Anabolic steroids
- May 2, 2022
- Posted by: OptimizeIAS Team
- Category: DPN Topics
No Comments
Anabolic steroids
Subject :Science and Technology
Section : Basic
Content:
- Anabolic steroids are essentially lab-made versions of the male hormone testosterone.
- They have a similar effect of increasing muscle mass as the natural hormone
- It also increases male characteristics in a person, such as facial hair and a deeper voice.
- However, anabolic steroids are very different from the steroids that are prescribed by doctors for inflammations, several autoimmune diseases, or to suppress the body’s immune system during a Covid-19 infection. These medicines are called corticosteroids and are lab-made molecules that mimic the action of the hormone called cortisol that controls the body’s stress response, metabolism, and inflammation.
- Unlike corticosteroids, anabolic steroids have limited medical use. “Anabolic steroids are mainly misused by athletes and sportspersons nowadays.
How are anabolic steroids misused?
- Misused mainly by those who want to bulk up as it helps increase one’s muscle mass.
- Although no concrete estimate exists of the number of people using the drug across India, a 2018 study from Jammu and Kashmir found that 7.1 per cent of athletes used it.
What are the health impacts of anabolic steroids ?
- Use of anabolic steroids in the short-term can cause acne and hairfall.
- Extended misuse of the substance can also lead to gynaecomastia (growth of breasts in men) and erectile dysfunction.
- In women, it can lead to growth of facial hair.
- It may also cause extreme anger, paranoia, and impaired judgement.
- Long-term use can lead to kidney disease and even failure, liver damage and tumours, enlarged heart, and high blood pressure.
- It can also lead to stunted growth in teenagers.