We hear of the abuse of steroids in professional sports. For example, recently Lance Armstrong admitted to using performance enhancing drugs during his professional cycling career. Olympian Marian Jones, an American track and field medalist returned her medals for using illegal substances. And there are many others.

Teenagers are very concerned about their appearance. Athletes especially want to perform the best, look the best and still have all the other pressures of being a teen. It is even more difficult for guys with low self esteem. If they can use a steroid to bulk up their appearance, they often might try it. Anabolic steroids are synthetic substances that are similar to the male hormone called testosterone. The purpose to take them is to build muscle.

If you see strange pills in your son’s belongings find out what they are. Common steroids include: Andro, oxandrin, dianabol, winstrol, deca-durabolin, and equipoise.

There can be serious health risks and side effects from abusing anabolic steroids which include:

  • Stunted growth, permanently being short
  • Accelerated puberty changes
  • Kidney problems or failure
  • Liver damage
  • Heart problems, enlargement of the heart
  • High blood pressure
  • Changes in cholesterol in the blood; increasing the risk of a stroke or heart attack
  • Feeling good about yourself
  • Mood swings, sometimes manic-like leading to violence
  • Jealousy
  • Depression
  • Irritability
  • Delusions
  • Impaired judgment

 

Specific side effects of abusing steroids in males include:

  • Shrinking of the testicles
  • Reduced sperm count
  • Infertility
  • Baldness
  • Developing breasts
  • Increased risk of prostate cancer

 

Specific side effects of abusing steroids for females include:

  • Facial hair growth
  • Male-pattern baldness
  • Menstrual cycle changes or stopping
  • Permanently deepened voice

 

Drug abuse is never wise and the same holds true with steroids. If you suspect your teen is abusing steroids, get help.

Reference:
http://teens.drugabuse.gov/drug-facts/anabolic-steroids
http://www.cnn.com/2013/01/15/health/armstrong-ped-explainer