What Are Steroids?
It's important to understand the facts about steroids, their side effects, and what can drive kids and teens to try them. Being aware of the kinds of pressures kids deal with in sports can help you make sure that your child isn't at risk.
Drugs commonly referred to as "steroids" are classified as corticosteroids or anabolic (or anabolic-androgenic) steroids.
Types of Steroids
Corticosteroids
Corticosteroids, such as cortisone, are drugs that doctors prescribe to help control inflammation. They're used to help control conditions like asthma and lupus.
They're not the same as the anabolic steroids.
Anabolic Steroids
Anabolic steroids are synthetic (manmade) hormones that can boost the body's ability to make muscle and prevent muscle breakdown.
Some athletes take steroids in the hopes that they will help them run faster, hit farther, lift heavier weights, jump higher, or have more endurance. In the United States, it is against the law to use anabolic steroids without a prescription.
Androstenedione, or "andro," is a kind of anabolic steroid taken by athletes who want to build muscle. It is a controlled substance because of its suspected health risks and available only by prescription. There is little or no evidence that it has any significant anabolic effects.
Why Do People Use Steroids?
Some professional baseball players, cyclists, and track stars have been accused of — and in some cases have admitted to — using steroids to give them an edge competitively.
Steroid use has trickled down to younger athletes too, who face pressure to be stronger and faster, and to make it to college and professional leagues.
Steroids promise bold results, but there is little proof that they deliver them. But they can harm developing kids — with some of these ill effects not likely to turn up until years later.
How Do Anabolic Steroids Work?
Anabolic steroids are drugs that resemble the chemical structure of the sex hormone testosterone, which is made naturally by the body. Testosterone directs the body to make or enhance male characteristics, such as increased muscle mass, facial hair growth, and deepening of the voice, and is an important part of male development during puberty.
When anabolic steroids increase the levels of testosterone in the blood, they stimulate muscle tissue in the body to grow larger and stronger. But the effects of too much testosterone circulating in the body can be harmful over time.
What Are the Risks of Anabolic Steroids?
Anabolic steroids are dangerous for various reasons:
- • They're illegal. Using anabolic steroids without a prescription is against the law.
- • They can cause health problems, especially when used in large doses over time. The problems may not appear until years after a person took the steroids.
- • Buying them online can be risky because they might be counterfeit and could have added toxic substances in them.
Possible Side Effects and Health Problems
Although they might help build muscle, steroids can have very serious side effects. Using them for a long time can harm the reproductive system.
Effects in Males
- • Impotence
- • Reduced sperm production
- • Smaller testicle size
- • Increased breast growth (gynecomastia)
Effects in Females
- • Problems with menstrual cycles
- • Long-term fertility problems
- • Male-type facial and body hair growth
- • Male-pattern baldness
- • Deepening of the voice
- • Enlargement of the clitoris
Other Serious Health Problems
- • Stunted growth in teens (by making bones mature too fast and stop growing at an early age)
- • Liver tumors
- • Abnormal enlargement of the heart muscles
- • Violent, aggressive behavior and mood swings
- • Blood lipid problems that contribute to heart disease
- • Acne (or a worsening of acne)
- • Irreversible stretch marks
- • Higher risk for hair loss and male-pattern baldness
- • Muscle aches
Special Risks for Young Users
- • Permanent stunted growth — Bones stop growing early
- • Hormonal imbalances during critical development years
- • Long-term fertility problems that may not be reversible
- • Psychological effects including mood swings, aggression, and depression
Legal Risks
Besides the health risks, people who use steroids without a prescription are breaking the law. Drug testing for all athletes is common, and those who fail a drug test for steroids can face legal consequences, including:
- • Jail time
- • Monetary fines
- • Being banned from an event or team
- • Forfeiture of trophies or medals
Andro use is banned by many sports organizations, including the International Olympic Committee, the National Football League, the National Basketball Association, the National Collegiate Athletic Association, the Association of Tennis Professionals, and most high school athletic associations.
What Else Should Parents Know About Steroids?
Many pressures might drive young athletes to try steroids. While most athletes exercise hard, eat properly, and take care of their bodies to reach fitness and performance goals, the pressure to excel and to look physically toned and fit can be intense.
Help Your Kids Handle Pressures
Help your kids handle these pressures by:
- • Discussing healthy competition with them
- • Talking about the coaches' and team members' attitudes toward steroids
- • Knowing what kind of sports environments they compete in
- • Encouraging them to prepare mentally and physically for competition by eating well and getting enough rest
Warning Signs of Steroid Abuse
Watch for these warning signs:
- • Exaggerated mood swings
- • Worsening acne
- • Unusually greasy skin with stretch marks
- • A sudden increase in muscle size
- • Aggressive or violent behavior
- • Needle marks or injection sites
- • Unusual interest in bodybuilding supplements
If you see any of these signs in your child, talk with your doctor. Steroids may give young athletes the sense that they're stronger and more athletic, but the risks are too dangerous.
Use Teachable Moments
When steroid use among pro athletes is in the news, use it as a way to discuss the issue, making sure your kids understand the health risks, the possibility of legal trouble, and the concept that steroid use is a form of cheating.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Are anabolic steroids the same as corticosteroids?
A: No, they're completely different. Corticosteroids (like cortisone) are prescription medications used to treat inflammation and medical conditions like asthma. Anabolic steroids are synthetic hormones used to build muscle and are illegal without a prescription. When people talk about the dangers of "steroids" for athletes, they're referring to anabolic steroids, not corticosteroids.
Q: Can steroids help my child excel in sports?
A: While steroids might temporarily increase muscle mass, the risks far outweigh any potential benefits, especially for developing children and teens. Steroids can cause permanent physical damage, including stunted growth, hormonal problems, and serious health issues. The legal and health consequences make steroid use dangerous and not worth it.
Q: What should I do if I suspect my child is using steroids?
A: Talk with your child's doctor immediately. Don't wait. Steroid use can cause serious and permanent damage. Your doctor can help evaluate the situation, address any health concerns, and provide guidance on how to handle this. It's important to have an open, honest conversation with your child about the dangers.
Q: Are there safe alternatives to steroids for improving athletic performance?
A: Yes! The best way to improve athletic performance is through proper training, nutrition, rest, and hard work. These are safe, legal, and effective. Encourage your child to focus on healthy habits: eating well, getting enough sleep, proper training, and mental preparation. These are the real keys to athletic success and won't cause harmful side effects.
Key Takeaways
Illegal & Dangerous
Anabolic steroids are illegal and cause serious harm
Watch for Signs
Know the warning signs and talk to your doctor
Healthy Alternatives
Proper training and nutrition are the safe way to improve
⚠️ Important Note
This article provides general information and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. If you suspect your child is using or considering using steroids, consult with your child's doctor immediately. Anabolic steroid use can cause serious, permanent health damage and is illegal without a prescription.