The pros and cons of using preformance inhancement drugs (Steroids)

      

       Steroids also known as performance enhancement drugs have many names for them. They are referred to as roids, juice, hype, weight trainers, gym candy, arnolds, stackers, or pumpers. According to http://www.justice.gov steroids are man-made drugs close to sex hormones. Some pros of this drug are an increase in muscle mass, and development of sexual characteristics. Steroids are illegal and are only available with a prescription to improve conditions such as delayed puberty, impotence, and body-wasting in patients suffering from AIDS. Although they are illegal people still use them on a regular basis. For example, they are used by athletes to enhance athletic performance and to improve physical appearance. It is said from the National Drug Intelligence Center that steroids are mostly abused. Generally, people that use the drug normally ingest orally, inject them into the muscle, or rub them on their skin. It’s also said that abusers of the drug can take anywhere from 10 to 100 times over the limit than those using for medical reasons. The side effects also vary on how long someone is using the drug. It is said by heraldtribune that steroids “tend to cause fewer complications when applied to the skin or when inhaled for days or weeks for an allergic reaction or asthma. Injected steroids or oral doses taken for months or years are far more likely to cause serious side effects, as are injected steroids.” People taking over the counter steroids display little side effects as well. Children may show signs of delayed growth, but eventually achieve their normal height. It also helps cases of poison ivy or eczema. There are many negative effects to steroids. There are effects on guys and on girls using this drug. There are some serious long term effects for both men and women. These effects can be things like premature balding or hair loss, dizziness, mood swings, including anger, aggression, and depression. Also other things like, believing things that aren't true (delusion), extreme feelings of mistrust or fear (paranoia), problems sleeping, nausea and vomiting, trembling, high blood pressure, increased chance of injuring muscles and tendons, and yellowing of the skin. Lastly other effects can be liver damage, urinary problems, shortening of permanent adult height, and increasing risk of developing heart disease, such as stroke, and types of cancer. Cons for men are shrinking of the testicles, urination pain, development of breasts, unable to get an erection, and lastly unable to have children. These are not always things that occur but risks of using the drug. Furthermore, the risks for girls can be things such as excessive facial hair growth, developing masculine traits, like deeper voice. Also loss of female body characteristics, like shrinking of the breasts, and enlargement of the clitoris. Steroids in women can cause changes in menstrual cycle. To sum it up steroids can make people aggressive and combative; these effects are usually from long term use of steroids. After hearing the pros and cons about steroids the question is… Would you use steroids, or performance enhancement drugs aside from using them medically?

These are pictures from using anabolic steroids.