Dangers of Steroid Abuse

All anabolic steroid use not prescribed by a licensed physician, is more properly defined as “steroid abuse”.  The reason for this is simple, “Steroids are very powerful hormones that can be extremely dangerous!”  They can cause a variety of health problems some of which can have lasting ramifications.  Although the twenty-three steroid related dangers listed below are not exhaustive, they certainly illustrate the risks and potentially harmful effects abusers face.

    Stunted growth.  Steroids can cause advancement and fusion of the epiphysis (growth plates in the bones).  As androgen levels rise it leads to bone age advancement.  When the bone plates are completely fused, growth is finished.  Furthermore, over-treatment with steroids can result in growth deceleration (slowing of the rate of growth).
     Increased risk of HIV and Hepatitis.  Because anabolic steroid users often do not have access to appropriate amounts of clean and sterile needles, or do not follow appropriate injection protocol, there is an increased risk of contracting HIV or other bloodborne pathogens.
    Increased risk of hair loss.  Anabolic steroids can convert to variants of Dihydrotestosterone, the recognized cause of premature hair loss.  In addition to contributing to loss, steroids can also expedite the process of male pattern baldness in predisposed users.
    Hypogonadism, the shrinking of testicles.  Because the body’s natural testosterone is no longer needed when anabolic steroids are administered, the body halts production of its own supply of testosterone results in a shrinking of the testicles.
    Increased risk of bodily hair growth.  This happens throughout the body, but not on the head, of both men and women.
    Elevated blood pressure.  Due to their ability to raise red blood cell count and Hematocrit levels, steroids can cause blood pressure to rise significantly.
    Increased amounts of LDL cholesterol (the bad kind).  This excess tends to remain on the cell walls causing conditions like atherosclerosis and heart disease.  An elevated LDL can generate a negative shift in triglycerides, which contribute to serious health problems.
    Lowered HDL cholesterol (the good kind).  HDL cholesterol is very dense, and actually helps to clear debris from arterial walls.  Lowering HDL cholesterol can increase the risk of coronary disease.
    Increased aggression.  Commonly referred to as “Roid Rage”, there is evidence that anabolic steroids contribute to increased aggressive behavior in some users.
    Addiction.  Although physical addiction to steroids is unlikely, the potential for psychological addiction is quite high.
    Enlargement of the left ventricle of the heart.  It has been well documented that coronary issues may result from the abuse of anabolic steroids, commonly beginning with the enlargement of the left ventricle.
    Liver toxicity. Orally administered anabolic steroids have been shown to increase the markers of liver function, and to cause liver toxicity.
    Edema (water retention). Elevated and imbalanced estrogen levels, coupled with increased sodium retention causes the user to retain water.
    Stroke.  Steroid use has been medically linked to an increased incidence of strokes.
    Steroids can lead to deathHeart attack.  Abusers of anabolic steroids face a variety of potential heart related complications, among which are an increased risk of heart attacks and the possibility of coronary disease.
    Prostate Enlargement.  Some steroids convert to Dihydrotestosterone and its variants, which can enlarge the prostate gland increasing the risk of urination problems and prostate cancer.
    Gynecomastia.  Certain steroids aromatize (convert to estrogen).  High levels of estrogen can cause the enlargement of mammary tissue in males, resulting in female-like breasts.
    Sexual dysfunction.  Some steroids directly cause a temporary of a loss of libido and sexual impotence.
    Infertility.  Some steroids cause a reduction in sperm count, resulting in decreased ability to reproduce.
    Deepening of the voice.  Although it occurs naturally in both men and women, steroid use can further deepen one’s voice.
    Clitoral hypertrophy.  Women who abuse steroids may experience an irreversible increase in clitoris size.
    Menstrual problems.  Female abusers may experience cycle irregularities, a hindrance or loss of menstruation, and further problems all of which contribute to a decline in reproductive ability.  

