Steroids are synthetic versions of hormones that the human body produces. Term steroid implies a synthetic version of the androgenic hormone testosterone, which is used in the sport to recover from training and muscle growth. And like any drug has positive and negative effects.
Skin problems
Skin is the largest organ of the human body and the most sensitive area when it comes to side effects, especially for women. The most common side effect is an increase in the pores of the skin, thus it becomes rougher. This is more prominent in woman when they use androgenic steroids because they have a soft and sensitive skin. Another big problem is acnes. Testosterone normally acts on the sebaceous glands and the newly entered amount of additional hormones burdens them, producing more sebum, clogging pores and infects and cause acne.
This and all the other side effects differ depending on the immunity of the person, as well as the type and amount of steroid used. Women are more prone to acne. Stretch marks can also occur, not directly because of taking steroids, but due to rapid muscle growth. The only way to prevent these stretch marks is to grow more slowly.
Heart problems
The risk that someone gets heart disease increases with the use of steroids. The use of steroids increases the cholesterol level in the system that causes thickening of the arterial walls, which of course in the worst version can be life-threatening. Steroids retain water and salt, which increases the blood pressure value. Cholesterol leads to the development of atherosclerosis, which can lead to heart attack and stroke. All bodybuilders are recommended that before using steroids consult a doctor and verifying that already have increased blood cholesterol. Additional factors that can cause heart problems are stress, high blood pressure and sudden weight gain. After the cessation of use of steroids cholesterol is back to normal.
Gynecomastia
Gynecomastia is a sudden increase in breast tissue in men. This occurs due to disturbances in hormonal balance, which may cause steroid use. Such condition can occur naturally and without their use. The liver converts’ excess testosterone to estrogen that acts on male breast as if they were women, increases them.
Impotence
In the first period of use of steroids user’s sexual power is increased. Unfortunately, this is only temporary as the body gets used to steroids. Prolonged use of steroids leads to the weakening of sexual desire and more difficult to get an erection.
By entering steroids reduces the secretion of testosterone in the testes of their own and they are subject to atrophy. Also, due to lack of testosterone there is a certain decrease in production of spermatozoa which all can lead to sterility. Fortunately, this is only temporary and can be prevented by the use of substances such as Proviron and HCG. Also after the cessation of steroid use, natural testosterone levels will be disrupted.
High Blood Pressure
The only way to control blood pressure is to regularly visit a doctor, unless you have the conditions that they are in control. There are no symptoms that will alert you that you have high blood pressure, until it is too high. These symptoms include headaches, vision problems, and dyspnoea. High blood pressure is usually driven by high retention of salt and water in combination with rapid weight gain caused by the use of steroids. Stress, excessive training and retention of breath with heavy lifting can also encourage high blood pressure.
Problems with liver
Use of steroids in pill form could damage the liver. Condition of the liver called peliosis hepatis is rarely, but in any case a threat to life, because it is usually discovered when the liver has already cancelling its functions. This disease ceases to be developed with the cessation of the use of steroids.
Effeminateness
Effeminateness occurs naturally only in men. Excessive levels of testosterone can often be converted into the female sex hormone estrogen resulting in some female characteristics, such as the formation and enlarge the breasts, the tendency toward fatty deposits, and extremely soft muscles. The first side effect can occur during, and after the cycle, and the other two (fat, soft muscles) usually occurs after cycle.
Masculinisation
Testosterone is a male sex hormone that is in low concentrations is in women, but in higher concentrations in women apparently can cause several side effects. In women leads to the development of male characteristics, such as increased hair growth on the face and body, deepening of the voice, enlarged clitoris, irregular menstrual cycles, the occurrence of acne, depression, aggression, changes in skin color, and increased libido. Unfortunately some of these changes are irreversible. But this process is due to use of highly androgenic steroids in high doses and for a longer period. Remember everybody is different and these side effects can vary a lot from person to person.