Sunday, September 24, 2006
Sexual Side Effects of Steroids
Anabolic steroids change the rates of testosterone in the body. This means that profound changes can occur in the reproductive systems of both men and women. Abuse of steroids can lead to increased physiological concentrations of testosterone. Meanwhile, the luteinizing hormone and follicle stimulation hormone (two hormones used in egg fertilization) production will decrease. High doses of steroids will lead to hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism (decreased function of the gonads or sexual organs).
In men, a decreased level of gonadotropin (protein hormones that stimulate ovulation) secretion causes a wearing away of the testes, as well as a decrease of sperm cell production. Oligo (reduced sperm count), azoospermia (absence of sperm in semen), and an increased number of abnormal sperm cells have been shown in men who abuse steroids, which results in decreased fertility. After stopping steroid use, fertility should return in about six months; but those who have taken extremely high dosages, such as bodybuilders, may never regain testicular functions.
A common side effect in men is gynecomastia (formation of breasts). Gynecomastia is caused by an increased level of estrogen (the female hormone) in the male body, and is irreversible except by surgery. Other side effects include: increased sexual desire, increased erectile dysfunction, and sexual aggressiveness, which increases the risk of getting involved in sexual assault.
In women, small amounts of testosterone are normally produced. Steroid use increases these levels. Increased male sex hormones in women decrease their amount of natural estrogen. This can result in the inability to ovulate (produce eggs), and cause abnormal menstrual cycles. Abnormalities usually include amenorrhea (the absence of menstruation) or shortened menstrual cycles. Other side effects steroid in females include: increased sexual desire, hypertrophy (an increase in size) of the clitoris. In pregnant women, pseudohermaphroditism (having external genitalia of one sex and internal sex organs of the other sex), irregular growth, or even death can occur in the fetus.
Other common side effects of steroid abuse in women include: hair loss, reduction of bangs (the frontal hair line), lowering of the voice, increased acne (pimples), increased growth of facial hair, male pattern baldness, coarsening of the skin, and breast atrophy (shrinkage or wasting away). The deeper voice, decreased breast size, hair loss, and clitoral hypertrophy are all irreversible except by surgery.
In men, a decreased level of gonadotropin (protein hormones that stimulate ovulation) secretion causes a wearing away of the testes, as well as a decrease of sperm cell production. Oligo (reduced sperm count), azoospermia (absence of sperm in semen), and an increased number of abnormal sperm cells have been shown in men who abuse steroids, which results in decreased fertility. After stopping steroid use, fertility should return in about six months; but those who have taken extremely high dosages, such as bodybuilders, may never regain testicular functions.
A common side effect in men is gynecomastia (formation of breasts). Gynecomastia is caused by an increased level of estrogen (the female hormone) in the male body, and is irreversible except by surgery. Other side effects include: increased sexual desire, increased erectile dysfunction, and sexual aggressiveness, which increases the risk of getting involved in sexual assault.
In women, small amounts of testosterone are normally produced. Steroid use increases these levels. Increased male sex hormones in women decrease their amount of natural estrogen. This can result in the inability to ovulate (produce eggs), and cause abnormal menstrual cycles. Abnormalities usually include amenorrhea (the absence of menstruation) or shortened menstrual cycles. Other side effects steroid in females include: increased sexual desire, hypertrophy (an increase in size) of the clitoris. In pregnant women, pseudohermaphroditism (having external genitalia of one sex and internal sex organs of the other sex), irregular growth, or even death can occur in the fetus.
Other common side effects of steroid abuse in women include: hair loss, reduction of bangs (the frontal hair line), lowering of the voice, increased acne (pimples), increased growth of facial hair, male pattern baldness, coarsening of the skin, and breast atrophy (shrinkage or wasting away). The deeper voice, decreased breast size, hair loss, and clitoral hypertrophy are all irreversible except by surgery.
