| Types, General effects, conceptions & | | | | - Stimulating bone marrow function in hypoplastic |
| misconceptions: | | | | anemia i.e. anemia resulting from inadequately |
| Anabolic steroids, also known as anabolic-androgenic | | | | functioning bone marrow |
| steroids or AAS, are a class of steroid hormones | | | | However, they are not "as good" as they appear to |
| related to the hormone testosterone. Earlier, when | | | | be. These steroids are notorious when abused, and |
| testosterone was found to build muscle tissue and to | | | | side effects of anabolic steroids can be serious. Many |
| cause the development of male secondary sex | | | | wanna-be macho men and athletes aiming to improve |
| characteristics, medical researchers tried to use | | | | their strength, stamina, and speed or body size have |
| testosterone to treat diseases that caused the loss | | | | always abused them. Steroids appear to work by |
| of muscle mass. Unfortunately, testosterone in its | | | | decreasing the amount of time necessary for |
| natural form has a half life of only about ten minutes | | | | recovering between bouts of exercise. Because of |
| in the body. So, medicinal chemists began to alter | | | | this, trainees can exercise more often, or more |
| natural testosterone in an attempt to make drugs | | | | intensely, without overwhelming the body's ability to |
| that would work like testosterone but last long | | | | adapt. |
| enough in the body to have an effect and they | | | | Conceptions & Misconceptions about Anabolic |
| came up with today's "kewl" steroids which can | | | | Steroids |
| either be taken orally, injected in veins or applied as | | | | There are also many popular misconceptions |
| skin patches. | | | | concerning their effects and side effects: |
| Anabolic steroids also have androgenic and virilizing | | | | - One popular misconception is that anabolic steroids |
| (giving a masculine appearance or character) | | | | can shrink the male penis. It is possible that this idea |
| properties, including the development and | | | | came from temporary side effect that anabolic |
| maintenance of masculine characteristics such as the | | | | steroids have on testicle size (testicular atrophy). |
| growth of the vocal cords and body hair. | | | | - Other purported side effects include the idea that |
| General effects of Anabolic Steroids: | | | | anabolic steroids have caused many teenagers to |
| Anabolic steroids are widely used for diverse array of | | | | commit suicide. While lower levels of testosterone |
| medicinal purposes, including: | | | | have been known to cause depression but the idea |
| - Stimulating protein anabolism in debilitating illness and | | | | of suicides remain unproven. |
| in acute renal failure. | | | | - Aggression is frequently discussed as a possible side |
| - Promoting growth in children with pituitary dwarfism | | | | effect of anabolic steroids. Testosterone levels are |
| & other growth disorders. | | | | indeed associated with aggression and hypomania, |
| - The retention of nitrogen and calcium may benefit | | | | but the link between other anabolic steroids and |
| patients with Osteoporosis and patients receiving | | | | aggression remains unclear. |
| corticosteroid therapy. | | | | |