Testosterone and the Use of Steroids
Most people generally know what testosterone is, and how it affects the body and contributes to physical and psychological growth. However, the same hormone that causes males (and females) to develop properly can be dangerous if used in the wrong way.
Many young men who feel they do not have enough testosterone will use supplements of the hormone in order to increase muscle mass and speed while playing sports, but this could be very harmful. Here are some facts about testosterone and the overuse of the hormone that could help to save your life or the life of a loved one.
Taking steroids was a somewhat common practice for male athletes in years past, especially when athletes feel they are not strong enough, muscular enough, or fast enough to compete in team sports. Young men will take steroids or testosterone supplements in order to be more muscular, to increase speed while on the field, and to enhance hand/eye coordination when playing a sport.
This is the main reason why steroids start to become a major problem for an athlete; when he sees that his physical performance is improving, he will begin to take more and more dosages of the steroid until it becomes severely hazardous to the body. The overuse of steroids can even lead to death in some cases.
Some of the symptoms of steroid use include increased aggression or short temper, irregular heart beat, increased blood pressure, impaired judgment, and severe mood swings. Men who have been taking steroids for a long time may have extremely violent episodes from time to time, and will not remember the incident fully afterwards.
Many women have been in dangerous situations with men who take steroids; at times, their husband or boyfriend may go into a fit of rage about something small, and when the incident is over, he will return to his 'normal' self. The physical effects of steroid use can be very damaging as well; many of the men who have taken steroids have developed heart conditions, are more prone to heart attacks and hypertension, and could even experience stunted growth if steroid use began during puberty.
If you know someone who is taking steroids, or if you are thinking of trying them yourself, think again. The short-term effects of taking steroids may seem appealing, but steroids can be very addictive, and could change your life forever and not in a way you'd hoped. Talk to your coach, school counselor, parent or other trusted adult about the risks of steroid use, and do your personal best to become a star athlete without becoming addicted to steroids.
