Gynecomastia and Other Harmful Effects of Using Steroids

Talk of steroids has been in the news quite a bit lately, what with Barry Bonds dominating the sporting world with suspicion of his steroid usage and the recent discovery of pitcher Jason Grimsley having access to substances banned by Major League Baseball. It is hard to fathom why these players would tempt fate and the wrath of the league, but the temptation of performing better must far outweigh the consequences. Whether or not these players know the harmful effects of steroids are unknown, but there are many that affect both men and women.

People use steroids to gain muscle mass and become bigger. Coupled with the increased muscle mass is a rise in bone growth, and an increase in one’s appetite. There are many reasons as to why someone would choose to use steroids, but it would appear that anyone that uses steroids has learned of its harmful effects at some point in his/her life. Nonetheless, the apparent results allow users to take the chance, when the odds are not in their favor. Listed below are the harmful effects of steroid use in both men and women. 

Men experience harmful effects that, essentially, strip them of their masculinity. The increase of estrogen allows the men who use steroids to obtain more female features. 

• Men can receive abnormal breast growth, called Gynecomastia.
• Men’s testicles can shrink in size and also cease to function. This is called testicular atrophy.
• Prostate cancer is another potential side effect of steroid use. 

Women, just like men, receive side effects that have resulted in an increase of testosterone. 

• There is an increase in body hair…and that includes the face as well. 
• The voice deepens, which is something not particularly attractive to males.
• Enlarged clitoris (clitoral hypertrophy)
• Temporary decrease in menstrual cycles – something most women would enjoy, but not at the expense of the other effects.