Hi Def Herm

I have personally worked with young athletes and some have questioned and tried to rationalize why they needed to take steroids. I just want to briefly visit some issues and pointers on FACTS regarding steroid use in teens. First off, steroids are a performance enhancing drugs (PED), which are artificially produced hormones that are similar to androgens. There are hundreds of forms of steroids with the most popular being the androgen, testosterone. Testosterone is usually recognized as being a predominant male hormone; females do produce a small amount of this as well too. Testosterone promotes the masculine traits that guys experience during puberty, such as deepening of the voice and growth of bodily hair. Testosterone levels can also have drastic effects on how aggressive a person is and increase the aggressive nature of them. Anabolic steroids are usually the choice of athletes due to their testosterone like effects. Sometimes, steroidal supplements, are used that contain dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and/ or androstenedione (know as andro). Steroidal supplements, for the most part, were found in health food stores and gyms, now cannot be found their due to their illegal nature and need to be prescribed. DHEA, has been able to break the wave, and still be able to be purchased over the counter. Steroidal supplements, weaker forms of androgen, if taken in large doses can cause similar effects to androgen like testosterone. Fact is steroidal supplements, the companies that manufacturer and distributes them, use false claims and show no proof of long term effects on the body. One of the most profound reasons the government have been so adamant on banning these supplements. On the contrary what anabolic steroids actually do is stimulate muscle tissue to grow and “bulk up” in relation to training by replicating the effect of naturally produced testosterone in the body. Anabolic steroids can have a lasting effect and traces can be found anywhere from a few days to a year later. Steroids have a good and bad connotation that has become popular due to its effects that it may improve endurance, strength, and muscle mass. Although it has not been proven to improve skill, agility, or athletic performance.

All most young athletes see are the immediate “effective” steroids and steroidal supplements may have, but never take inconsideration long term effects. Just to touch on a few points anabolic steroids have some drastic side effects that could occur. From as simple as premature balding, dizziness, mood swings (including anger, aggression, and depression), being delusional, paranoia, and aching joints. Two of the most prolific side effects are high blood pressure that can damage the heart or blood vessels over time, and increased risk of developing heart disease, stroke, and some forms of cancer. To get gender specific, females are higher risk after anabolic steroid use includes increased facial hair, loss of feminine body characteristics and enhancing male characteristics, enlargement of the clitoris, and drastic changes in their menstrual cycle changes. Males risks includes testicular shrinkage, pain when urinating, breast development, and impotence and sterility.

The last most common commonly used steroidal supplement is called Human Growth Hormone or HGH. HGH is only legal when prescribed by a physician for a medical condition. Usually, physicians prescribe HGH for peoples whose buddies don’t produce enough growth hormone. HGH is supposed to have the same “alpha male” like effects that steroids do but have a higher market and street price due to the “effectiveness”. Some of the most known risks of using HGH is not actually getting “real” HGH, being scanned into spending thousands of dollars, lastly HGH is an inject able only and risks of HIV through use of needles while taking HGH. To put things in perspective for all young athletes, the risk versus the promise of using steroids, steroidal supplements, and HGH at weighs it heavy. There is no substitute to hard work, dedication, and understanding your body. The only way to improve your performance is dedication towards your craft and sport, proper nutrition through general supplementation and your diet, and cardiovascular, flexibility, and resistance training and progression.