Anabolic steroid - an artificial derivative of the male sex hormone testosterone, used to increase strength and muscle mass.

Chris Mitchell (www.muscularchris.com) - I am a 100% lifetime drug free bodybuilder. From the very start of my bodybuilding career at age seventeen, I decided to learn as much about training, nutrition, and supplementation as I could. Doing this I thought, would allow me to gain strength and size without the help of illegal muscle enhancers. Since February of 1996, my studies have proven correctly. As a junior in high school I weighed a scrawny 120 pounds. In the year 2005, I now weigh 190 pounds.

Since 1996, my physical strength has increased quite dramatically as well. An example is the deadlift. When I began training my deadlift was around 200 pounds. Now some nine years later, I can deadlift 500 pounds without any wrist straps and no weight lifting belt. My point is this: With a combination of consistent hard training, a good nutritious diet, and extremely powerful supplements, (Beverly International) a human being can dramatically increase muscle size and strength. Also, by doing this naturally, (without the use of dangerous muscle enhancing drugs) a person will receive absolutely no negative side effects.

Dr. Nick Evans (www.drnickevans.com) - In the quest for size and strength, many people turn to the dark side of the force, selling their souls to the devil, in exchange for an extra inch on their biceps, or another plate on their bench press. An estimated one in every three men at an average gym chemically enhances his physique with anabolic steroids; the synthetic drug versions of testosterone.

Testosterone, the active ingredient in anabolic steroids does work. It boosts muscle mass and turbo charges your sex drive. The problem is that testosterone, like any other drug, has many negative side effects. Because of their harmful health risks, anabolic steroids are classed as illegal drugs, and banned by many sporting organizations.

Following below is a detailed list of side effects that a person can inherit by using anabolic steroids.

Water Retention:
This is most common from using steroids. It is a “puffiness” or swelling in the neck and facial areas. It can also cause your ankles and fingers to swell. This side effect has also been known to give a person a bloated feeling in the abdomen.

Acne:
This is a very common side effect. Athletes who have never had acne can get it, and it can make it worse for those who already have it. It can also appear in new areas on the body, such as the back and neck.

Gynecomastia:
People don't recognize the name gynecomastia. They recognize it's other well known name, BITCH TITS. It is the formation of breasts, or abnormally large glands. The first signs are lumps under the nipples, then it will gradually grow to fatty tissue and increase in size.

Aggression:
Anabolic steroids do cause aggression, aka roid rage. Certain anabolic steroids can make an athlete more irritable, or aggressive. If one cannot control their aggression, they should not be using anabolic steroids in the first place.

Hypertension:
High blood pressure is also a chance when taking steroids. High blood pressure can lead to many more serious diseases.

Cardiovascular Disease:
Studies have shown that steroid use is a risk factor for heart disease, which is due to the fact that steroids affect cholesterol levels. Over a period of time the cholesterol builds up and clogs the arteries.

Palpitations:
Heart palpitations have been reported by a number of athletes on steroids. These may indicate an excited or elevated level of the central nervous system.

Impotence:
When steroids are first used, sexual interest increases because of the heightened frequency and duration of the erections. But eventually the opposite happens and no erections can be produced.

Jaundice:
A serious liver disease which is found by an enlarged painful liver. This can cause yellowing of the eyes and skin, and flu like symptoms. This happens when athletes use high dosages of steroids.

Irritation of the stomach lining:
Steroids can increase the production of stomach acid and lower the production of protective stomach mucus. This can irritate the lining of the stomach and may cause or aggravate a stomach ulcer.

Menstrual changes:
Women may find that their periods become irregular, or stop altogether.

Behavioral changes:
You may notice mood swings, difficulty in sleeping, and perhaps anxiety or irritability.

Cushings syndrome:
This can cause acne, puffiness of the face, dark marks on the skin, and facial hair in women.

Muscle wasting:
Wasting of leg muscles may occur. This can cause weakness. When the steroids are stopped some people experience muscle cramps for a short time.

Osteoporosis:
Calcium may be lost from the bones. This can result in pain, especially in the lower back. An increase of fractures and a loss in height is also possible.

Eye changes:
With long term use of steroids, cataracts or glaucoma may develop. There is also an increased risk of eye infections.

Testicle shrinkage:
When you use steroids your body senses a testosterone overload, thereby causing your testicles to stop making testosterone.The testicles function on the use it or lose principle. When they're out of work, they shrink. So when you go to the mall to buy bigger size shirts and pants for your bigger muscles, you'll unfortunately have to buy a multipack of extra small underwear for your tiny balls.

Gastrointestinal symptoms:
Some steroid users suffer from epigastric fullness, diarrhea, nausea, or even vomiting.

Baldness:
The receptors of the scalp have a high affinity to dehydrotestosterone, a by product that can cause male-pattern baldness.

Growth deficit:
The use of steroids can stunt the growth of children and adolescents. Premature closure of the epiphysical cartilage leads to a growth stunt and ultimately results in a decrease in the normal predicted height.Young people who are thinking about taking steroids should reconsider for this very reason.

High blood pressure:
One of the causes of this is probably from the increased cardiovascular strain brought on by the high water and salt retention.

Kidney damage:
High blood pressure as well as variations in the water and electrolyte balance of the body can lead to long term changes in the kidneys functions. A Wilms Tumor has been noticed in certain cases of people using steroids. During steroid use, some people may develop dark colored urine, and in extreme cases blood in the urine.

Other possible side effects that may occur during the use of anabolic/androgenic steroids are a prolonged bleeding time, headaches, nausea, feeling poorly, enlarged prostate, sterility, increased risk of injuring muscles, joints and connective tissue, anaphylactic shock, and abscesses caused by injections.

There you have it people. I did the research for you and found all of these possible side effects from anabolic steroid usage. Knowing all of this, why would a person choose to use steroids? I personally don't know. I guess just stupidity and laziness. If you still think that building real muscle isn't possible without the use of steroids, I highly recommend you check out our "Beverly page". That page is filled with men and women from all walks of life who have built championship physiques without ever using steroids of any kind. Look up to them if you need a positive, healthy role model. Like I said, with a combination of consistent hard training, a good nutritious diet, and extremely powerful supplements, (Beverly International) anyone can build an impressive physique. Train hard, have faith, and never give up on your dreams.

-Chris Mitchell