Derived from testosterone, the main male sex hormone, anabolic steroids (ASs) are medications that promote cell growth and tissue development in the body. Although this category has several medical applications, its use for aesthetic or performance purposes is, in addition to being risky for the user’s health, prohibited in Brazil.
Prepared by at least five professionals and published in 2014, the study “The global epidemiology of anabolic-androgenic steroid use: a meta-analysis and meta-regression analysis” (equivalent to “The global epidemiology of the use of anabolic-androgenic steroids: a meta-analysis and meta-regression analysis” in free translation into Portuguese), available in the scientific journal “Annals of Epidemiology”, points out that approximately 3.3% of the world’s population uses EAs.
Even with professional guidance, the use of these substances – also called bombs or juices within the fitness world – can lead to several adverse effects, such as increased irritability, skin oiliness, blood pressure and heart risk.
In an interview with the column, doctor Vinícius Amaral explains the risks that using this class of medications without clinical need can generate: “In the short term, we have acne, fluid retention, mood changes and increased blood pressure. Many become more irritable and have more difficulty sleeping. The blood becomes more viscous, as the hematocrit increases. There are also changes in cholesterol – while the so-called ‘good cholesterol’ (HDL) falls, the ‘cholesterol bad’ (LDL) increases, which is a danger to the cardiovascular system.”
“In the long term, there is an increase in the risk of heart attack and stroke. This occurs due to the clogging of blood vessels. There is cardiac hypertrophy, which can lead to heart failure – the heart becomes larger and, consequently, has more difficulty pumping blood. We also have the suppression of the natural production of testosterone and testicular atrophy – which can make the user infertile”, adds the health professional.
Amaral also points out that there are possible adverse effects observed by men and women. “Among men, it is possible to develop gynecomastia and erectile dysfunction (…) Women can observe a deepening of the voice, an increase in the amount of body hair, irregularities in menstruation and enlargement of the clitoris”, he highlights.
Although the presence of side effects is multifactorial, people who are not prone to developing any of the problems mentioned can also be affected by them, as mentioned by doctor Gabriella Criscuolo Mukics: “In high-dose protocols and the combination of multiple drugs, cardiovascular risk increases greatly, including in previously healthy young patients.”
Finally, Gabriella remembers that AEs can also contribute to the development of psychological problems, such as depression, anxiety or even dependence on these substances.
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