Young men dying from heart disease linked to steroid use

Men in their late 20s and early 30s who abuse steroids are dying from serious heart disease, a study has revealed.

But researchers say increasing numbers of steroid users are oblivious to the severe health risks linked to performance-enhancing drugs, including cardiovascular disease, reproductive failure, liver damage and high levels of aggression.

Nearly all men showed obvious signs of chronic steroid abuse, including overdeveloped muscles and shrunken, scarred testicles

The irony is that steroid users are often health-oriented, but they're using a drug that is damaging their bodies to the point it could kill.

The study examined 24 deaths in men aged 22 to 48 over the past 17 years where steroids were found in the system of the person who had died. Nearly all men - most employed as personal trainers, body builders and security guards - showed obvious signs of chronic steroid abuse, including overdeveloped muscles and shrunken, scarred testicles.

These men are doing major damage to their hearts and are substantially increasing their risk of death. For a very young group in their early 30s, their cardiac health looks like what you would expect of someone twice their age. More than half the men analysed had shrunken testicles, which is likely to impair the reproductive system.

While steroids were not the direct cause of death, 62.5 per cent of men died from taking toxic amounts of steroids together with other illicit drugs - including cocaine and methamphetamine - either alone or in combination with heart disease. More than half had serious heart disease, including thickened arteries and damaged heart muscles.

About a quarter of deaths were caused by suicide or homicide, which links long-term steroid use with an increased risk of aggressive and violent behaviour.

Steroid Use and Liver Cancer

Anabolic steroids have their legitimate uses, but abusing them can bring on a variety of health problems - some of which are connected to liver cancer.


Although well-documented reports linking steroids to liver cancer are rare, as more athletes use drugs to improve their performance or build their bodies, many types of dangerous side effects from the abuse of anabolic steroids are becoming known — and events are becoming more frequent.

Recently, there have been many instances in the news about famous athletes and performance-enhancing drugs, sometimes referred to as "doping." In most cases, the drugs that are being used are anabolic steroids. These drugs are manufactured steroids that behave like the male hormone testosterone. In the United States, it is illegal to use anabolic steroids without a prescription.

"Anabolic steroids are male-related hormones that can be used to increase muscle mass. When these drugs are abused they can have many side effects, including liver damage.

Liver Cancer: What Anabolic Steroids Can Treat

Anabolic steroids, under a doctor's prescription, will treat certain conditions in which increasing bone strength and muscle mass are required for health reasons. These medications can be helpful in the following types of cases:

    Delayed puberty
    Testosterone deficiency
    AIDS-related weakness

Liver Cancer: Anabolic Steroid-Related Liver Damage

Liver damage from anabolic steroids can cause a condition called cholestasis. With this condition, bile, a digestive fluid made in your liver, cannot get to where it needs to go and leaks out into your blood. Symptoms include:

    Itching
    Nausea
    Loss of appetite
    Dark urine
    Jaundice — the yellow discoloration of your eyes and skin

Damage to the liver is evident when enzymes called aminotransferases leak out of damaged liver cells into your bloodstream.

Another important point about anabolic steroids: They can be addictive. These steroids can cause steroid craving that leads to the need for more frequent and higher drug doses. Liver damage has been shown to be related to the cumulative effects of higher and more frequent use.

Liver Cancer: Can Anabolic Steroids Cause It?

Reports exist showing a slightly increased risk of developing liver cancer with long-term use of high-dose anabolic steroids. However,  the scientific evidence supporting a cause-and-effect relationship is weak.

But these steroids are known to cause tumors that form in your liver. Called hepatic adenomas, these tumors are not cancerous. However, they are dangerous because they can rupture and cause serious bleeding in the liver. There have been several reported deaths caused by bleeding from ruptured hepatic adenomas. The link between hepatic adenomas and anabolic steroid use in athletes is increasing. Recently, a case of a hepatic adenoma turning into liver cancer was reported.

