Los esteroides anabólicos

Today we are going to talk about a subject that has certainly gained a lot of attention in the sports and health world: anabolic steroids. If you have ever wondered what they are, why some people use them and what the associated risks are, this article is for you.

What are steroids?

Natural steroids are molecules produced by the human body from cholesterol. Male and female sex hormones, namely oestrogen, progesterone and testosterone, are steroid hormones.

Anabolic androgenic steroids are synthetic hormones which have a chemical structure similar to testosterone and cause an increase in muscle mass and strength. The use of these substances has become widespread and is increasing year by year. Although the majority of users are male, the number of women using these products is on the rise.

Corticosteroids are drugs that doctors prescribe to control inflammation. They are not to be confused with anabolic steroids.

Why do people use steroids?

The use of anabolic steroids has become common among athletes and bodybuilders for performance enhancement. By increasing the concentration of testosterone, muscles become more developed and stronger.

However, when steroids are taken in high doses and for prolonged periods of time, they can cause serious side effects. Using steroids in cycles (taking steroids for a period of time, then stopping and then starting again) does not prevent the negative effects of steroids.

What are the risks of using them?

Hormones, including testosterone, regulate a number of processes in the body. When the testosterone concentration in the blood is kept ‘artificially’ high on a continuous basis, dysregulation occurs, which affects various organs.

At the testicular level, they cause infertility, as anabolic steroids interfere with other hormones, inhibiting the production of sperm cells. In high doses, they can also cause decreased libido, impotence (inability to have an erection), increased mammary growth and reduced testicular volume.

The hormonal disruption caused by anabolic steroids does not only affect male and female fertility. Their effects have an impact on the whole body, causing heart, liver and kidney diseases, among many others. In adolescents, they cause growth retardation, stunting bone development. In women, they cause the development of male sexual characteristics, such as the growth of facial hair, the thickening of the vocal cords and the enlargement of the clitoris. On a psychological level, they can lead to addiction in a similar way to drugs of abuse.

Worth bearing in mind…

Anabolic steroids are often purchased online or in gyms, and are administered by personnel without medical training. Patients are unaware of the composition of the products they are using and the side effects they may cause.

Most patients who develop infertility due to anabolic steroids recover sperm production within 6 months of stopping their use. In other cases, it is necessary to resort to hormonal treatments to reverse the effects at the testicular level. However, not all the side effects they cause are reversible.

If you are using these products, we recommend that you stop using them and consult our healthcare professionalsfor advice and to clear up any doubts you may have.