There should not be a controversy over anabolic steroid use in athletics. The use of anabolic steroids is illegal and banned by all major sports organizations. Still, some athletes persist in taking them believing that these substances give them a competitive edge. The fact is that these steroids can cause serious physical and psychological side effects.
             Anabolic steroids are synthetic derivatives that increase levels of testosterone, which is the male hormone. As levels of testosterone increase in the body the rate of muscle growth also increases. These steroids allow athletes to gain muscle growth in very short periods of time. Anabolic steroids can be taken in two ways. They can be taken orally in pill form or in liquid form which gets injected into your veins. Both forms of these anabolic steroids are illegal and have negative side effects on the human body.
             The use of anabolic steroids produce a list of serious harmful side effects which vary between men and women. In men, these side effects may include: reduced sperm counts, impotence, development of breasts, shrinking of the testicles, and difficulty or pain while urinating. Studies have shown that men are more likely than women to use anabolic steroids but the number of women using anabolic steroids has increased the past few years. The side effects found in women include: growth of facial hair, deepened voice, breast reduction, and menstrual cycle changes. Even though both sexes are affected differently by anabolic steroids there are some common side effects that both sexes may undergo. With continued use of anabolic steroids users may undergo: acne, bloated appearance, rapid weight gain, clotting disorders, liver damage, elevated cholesterol levels, weakened tendons, growth stunt, severe mood swings, and the most severe of these are premature heart attacks and st!
             rokes. These side effects are known to occur in as early a
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