Liver Cancer: Anabolic Side Effects

While there is not a strong link between liver cancer and anabolic steroids, there is strong evidence for serious liver damage. Other side effects of anabolic steroids include:

    High blood pressure
    Increased levels of bad cholesterol
    Mood swings
    Aggressive behavior
    Infertility in men
    Menstrual abnormalities in women

If you are an athlete or a body-builder and you are tempted to use anabolic steroids, consider that besides the legal and social risks involved, these drugs can and do cause life-theatening medical complications.

Steroid Abuse and Treatment

Who abuses anabolic steroids? Mainly body builders and athletes abuse steroids to alter their muscle mass and enhance performance however steroids can be abused by anyone. Unfortunately steroids have many negative side effects which may lead to severe psychological and physical changes.

What Is Anabolic Steroid Abuse?
It was not long ago when steroid use and abuse was within the domain of athletes, body builders and physical fitness fanatics. But the increased availability of drugs (including steroids) across the country has affected everyone, even school-age children. Media images promote the concept of the big powerful athlete, bulging with well-formed muscles. Insecurity develops within and steroid abuse offers a new way to achieve that look that seems unattainable. But is it worth the risk?

Anabolic Steroids, like any drug, have a profound impact on the brain’s neurotransmitters, which can set up mood and behavioral changes. Scientific research shows that anabolic steroid addiction and steroid abuse can cause aggression and other psychiatric side effects.

Warning Signs of Steroid Abuse
Men who become obsessed with body building and who ingest steroids to help them increase their muscle mass may have a distorted perception of their bodies, called muscle dysmorphia or megarexia. It is usually associated with low self-esteem and is related to feeling small or weak. Generally, these men adhere to a strict diet and constantly analyze their body images in the mirror. Frequent workouts with weights for extended hours in the gym are common. These men often abandon close relationships, careers and other forms relaxation in order to exercise more.

Signs of steroid abuse and addiction:

    Inflated self-esteem
    Extreme mood swings
    Depression
    Paranoid jealousy

    Extreme irritability
    Aggressive/violent behavior
    Delusions
    Impaired judgment

Anabolic steroids are taken orally or injected and when abused are taken in cycles that last weeks or months (referred to as "cycling"). Cycling involves taking multiple doses of steroids over a specific period of time, stopping for a period and then starting again. In addition, steroid users may combine several different types of steroids to maximize the effectiveness and minimize negative effects. This process is known as stacking. Prolonged use of steroids can lead to steroid dependence and a host of major medical problems.

Steroids are abused by both men and women, but the side effects differ by gender. For women many of the side effects are irreversible and can lead to fertility problems and masculinization.

Gender specific side effects:

Male Side Effects 

    Shrinking of the testicles
    Reduced sperm count
    Infertility
    Baldness
    Development of breasts
    Increased risk for prostate cancer

Female Side Effects 

    Growth of facial hair
    Male-pattern baldness
    Changes in or cessation of the menstrual cycle
    Deepened voice
    Diminished breast size

Steroid Addiction Treatment
Steroid withdrawal must be medically managed by an endocrinologist for the safest possible drug detox. The major health problems created by steroid abuse are related to the alterations in the levels of hormones in the body. Steroid withdrawal must be closely monitored and a specific steroid taper needs to be prescribed. Severe depression is the most common psychological side effect of stopping steroid use. Recovery Connection recommends going to a medical detox center because they are best equipped to prescribe medications for depression.

Many times, the withdrawal period will far exceed the actual tapering period. Steroid detox, which removes the steroids from the body, does not help with the severe self-esteem and psychological issues that may be the underlying issue for those struggling with steroid addiction.

Withdrawal symptoms can mimic other health problems and can include:

    Weakness
    Fatigue
    Decreased appetite
    Vomiting
    Abdominal pain

Some steroid abusers turn to other drugs to alleviate the negative effects of anabolic steroid addiction. Therapeutic interventions are recommended to handle steroid addiction, addiction to other substances and the accompanying psychological issues.