Question

Blackboard QUESTION 7 What are the negative side effects of anabolic steroid use in males? 3 (12pt) T T T Arialv

Answer 1

Anabolic steroids are synthetic drugs similar to male sex hormone, testosterone. Low levels of testosterone in males can lead to conditions like hypogonadism or infertility. Also, levels of testosterone drop with age. Testosterone supplements (anabolic steroids) are prescribed for specified conditions and not to counteract the natural age-related drop in its levels.

Anabolic steroids are generally used by athletes or bodybuilders for increased muscle mass and overall performance, though its use is illegal unless prescribed by a doctor. Doctors prescribe anabolic steroids to men whose body could not produce enough testosterone which is essential for the development of male reproductive organs and secondary sexual characters such as increased muscle and bone mass as well as strength.

Use of anabolic steroids comes with a number of side effects such as:

• Hypogonadism during withdrawl phase of steroids.
• Low sperm count
• Gynecomastia (breasts grow in size)
• Increased risk of Prostate cancer
• Infertility

Long-term negative side effects include:

• Cancer risk (liver, kidney or prostate)
• Heart complications (coronary heart disease, hypertension)
• Depression
• Liver disease (jaundice)
• HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis B (upon using contaminated needles and products).