Side Effects Of Steroids

According to Drugs and Controlled Substances, from 1997 to 2001 the steroid use of by 10th graders went up 1.5 percent. Steroids are anabolic drug that helps support rapid muscle growth enhances physical performance. Anabolic steroids work by increasing the amount protein the muscle cells produce and allows more fuel to be produced. Steroids are most often used by professional athletes and body building to get an edge over their competitors. Performance enhancing drugs are usually injected but can also be taken orally. Setting aside the increase in athletic performance steroids also come with a lot of side effects; many steroid abusers suffer from strokes, liver damage, and reproductive problems. Although steroid may help increase athletic
Even though steroids seem like they help the body grow and get strong most athletes suffer from health risks such as liver damage, strokes, and cardiovascular issues. Chris Doorley, explains throughout his article the repercussions of chronic use of steroids; he continues to explain how steroids can lead too liver problems and tumors. Many people think using steroids can only do good to their bodies, and ignore the risks that come with using, but do not realize the deadly, long term effects that can happen. Getting addicted to steroids is a very possible chance, and when one does, he/she has a more chance to acquire some of the health problems steroids cause. Also, if one does begin to be addicted to steroids, then he/she will want to continue taking steroids to their bodies fullest extent, or even further. Scott Douglas, an author from The Health Fundamental of Doping, states, “So do kidney and liver damage, plus shrunken testicles and enlarged breasts in men and facial hair, a deepened voice, and enlarged clitoris in women.” These are just a few health problems one could acquire from the abuse of steroids. A major health side effect of steroids is seen after you stop using them; while they do boost testosterone when off steroids their testosterone drops dramatically. After somebody gets off steroids they can’t produce testosterone naturally anymore because the body is so use to relying
Using steroids to gain advantage during a sport season can lead to the unfairness of the upperhand. Yes, it is true that not everyone is built exactly the same, but using a drug to enhance one's body to gain more in a shorter amount of time is not legitimate. While one athlete has been training super hard naturally and pushing them selves to achieve their goals, others who take steroids don’t have to work nearly as hard and can achieve the same goals. Also, since steroids can cause agrresive behavior, it is possible for one who is taking steriods to become hostile while on the court, or on the field, and could possibly hurt another. Mike Austin states, "The use of performance-enhancing drugs undermines a character-focused approach to sport." The advantage that athletes gain from steroids can ruin the integrity of sports. Having a higher performance takes away from fair competition. It also makes athletes not have to work as hard to achieve one's goal. Kirk Mango continues to explain throughout his article that people who abuse steroids ruin their reputation in the sport and also ruin their reputation as role models for the youth of the world. Mango also explains how kids in high school and college students think using steroids is the only way to gain muscle and be able to play the sport they love. Even though they can do both gain muscle and play the sports they want with