Why Steroids should not be used
One of the problems you will see in lifting is steroids, a lot of “professional” lifters and even just your everyday lifters use these. Steroids are used as performance enhancers, it helps to build muscle faster and for the lifter using it to get higher weight performance. These outcomes are great to the lifters, but do they really know the cons of taking these, and the effects it can have on their body and health.
What can a steroid pill or injection really do to you? It can be that bad right? WRONG! Using these makes you higher at risk for cramping, which a cramp can’t be that bad right? WRONG again, what happens if you are benching 200lb or more and you get a cramp in your arm or chest ? that weight is coming down on you and can cause a serious injury or even death! Steroids are also known to lead to a higher chances of dehydration, dizziness and even depression, these small things you take or inject yourself with have a numerous amount of effects and downfalls on you through your performance and can lead to negative health problems.
As most people already know, this drug can lead to sexual side effects on both the male and female, causing serious health problems. For our male category, their testicles are know to shrink, their breast enlarge, and they have a risk of not being able to have children, they can become infertile. “The reason this happens is because the steroids over produce testosterone tricking the body into think the testicles do not need to produce testosterone, causing the testicle not to produce it and leading the male into becoming infertile.” For us females, we can obtain an over grown clitoris, breast shrinkage, and menstrual abnormalities and may become infertile “Since steroids replicate testosterone, steroid use may trigger hormonal shifts. As a result, women may experience menstrual abnormalities my occur. Women may experience fewer periods, lighter or heavier menstrual flow, erratic periods or unusual premenstrual symptoms. If a woman stops menstruating , a condition called amenorrhea, it may indicate infertility.”
Health and emotional effects steroids have on you are also very dangerous, first off those people who use injections have a high percentage of getting HIV and hepatitis “Many abusers who inject anabolic steroids may use non-sterile injection techniques or share contaminated needles with other abusers. In addition, some steroid preparations are manufactured illegally under non-sterile conditions. These factors put abusers at risk for acquiring life-threatening viral infections, such as HIV and hepatitis B and C. Abusers also can develop endocarditis, a bacterial infection that causes a potentially fatal inflammation of the inner lining of the heart. Bacterial infections also can cause pain and abscess formation at injection sites”. Either pill or injection may lead to higher chances of liver disease “Based on estrogen studies in 1970s and 1980s, steroids could lead to certain tumors and liver damage.” kidney disease and/or high blood pressure “steroids put the kidneys under stress and can lead to electrolyte imbalances and high blood pressure.” and an increase chance of a stroke or heart attack. Emotionally it throws you off, and these are the most common known effects that those taking steroids receive, such as mood swings, the smallest things will irritate you and cause you anger, which can turn into violent behavior and slashing out at people. Depression is another key factor for those taking this drug, and the main moments depression happens is when you stop taking it, because your body relies on it, and you go through withdrawals, causing risk of suicide or self harm.
Yes steroids are bad for you, who cares if it gives you a better lifting performance, or bigger looking body, tell me, is it worth all these risks? Is it worth risking your life over, do you want to chance hurting your self for the higher weight it allows you to do? Is not being able to have children okay with you? blood disease’s, like HIV or hepatitis, or high blood pressure and a heart attack? Would you want to be angry and irritable all the time, causing you to lash out at others? Do you want to feel depressed? My guess that all these questions are a no to you. These points right here should make anyone who wants to take steroids to rethink and say no to them. Steroids should not be used!
Citation: McLaughlin/August LiveStrong.com Cons of performance drugs. July 22 2015.
Citation: Mayo Clinical Staff Mayoclinical.org Performance-enhancing drugs: know the risk
Citation: Anderson/Leigh 2014-05-04 PharmD Drugs.com Abuse, side effects, and safety
Citation: ABC News, March 17 2005 abcnews.go.com/sports/health/story