anabolic steroids

Anabolic-Androgenic Steroids (AAS)
Anabolic- refers to muscle building
Androgenic- refers to increased male sexual characteristics

What are they?

• Anabolic steroids are the synthetic variant of the male sex hormone testosterone.

administration

• Injection
• Orally (pills)
• Cream/ Gel

Cycling

• refers to a pattern of use in which steroids are taken for periods of weeks or months, after which use is stopped for a period of time and then restarted.
• used to prevent tolerance

legal uses (Prescribed)

• Steroid hormone definciency (delayed puberty)
• to treat diseases that result in loss of lean muscle mass (Cancer and AIDS)

illegal uses

• Enhance performance
• Improve physical apperance

effects on the body

• Acne
• Liver/Kidney tumors
• Cancer

effects on the body continued

• Heart attacks
• High blood pressure
• Fluid retention

effects on the mind

• Mood swings
• Anger (roid rage)
• Paranoid jealousy
• Extreme irritability
• Delusions
• Impaired judgment

MEN
-shrinking testicles
-decreased sperm count
-development of breasts
-risk of prostate cancer

WOMEN
-growth of facial hair
-deepened voice
-male pattern baldness

TEENS
-premature growth halt (risk of remaining short for life due to the body stopping growth once it gets a certain level of hormones)
- if caught in possession of steroids: jail time, fines, getting kicked off teams, forfeit of trophies, medals, and awards.

closing

• Steroids can improve performance and physical appearance but there are many risks involved. In addition to the health risks, getting caught with them can get you 1 year in prison as well as a $1,000 fine.
• Before use, ask yourself, is it worth it?

reference

• http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/anabolic-steroids
• Notes from class