I once use to be crazy about having bigger pecs but wen I read a lot that I don't need it I shld jst continue wit ma'body fitness training,so I decided to share it 4 every1 planning to,so you may v a change in decision.kinda much sha.
Side effects of steriod use
The side effects that steroids have on the body are many and can cause some
serious side effects including cancers, but many sports users chose to ignore
any information on side effects, even to the point of using the excuse of “its
only the drugs abuse that causes side effects” but any drug that alters the
homeostasis of the body will have an effect.
Looking at the body in more detail we can look at how steroids can affect each
different part of the body:

Brain:
Studies have shown a pattern between high testosterone levels and aggressive
behaviour, which is often seen as the users involved in violent acts. Often
steroids have been used as an excuse for a person’s aggressive behaviour. High
dose users have also been affected with psychotic syndromes and a high level
of anxiety. Other effects that appear are, sleep disturbances, feelings of
euphoria, high levels of paranoia, various stages of depression, with some users
suffering extreme mood swings, and also changes in their personality. A large
number of users become dependant on steroid use which then can lead to
addiction.

Face:
Steroid use results in high levels of water retention (oedema) leading to the
user becoming “round faced” with puffy cheeks. In females reports have shown
the effect of a growth of facial hair quite common, bad breath is quite a
common effect as is the voice of females becoming husky by a deepening of the
voice. Steroids also commonly affect the skin of the face and body by causing
acne.

Eyes:
Long term use of steroids can actually damage the eyes, resulting in eye
infections, cataracts or glaucoma.

Hair:
Male pattern baldness is common in both females and males due to the
conversion of high levels of testosterone into dihydrotestosterone or DHT,
causing the hair follicles to shrink, which only then produces very fine hair.
Eventually with continued steroid use the hair follicle dies leading to
permanent baldness.

Heart:
This section the steroid user should be most concerned about, but normally
choose to ignore until a serious cardiovascular event happens. Steroid use
causes heart disease and becomes evident due to high increases in total
cholesterol levels, causing a build up of cholesterol on the walls of the blood
vessels which can also lead to strokes. Also shown is a decrease in the levels of
the good cholesterol (HDL) and increase in the bad cholesterol (LDL). Blood
pressure is known to increase and blood clots in blood vessels disrupting the
blood flow causing damage to the heart muscle leading to heart attacks.

Stomach:
Normal signs of problems to the stomach from steroid use include feelings of
being bloated, a feeling of being nauseous leading to bouts of vomiting with
blood sometimes being evident in the vomit caused by irritation to the stomach
lining and increased stomach acids with a lower level of stomach mucus.

Kidneys:
The kidneys are important for the elimination of waste material from the blood
and the regulation of salt and water levels. Another important function of the
kidneys is the regulation of blood pressure; high blood pressure damages the
blood vessels and filtering system of the kidneys. The occurrence of kidney
problems occurs mostly with the use of oral steroids with a suppression of
blood clotting factors leading to increased blood clotting time following cuts or
injury. The kidneys have to work harder with oral steroid use due to increase
requirements to filter the blood. Steroid users also normally resort to ultra high
protein intake, sometime far in excess of normal intake involved with weight
training which can lead to kidney stones. Kidney stones can block the opening
of the urinary tract leading to problems with urinary excretion. High blood
pressure can also cause problems to the kidneys by damaging the blood
vessels by causing thickening and narrowed blood vessels leading to a reduced
blood supply and filtration.

Liver:
The liver, the largest organ of the body is used to filter harmful toxins from the
blood and for storage of certain nutrients like vitamins/minerals. It is also
important for the managing levels of chemicals such as proteins, cholesterol
and sugars. The liver is also used for the production of bile to aid in the
digestion of food. Steroid use has been shown to cause irreversible liver
damage and cancers. Oral steroids are difficult for the liver to metabolise
leading to a decrease in the ability of the liver to clear waste products. Some
counterfeit steroids have been known to carry all kinds of bacteria and virus
leading to adverse liver function. Hepatocellular jaundice which is evident by a
yellowing of the skin and eyes, can be caused by an abnormal liver function as
the liver cannot effectively filter the blood.

