to liver toxicity, which can cause damage, or even tumors.
Hormonal hair loss, also called androgenetic alopecia or baldness, is caused by the action of dihydrotestosterone, which is a derivative of testosterone, in hair follicles; In people with genetic predisposition, this hormone binds to scalp receptors causing thinning and thinning of the hair, so the use of testosterone and its derivatives can aggravate and accelerate this process, increasing the amount of dihydrotestosterone that binds to the follicles.
The best way to avoid all of these side effects is to avoid anabolic steroids and adopt a healthy diet with supplementation tailored to the type of workout. Watch the video below with some tips on what to eat to gain muscle mass: