Steroids are derivatives of the male hormone testosterone that are synthetic in nature. They are usually prescribed for 
muscle building, the enhancement of male performance, and to improve a man’s overall appearance. However, there are certain risks associated with using steroids. And these risks have to be seriously considered by anybody who thinks that this drug is the easiest solution to their aesthetic or medical condition.
For starters, high doses of steroids can affect the brain. It is for this reason that these drugs must be regulated and prescribed only by a qualified physician. Steroids affect the brain in such a way it can make a person feel euphoric, excessively happy, or even hyped-up. It can also cause sleep disturbances and serious psychiatric illness. It can also initiate very aggressive behaviors and psychosis. Paranoia and delusions are two of the most common side effects of steroids.
It is true that steroids have medicinal effects like pain relief and mood elevation. However, if the substance is abused, it can lead to tumors, cancer, jaundice, high blood pressure, retention of fluid, stroke, and heart attack. It can also cause kidney cancer, cholesterol build-up, trembling, and acne.
In most men, the use of steroids causes their testes to shrink. The drug is also known to reduce the count of sperm cells and cause total infertility to some. Steroids can also cause the hair to fall out, enlarge a man’s breasts, and affect his prostate.
Teenagers who use steroids would experience halted growth. Their adolescent development will be accelerated but their skeletons will never reaching its peak. Their body grows rapidly towards puberty but the bones are left behind in the process.
Steroids can also affect one’s vital organs and that’s a fact. As for the heart, the substance causes it to get enlarged, leading to heart failure. It will also harden the arteries and increases one’s cholesterol levels. The male reproductive system is affected as well. Since testosterone can be converted to estrogen, which is a female hormone, the development of female characteristic in males can be expected. It can also be noted that steroids can damage the liver and kidneys permanently.
So if you are planning to take steroids do so knowing that the above mentioned risks may cause much more harm than good. Always consult your doctor before starting any type of steroid program.
