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What effects do anabolic steroids have in adults? Steroids and Gynecomastia
In males, excess anabolic steroids are metabolized into female
sex hormones.(1-4) This leads to growth of
the breasts in men, known medically as "gynecomastia" or "man breasts" (2,5,6)
While dramatic breast growth does not occur in every case of
steroid abuse, it is an irreversible side effect.(4,7)
Testosterone is produced by the testes at the rate of 4 to 10
milligrams per day.(8) When a male takes anabolic steroids,
the body detects the excess steroids and signals the testes to stop
producing them. When they stop producing testosterone, they also
stop producing live sperm.(2,9) Long periods of
anabolic steroid abuse lead to infertility and reduced testicular
size(4,5,10) In adult males, the testes begin to
function again within 6 months after steroids are
withdrawn.(1,4,11) It is not known whether anabolic
steroids have a different effect on testicular function in
adolescent males.(12)
REFERENCES
1. Knuth UA, Maniera H, Nieschlag E. Anabolic steroids and semen
parameters in bodybuilders. Fertility And Sterility 1989
Dec;52(6):1041-7.
2. Wagner JC. Abuse of drugs used to enhance athletic
performance. American Journal Of Hospital Pharmacy 1989
Oct;46:2059-67.
3. Wilson JD. Androgen abuse by athletes. Endocrine Reviews
1988;9(2):181-99.
4. Johnson MD. Steroids. Adolescent Med 1991 Feb;2(1):79-93.
5. Giannini AJ, Miller N, Kocjan DK. Treating steroid abuse - a
psychiatric perspective. Clinical Pediatrics 1991
Sep;30(9):538-42.
6. Council on Scientific Affairs. Drug abuse in athletes. J
Am Med Assoc 1988 Mar 18;259(11):1703-5.
7. Huang QF, Gebrewold A, Altura BT, Altura BM. Cocaine-induced
cerebral vascular damage can be ameliorated by Mg2+ in rat
brain. Neurosci Let 1990;109:113-6.
8. Hough DO. Anabolic steroids and ergogenic aids. Am Fam
Physician 1990 Apr;41(4):1157-64.
9. Kibble MW, Ross MB. Adverse effects of anabolic steroids in
athletes. Clinical Pharmacy 1987 Sep;6:686-92.
10. Creagh TM, Rubin A, Evans DJ. Hepatic tumours induced by
anabolic steroids in an athlete. J Clin Pathol 1988;41:441-3.
11. 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.
12. Buckley WE, Yesalis CE, Friedl KE, Anderson WA, Streit AL,
Wright JE. Estimated prevalence of anabolic steroid use among
male high school seniors. J Am Med Assoc 1988 Dec
16;260(23):3441-5.
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.