STEROIDS
Two Basic Types
 CORTISOL-favors breakdown of
cellular energy stores and even
protein, to provide glucose. It can
be useful during stress. Used in
anti-inflammatory drugs such as
prednisone. It can treat breast
cancer and anemia.
 ANABOLIC-favors the synthetic
and accumulation of protein by
muscle cells, which can increase
muscle mass at an alarming rate.
Background history of Anabolic Steroids!
Anabolic steroids are a group of powerful compounds
that are closely related chemically to the male sex
hormone testosterone. These artificial substances
were first developed in the 1930’s to help men whose
bodies produced inadequate amounts of the natural
hormone that is responsible for the development of
masculine characteristics occurring at puberty, such
as the lowering of the voice and growth of body hair.
By the 1930’s cholesterol and several steroids, including
testosterone, had been isolated and methods of
producing these established. Today 40 synthetic
steroids are marketed worldwide. Some are effective
orally (pills), others only after injection.
Why Steroids are abused
Why Steroids are abused
Why Steroids are abused
Why Steroids are abused

Steroids taken in combination
with a muscle building exercise
program may contribute to
increases in body weight and
muscular strength. As a result
of this , some athletes, in a
variety of sports have used
anabolic steroids hoping to
short cut their training while
enhancing their performance.
Today many young male and
female body builders are
abusing anabolic steroids.
Professional Athletes abuse: Lyle Alzado
Women body builders:
Why they look like men
Olympic Athletes abuse: Ben Johnson
Farm Animals: Cows
German Soldiers during WW2
Chinese Women Swimmers:
Olympic/World Championships
How Steroids work

Anabolic steroids are commonly selfadministered to produce significant side effects.
Doses in a cycle are increased and decreased
gradually, a process known as PYRAMIDING.
Several different anabolics may be used
simultaneously, a process known as STACKING.
This method gives the user a theoretical range of
different side effects. In general, steroids are
naturally occurring hormones. When these are
isolated, recreated and administered in doses 20
times the normal level, extreme side effects take
place. The chemical changes in the body effect
everything from absorption, metabolism, DNA,
and other neurological factors.
Side Effects
Side Effects

There are least 70 side effects as a result of anabolic
steroid use. These range from liver cancer, acne, as
well as serious psychological effects. The areas most
seriously effected by steroids are the liver and the
cardiovascular and reproductive systems. Resulting in
excess protein, heart disease, and sterility. In males
steroids can cause withered testicles and sterility. In
females it can cause irreversible masculine traits as
well as menstrual irregularities and sterility.
Psychological effects include aggressive, combative
behavior, known as “roid rage” and depression. Some
side effects might not show up for years, such as heart
attacks and strokes.
Caution!
Most steroids used legally are obtained
through the black market from under
ground laboratories and foreign
sources. The quality and purity of such
drugs are questionable at best.
Furthermore, while steroids may build
muscle, their intended effect increased
strength-may be offset by the fact that
the strength of tendons and ligaments
doesn’t increase with muscle strength.
This imbalance may result in injuries
that take a long time to heal.
Little research has been done to assess the
long-term effects of steroid use; nor is
there much clinical evidence of the
effects on women an adolescents.
Young people whose bodies are still
developing are particularly vulnerable,
as are women, because they have less
of the natural hormone.
Signs of Steroid use
• Athletes who use steroids in conjunction
with a weight training program can be
identified by their quick muscle and weight
gains. Other signs that may signal steroid
use are behavior changes, particularly
increased aggression and combativeness;
jaundice(yellow skin); purple or red color
spots on the body; swelling of feet or lower
legs; trembling; unexplained darkening of
skin; and persistent, unpleasant breath odor.
Why Do Men and Women React Differently To
Steroid Use
Men
Anabolic steroids mimic the natural
hormone testosterone that controls the
development of masculine
characteristics in adult males.
Steroid use may overload the body with
testosterone thus triggering the
hypothalmus, a portion of the brain that
regulates basic body functions, to shut
down further hormone production.
Testosterone production may remain shut
down when steroids are discontinued,
causing an imbalance of male and
female hormones the development by
males of female characteristics such as
enlarged breasts.
Females
The hormone is present is small
quantities in females.
In female bodies, steroid induced
levels of testosterone in excess
of the amount normal for
women can cause the
development of masculine
characteristics such as the
lowering of the voice and male
pattern baldness that cannot be
reversed when steroid use is
stopped.
Steroid side effects
Liver
Cancer
Jaundice
Tumors
Pelosis Hepatitis
Cardiovascular System
Cholesterol modifications
Heart disease
Anaphylactic shock
Death
High blood pressure
Septic Shock
Reproductive System
Genital atrophy
Genital Swelling
Sexual Dysfunction
Sterility
Impotence
Prostate Enlargement
Fetal Damage
Menstrual Irregularities
Psychological
Depression
Listlessness
Aggressive, Combative behavior
Steroid side effects-continued
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Other side effects
Acne
Edema
Hairiness in women(irreversible)
Male pattern baldness (irreversible in
women)
Oily skin
Stunted growth
Abdominal or stomach pains
Bone pain
Chills
Diarrhea
Changes in bowel and urinary habits
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Gall stones
Hives
Headaches (continuing)
Excessive calcium
Insomnia
Kidney stones
Kidney cramps
Muscle cramps
Nausea or vomiting
purple or red spots on body, iside of
mouth or nose
Rash
Sore throat
Unusual weight gain
Unexplained weight loss
Unpleasant breath odor
Unusual bleeding