Effects From Steroids

The adrenal glands are part of the endocrine system in the body produce steroids. Positioned above the kidneys, only two inches in length, they produce approximately 30 different steroid hormones.Not only do humans produce steroids, but other animals and plants do as well. For example, digitalis, a steroid, is obtained from the plant foxglove.

Types of Steroids

• A wide variety of steroids exist. The vast majority are legal and prescribed by a physician for a wide range of medical problems.

  There are five major categories of steroids.
  The first three:
  1) the mineralocortocoids balance the sodium and potassium levels in the body,
  2) the bile salts help with digestion and absorption of fats and
  3) the sterols help make vitamin D from sunlight and build cell walls. A common sterol is cholesterol.

  The remaining two categories are more controversial because physicians or individuals are supplementing the natural production of them. These include:
  4) the corticosteroids which work with the immune system and inflammation and
  5) the sex hormones.

Corticosteroids

• Corticosteroids are used by physicians to treat a wide variety of illnesses such as asthma, arthritis, lupus, allergies and Addison's disease. Corticosteroids are also beneficial with organ transplant in assisting the body from rejecting the new organ. They can be taken by mouth, by inhaler, applied on the skin or by injection. The worst side affects occur when taken orally. These may include: glaucoma, fluid retention, increased blood pressure, mood swings and weight gain. Long-term effects can cause cataracts, high blood sugar and can increase your risk of infections. They also can be responsible for loss of calcium from bones, menstrual problems and thin skin resulting in slow wound healing. Switching to non-oral methods of delivery can assist in reducing side effects.

Female sex hormones

• Sex hormones for women, such as estrogen and progesterone, control the reproductive and menstrual cycle in women. Physicians prescribe them under a wide variety of names to prevent contraception. It is sometimes prescribed for menstrual problems and occasionally for acne. Side effects of oral contraception are numerous. The most serious side effects of these are that they can increase the likelihood of liver tumors, both cancerous and benign, and breast cancer. They also increase the risk of a heart attack, stroke or blood clot.

  Estrogen and progesterone are also prescribed as Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) for women in menopause. The benefits is relief from hot flashes, night sweats, sleep problems and vaginal dryness. But here again the side effects are numerous. The most severe ones include: blood clots, breast cancer, endometrial/uterine cancer, heart disease, stroke and gallbladder disease.

Male Sex Hormones

• Male sex hormones, such as testosterone, are part of the androgen class of steroids. Another member of the androgen class of steroids is the anabolic steroids. Some men take testosterone as a way to reduce the effects of aging. The National Institutes of Health has warned against taking this for aging as enough research has not been done on the benefits and risks.

  The most infamous of the androgen steroids are anabolic steroids. These are used in bodybuilding and in sports. The reason it is so popular is increases muscle mass, strength, muscle definition, effectiveness of training and recovery rate. However the side effects are many. Some of the worse include increased risk of cardiovascular disease, liver disease and cancer, and kidney disease and cancer. In addition, it includes increased risk of psychosis and aggressive acts.

Laws

• On Feb 27, 1991, Congress enacted legislation placing anabolic steroids in Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act, making possession and sale of anabolic steroid without a prescription a crime. The penalty for first-time possession is a maximum of a year in prison and the minimum of $1,000 fine. The penalty for sale is a maximum of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Organizations banning the use of steroids

• Several organizations have banned the use of steroids by athletes. They have done this primarily for two reasons: the dangerous side effects of steroids and the athlete has an unfair advantage. Organizations banning the use of steroids include: International Olympic Committee (IOC), National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), National Basketball Association (NBA), National Football League. In addition, the IOC, NFL and NCAA have banned the use of steroid precursors, such as androstenedione.