Anabolic Steroid Abuse And Side Effects Essay

Anabolic Steroid Abuse And Side Effects Essay, Research Paper I. Introduction II. What are Anabolic Steroids? III. Which kinds are their? IV. What are the benefits of using Anabolic Steroids? a. Physical side effects b. Behavioral side effects c. Functional side effects V. Why do women take them? VI. What is steroid abuse? VII. Conclusion I. Introduction Anabolic steroids have been around since the 1930s. While they started out solely for medical purposes, they have now become widely accepted for recreational endeavors and heightened athletic performance. Though highly accepted, they are still very illegal without a written prescription. While they have surpassed their medical uses and found their way into top athletes and body builders, they have also crossed the gender

barrier. Men are not the only users anymore. More and more women have felt the effects of anabolic steroids and before you think they are the thing for you maybe you should read this first. I. What are Anabolic Steroids? Anabolic steroids are synthetic substances that mimic the male sex hormones known as androgens. This is where the true name anabolic-androgenic steroid is derived, but for familiarity purposes they are referred to only as anabolic steroids (no purely anabolic agent has ever been synthesized). Specifically, they are synthetically produced to act as the male hormone testosterone. Testosterone has a 17-carbon core, like its replication- the anabolic steroid, and is credited for the promotion of growth of skeletal muscles and the development of male sexual

characteristics. It has both androgenic (masculinization) and anabolic (tissue-building) effects in the human body. Functions of testosterone include increased numbers of red blood cells, improved calcium deposition in the bones, muscle enlargement, increased body hair, thickening of vocal chords, and growth and development of the prostate gland (Hickson, Ball, Falduto; 1989). Women have naturally occurring testosterone already present in their bodies, but in such small amounts not to notice any of testosterone’s true effects. Anabolic steroids were developed to treat conditions in men like hypogonadism (when testes do not produce enough testosterone for normal growth , development and sexual functioning), some instances of impotency, and HIV and other infectious diseases.

Through experimentation, though, scientists found in lab animals that anabolic steroids could facilitate the growth of skeletal muscles and with this is where the weight lifters and athletes come in to play. Since then over 100 anabolic steroids have been developed and most of them still remain illegal without consent from a doctor. While they were initially created for male related irregularities, they are now finding their way into a woman’s body and becoming a part of some women’s daily routine. II. Which kinds are their? Winstrol, Testgro, Testo Prop, Halotestin, Anadrol, Stromba…. the list goes on and on of the common street names for anabolic steroids http://www.pharm.arizona.edu Basically though their are 5 popular separate products being sold individually or in a

combination with others that can either be taken orally or injected with needles. This list is Androstenedione, 4-Androstenediol, 5-Androstenediol, 19-Norandrostenedione, and finally 19-Norandrostenediol http://www.betterbodz.com . First, lets consider the “andros.” They are not drugs and can be sold legally as dietary supplements in health food stores http://www.nida.nih.gov ). Androstene is naturally produced by the body’s adrenal gland. But with the help of scientists, the andro that is on the market has been biochemically enhanced. In other words, it is one enzyme away from being the infamous testosterone. With andro (approximately 200 milligrams a day) you have the capabilities of increasing the circulation of testosterone by anywhere from 200 to 400%. This is why