What are the risks and side effects of steroids?

What are steroids?

Steroids is the term used for drugs that mimic natural hormones which regulate and control how the body works and develops.

The term covers two very different groups of medications: corticosteroids and anabolic steroids.

These groups have different ways of working in the body, with the main difference being corticosteroids are catabolic (breakdown) and anabolic steroids promote growth (are anabolic).

Catabolic corticosteroids are synthetic, anti-inflammatory medications designed to mimic hormones produced by the adrenal glands – the two small glands found just above the kidneys.

They are prescribed and available over the counter to treat a range of conditions including eczema, muscle, and joint pains such as arthritis and tennis elbow, inflammatory bowel disease and asthma.

Examples of prescription steroids include prednisolone, betamethasone and dexamethasone.

Anabolic steroids, which work differently to corticosteroids, are often misused illegally to improve athletic performance and increase muscle mass.

Anabolic androgenic steroids are manufactured drugs designed to mimic the effects of testosterone, the sex hormone mainly produced in the gonads – the glands involved in reproduction (testicles or ovaries).

Although both men and women produce testosterone, these levels are typically much higher in people assigned male at birth. Testosterone is also the hormone responsible for the development of physical characteristics that are commonly associated with people assigned male at birth, such as the appearance of facial hair.

Anabolic steroids can only be issued by pharmacists with a prescription. People who misuse anabolic steroids as performance-enhancing drugs are known to experience serious side effects and can also become dependent on them, leading to long-term addiction issues.

Learn more: Steroid facts

How do anabolic steroids work?

Anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) – the most misused steroids – are designed to mimic the effects of the male sex hormone, testosterone.

They work in the body by:

• Entering cells: steroids attach to special receptors in your cells, affecting how your body works.
• Boosting muscle growth: helping muscles grow faster by increasing how much protein your body makes, which is essential for building muscle. They also reduce muscle breakdown, allowing you to retain more muscle over time.
• Speeding up recovery: steroids allow your muscles to recover more quickly after exercise.
• Increasing male traits: enhancing features that are characteristic of biological males, including a deeper voice, more body hair, and changes in mood and sex drive.

Learn more: What are the different types of steroids?

What are the short-term risks and side effects of anabolic steroid misuse?

Short-term risks and side effects of steroid misuse include:

• Acne and oily skin: particularly on the face, back and neck. This is because steroids can increase oil production in the skin
• Gynecomastia: the development of breast tissue in men
• Testicular shrinkage in men
• Aggression and irritability also known as “Roid rage”
• Anxiety and depression
• High blood pressure
• Cholesterol imbalance: reduction in ‘good’ cholesterol and increase in ‘bad’ cholesterol, raising the risk of heart problems
• Fluid retention and bloating
• Liver inflammation
• Weakened immune system

These side effects can appear within weeks or months of steroid misuse. Although some effects may be reversed once you have stopped using steroids, others can lead to longer-term problems if use continues.

What are the long-term risks and side effects of anabolic steroid misuse?

Some of the most serious long-term risks and side effects of steroid misuse include:

Physical effects

• Cardiovascular problems: such as heart disease, increasing the risks of heart attacks and strokes, and heart enlargement, with increased risk of heart failure
• Liver damage: including liver tumours, cysts, liver cancer or liver failure
• Kidney damage: including reduced kidney function or even kidney failure

• Hormonal imbalances: long-term use can suppress hormone production, leading to reduced sperm count and permanent infertility in men.

  It can also cause breast tissue growth in men (gynecomastia), and the development of masculine features in women (deepened voice, increased body and facial hair) along with menstrual irregularities

• Musculoskeletal problems: including stunted growth in adolescents. Rapid muscle growth from steroid use can also outpace the strengths of tendons and joints, leading to an increased risk of injuries or tears

Psychological effects

• Mood disorders: including mood swings, depression, anxiety or even psychosis/psychotic episodes
• Addiction and dependency: leading to withdrawal symptoms such as fatigue, depression and loss of muscle mass when you stop using steroids

Request a quote for a Steroid Drug Test

What are the risks and side effects of anabolic steroid use in women?

Risks and side effects of anabolic androgenic steroid misuse in women include:

• Development of masculine features, including a deepened voice, excessive hair growth on the body and face, and male-pattern baldness or hair thinning
• Enlarged clitoris
• Changes in body shape, including increased muscle mass and changes in fat distribution
• Irregular periods
• Infertility
• Mood swings, depression, anxiety and aggression (“Roid rage”)
• Skin problems, including acne and oily skin
• Liver damage including cysts, tumours and liver failure
• Kidney damage and failure
• Immune system suppression
• Bone and joint issues
• Fluid retention
• Sleep disturbances
• Increased risk of certain types of cancer, including liver cancer

What are the risks and side effects of anabolic steroid use for children and teens?

Steroid use in children and teenagers, particularly the use of anabolic steroids, carries significant risk of physical and psychological side effects.

Anabolic steroids are synthetic substances designed to mimic the effects of the male sex hormone, testosterone. This means that their use can be especially harmful during the growth and development stages of adolescence.

The risks and side effects of steroid use for children and teens, include:

• Stunted growth
• Hormonal imbalance, including delayed puberty and disruption of natural hormone production, which can lead to long-term reproductive issues
• Deepened voice, excessive facial and body hair, irregular menstrual cycles and breast reduction in girls
• Gynecomastia (development of breast tissue) in boys
• Aggression and mood swings
• Depression and anxiety
• Body image issues, such as an unhealthy obsession with physical appearance (body –- dysmorphia)
• Addiction and dependency
• Increased risk-taking – teens who misuse steroids are more likely to experiment with other drugs
• Other health risks including damage to the liver and kidneys, skin and hair problems, immune system suppression and bone and joint issues

How can you manage the side effects of steroid use?

The most effective way to manage the side effects of steroids is to only use steroids that have been legally prescribed to you by a medical professional.

Steroids that are legally prescribed for short periods in low doses do not tend to cause any serious side effects.

If you have been prescribed steroids to treat a specific condition, your doctor will monitor your health on an ongoing basis, including any side effects or symptoms you might be experiencing as a result of taking steroids.

They can also adjust your dosage for tapering off steroid use, to minimise the risk of withdrawal symptoms.

Where can I get a drug test for steroids?

Our state-of-the-art, accredited laboratory can test for a wide variety of drugs and their metabolites (breakdown products), including steroids.

We offer drug testing services to suit a range of needs, including for:

• private individuals who require a legally-instructed drug test for an official matter, such as custody or divorce proceedings, industrial tribunals or other legal issues
• family law professionals and social workers handling child welfare and custody disputes
• businesses implementing workplace drug testing
• contractors, freelancers, consultants, or new employees who need a drug test for work

For more information or to request a quote, call our Customer Services team on 01 402 9466 or email info@alphabiolabs.ie.