Anabolics Mall
What are the effects of steroid use/abuse on teens?
Anabolics can affect bone growth during puberty: The long
bones of the legs and arms are still growing in early adolescence.
Plates of cartilage called "epiphyses" are present in the arms and
legs at birth. Bone lengthens from them until a certain point in
time at the end of puberty. A surge of the body's natural steroid
hormones causes the epiphyses to close and become solid bone.
After they close, the body's long bones stop growing. Adult height
is fixed. Taking one or more anabolic steroids during puberty in
athletic doses imitates the hormone surge at the end of
puberty.(1,2) The epiphyses may close early, locking
the adolescent into a shorter adult height.(2,3)
Acne is increased by anabolics.(1,2,4) Acne
decreases when steroid use is stopped, but may leave extensive
scarring.(5) In one reported case (4), acne was
severe enough to send the steroid user to the hospital. Drugs
prescribed to treat acne (such as tetracycline and isotretinoin)
may become toxic at normal doses if taken by a steroid
abuser.(6) When the liver enzymes are occupied by
anabolics, they are unable to deactivate these prescription drugs
at a normal rate. The prescription drugs accumulate in the body,
leading to toxic effects.(6)
Male pattern baldness occurs in both male and female steroid
abusers.(1,2,6) Some medical authorities feel that
hair growth returns when steroids are stopped.(6) Others
say that hair loss is irreversible.(2)
REFERENCES
1. Yesalis CE, Wright JE, Bahrke MS. Epidemiological and policy
issues in the measurement of the long term health effects of
anabolic-androgenic steroids. Sports Medicine 1989
Sep;8(3):129-38.
2. Wilson JD. Androgen abuse by athletes. Endocrine Reviews
1988;9(2):181-99.
3. Kopera H. The history of anabolic steroids and a review of
clinical experience with anabolic steroids. Acta Endocrin
1985;271:11-8.
4. Heydenreich G. Testosterone and anabolic steroids and acne
fulminans. Arch Dermatol 1989 Apr;125:571-2.
5. Merkle T, Landthaler M, Braunfalco O. Acne conglobata-like
exacerbation of acne vulgaris after ingestion of anabolic
steroids and vitamin-b complex (in german). Hautarzt 1990
May;41(5):280-2.
6. Johnson MD. Steroids. Adolescent Med 1991 Feb;2(1):79-93.
by Trent Tschirgi, R. Ph.
(c) 1992 University of Maryland Office of Substance Abuse Studies.
All Rights Reserved.
Disclaimer: Steroid use is illegal in a vast number of countries around the world. This is not without reason. Steroids should only be used when prescribed by your doctor and under close supervision. Steroid use is not to be taken lightly and we do not in any way endorse or approve of illegal drug use. The information is provided on the same basis as all the other information on this site, as informational/entertainment value.
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Disclaimer: The information presented is intended to be used for educational purposes only. The statements made have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (U.S.). These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any condition or disease. Please consult with your own physician or health care practitioner regarding any suggestions and recommendations made.