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What are steroids ?
"Any of a large group of fat-soluble organic compounds,
as the sex hormones, most of which have specific physiological
action." 1
"A group name for lipids that contain a hydrogenated cyclopentanoperhydrophenanthrene
ring system. Some of the substances included in this group are
progesterone, adrenocortical hormones, the gonadal hormones, cardiac
aglycones, bile acids, sterols (such as cholesterol), toad poisons,
saponins and some of the carcinogenic hydrocarbons. 2
Steroids fall into the following categories:
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Anabolic steroids (Androgenic) |
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- The type of steroids most likely to be misused are the
Anabolic steroids.
- Anabolic steroids are related to
male sex hormones, like testosterone. "Anabolic"
refers to muscle-building or protein building, and "androgenic"
refers to increased masculine characteristics.
"Steroids" refers to the class of drugs. "Testosterone"
is found in the testes in men and in small amounts in the
ovaries of woman. It is used by the body to controls blood
pressure, appetite, and effects moods.
- There are over 100 types of
Anabolic steroids - all need a prescription.
- Anabolic steroids are used to encourage the development
of muscle tissue, increase strength, reduce swelling, and
increase muscle size. They
are used to treat conditions that occur when the body produces
abnormally low amounts of testosterone: ex. anemia, delayed
puberty and some types of sexual dysfunction's (impotence).
- They are also be used in the treatment of cancer (leukemia,
breast), mental disorders, severe burns, and for treating
diseases that result in a loss of lean muscle mass.
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Corticosteroids |
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- The body naturally produces this steroid in the adrenal
glands. The brain regulates the level cortisol
in the body. The use of steroid medicines may affect the
natural production of this steroid within the body. As our
bodies relate to anxiety and stress, cortisol keeps us from
becoming sick.
- Cortisols are used to treat asthma, and other chronic
lung diseases, as corticosteroids work well to reduce inflammation
and swelling, and in slowing the production of mucus that
can block the airways and lungs. Steroid creams can help
relieve skin itching after cancer radiation treatment.
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Estrogens (Oestrogens) and Progesterones
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- Estrogens and Progesterones
are related to the female sex hormones, they are "estrogenic"
- Responsible for the development of secondary sexual characteristics
in women (puberty) and maintaining the female reproductive
system. Progesterones are used for treatment of advanced
breast cancer and premenstrual syndrome. Birth control pills
contain synthetic estrogen and/or progesterones.
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How are steroids taken ?
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Steroids can be ingested, taken orally in pill form, or injected.
Steroids also come in the form of creams or gels that can be rubbed
on and absorbed by the skin.
Anabolic
steroids in common use by drug name >>> brand / trade
name:
Anabolic steroids are also known as:
Arnolds, Gym candy, Juice, Pumpers, Roids, Stackers, Weight Trainers,
and more
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What are the possible effects
of Anabolic steroids use?
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Chronic / long term use of
Anabolic steroids may cause:
- Stunted growth: The use of anabolic steroids by youth
may artificially signal the bones to stop growing sooner
than they normally would have done.
- Quick weight and muscle gains
- Behavioral changes: extremely aggressive behavior or
"Roid rage"
- Severe skin rashes, purple or red spots on body, unexplained
darkness of skin, jaundice
- Severe acne on shoulders, neck, and face
- Loss of appetite
- Persistent unpleasant breath odor
- Swelling of feet or lower legs
- Sexual function problems
- Risk of infectious diseases, HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis. Risks
related to needle sharing.
Additional effects in males
- Development of breasts
- Premature balding.
- Shrinking of the testicles
- Impotence, male infertility
Additional effects in females
- Deepening of the voice
- Loss of scalp hair while increase in body hair
- Development of the jaw
- Enlargement of the clitoris
- Smaller breasts
- Fewer menstrual cycles.
*** Some of these effects may be irreversible |
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What are
the risks associated with pregnancy and Anabolic steroids
use ?
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- Infertility can result from an extended period of anabolic
steroid use.
- May cause growth retardation of the fetus.
- Risk of pseudohermaphroditism - baby born that has both
male and female physical body and character traits
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Symptoms of Anabolic steroid overdose:
- There is limited information at this time to establish
risks of overdose from the use of steroids.
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Withdrawal symptoms:
- Significant weight loss
- Depression
- Reduced sex drive
- Behavioral changes
- Trembling
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For further information on
steroids, we have included these links:
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Full text - Articles, booklets and fact sheets:
Web sites:
If you know of a good resource, feel free
to recommend it by sending
us a link and we will do our best to add it.
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- Webster's Universal College Dictionary, 1997 ed.
- "Steroid from On-line Medical Dictionary" (1997.)
CancerWEB,
< http://cancerweb.ncl.ac.uk/cgi-bin/omd?steroid
> [April 26, 2003].
- Bahrke, Michael S. , Charles E. Yesalis III, and James
E. Wright. "Steroids and Mental Health" (Ch
5; p.9) Psychological and Behavioural Effects of Endogenous
Testosterone Levels and Anabolic-Androgenic Steroids Among
Males: A Review (1990)
< http://www.mesomorphosis.com/articles/bahrke/bahrke09.htm
> [April 20, 2003].
- "DEA Briefs & Backgrounds : Drugs & Drug Abuse,
Drug Desriptions, Steroids Factsheet. " (March 2003)
U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.
< http://www.usdoj.gov/dea/concern/steroids_factsheet.html
> [April 15, 2003].
- National Institute on Drug Abuse. National Institute
of Health. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
"Steroids (Anabolic-Androgenic)" (January
2001) NIDA : InfoFacts
< http://www.nida.nih.gov/Infofax/steroids.html
> [April 21, 2003].
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
(SAMHSA). U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
"NCADI: Drugs of Abuse". (1997)
Inventory #RP0926. National Clearinghouse for Alcohol
and Drug Information (NCADI).
< http://www.health.org/govpubs/rpo926/.
> [March 01, 2003].
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For further information, check
out our Youth
Resources page.
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