Chest:
Breast development (Gynocomastia) from steroid use is a very common and an
often seen side effect of long term steroid cycles or high dose steroid use,
causes a formation of breast tissue which begins as visible lumps under the
nipples that normally requires surgical intervention. The breasts of female
steroid users can actually shrink in size.


Bones:
Use of steroids by teenagers and males in their early twenties who have not yet
ceased growing can impair bone growth leading to being shorter in height in
adulthood due to premature closure of epiphyseal growth plates. Bone pain can
also be a side effect of steroid use.
Muscle and Tendons:
The use of steroids can make a person feel stronger than they actually are,
resulting in trying to lift heavier weights than their body is actually capable of,
which can lead to muscle tears. The muscle can get stronger more rapidly than
the strength of the tendons then a greater possibility of tendon rupture is likely
to occur.

Skin:
Steroid use can have an effect on the user’s skin by
affecting the skin pores and causing roughness in the skin
texture. Other skin conditions that are often seen are red
blotchy, greasy skin with acne on the face and back. Stretch
marks can also appear due to rapid growth of muscle or a
thinning of the skin. As mentioned above steroids affect the
liver and a side effect is jaundice, this becomes evident by a
yellowing of the skin and eyes.
Impaired immune system:
An impaired immune function can occur with steroid use with problems
occurring after cessation and effects becoming more visible.

Oedema:
This means the appearance of being bloated and is caused by an accumulation
of fluid which is mostly seen as swollen ankles and fingers.

Prostrate gland:
The prostrate gland is specific to males and located just below the bladder, its
main functions are the production of prostatic fluid, a component of seminal
fluid and are also for maintaining sperm activity. Steroids are known to cause
an enlargement of the prostrate gland, and as the prostrate gland encircles the
urethra any swelling of the prostrate can cause interference in the urine flow.
Males should be made aware that any changes in the prostrate gland can also
affect sexual activity. Other effects that can happen are abnormal sperm and a
decreased sperm count.

Blood Poisoning:
Many steroid users are often frightened to go to a needle exchange to obtain a
supply of sterile needles in case they are labelled addicts, often resulting in the
use of, or sharing of non sterile needles, which can cause blood poisoning with a
higher risk of infection and infectious diseases. The user’s injection site can also
become swollen and tender and can lead to abscesses which can then lead to
the requirement of painful medical intervention.

Impotence:
Taking steroids will cause the testes to decrease its normal function. When
stopping the testosterone supplementation it takes a while for the pituitary
gland to signal the testes to once again begin manufacturing testosterone. In
long term or high dose testosterone use the testes can actually cease
production or can actually atrophy which can lead to a long delay in the testes
beginning manufacturing testosterone naturally. Impotence occurs after the
steroids cessation, and long term drug use causes lack of erections.

Females and Steroid Use

Many more females are now using anabolic
steroids to improve performance, increase
muscle size and or increase strength for
performance, but as with males there are side
effects to the female body, Many of the side
effects are identical to those of males, but
other side effects can be the growth of facial
hair, male pattern baldness, deepening of the
voice, breast size reduction, infertility. Other
effects include menstrual cycle changes,
infertility and possible clitoral enlargement.
From the side effects listed above we can see
that steroid use suppresses the production of
normal bodily hormones. The body will
attempt to adjust its own level of hormones,
but disrupting or increasing the body’s natural
hormones will cause disruptive changes to the
users own physical and mental environment.
Having been in the fitness industry and the world of bodybuilding for many
years I have heard all the excuses that people use to justify their use of
anabolic steroids some quite hilarious. I have also seen people; and this
includes friends, experience the drugs side effects. Some more serious than
others but serious health problems have in the end become evident. My advice
to anyone who is taking or even contemplating taking these drugs either for
appearance, ego or as an easy option to hard training is to stay well away from
them. They will affect you in some way, some minor effects with short term use,
but more serious side effects with high dose long term use.

www.muscleandstrength.com/articles/steroids-and-their-harmful-side-effects.html