What are the side effects of using synthetic testosterone?

Synthetic steroids, or anabolic steroids, are increasingly popular in the sports and fitness world because users find that the substances allow them to easily build muscle, body mass and strength. However, steroids are a controlled substance, and their use for anything other than supervised medical treatment can lead to serious long-term side effects.

What Are Synthetic Steroids?

Synthetic steroids is another term for anabolic steroids, or the substance typically abused in sports and fitness to accelerate muscle growth. Anabolic steroids mimic the effects of the male hormones testosterone and dihydrotestosterone. These speed up protein synthesis, which eventually leads to faster muscle building.

Abuse of Synthetic Steroids

Steroids are a controlled substance, so any off-label use of the drug is considered abuse. Many synthetic steroid users are young men who pursue bodybuilding and fitness as a serious hobby, and enjoy steroids' cosmetic effects. It is also often used by both amateur and professional athletes in order to gain a competitive edge as it increases strength and power.

Organ Damage

Steroids pose serious dangers to the heart as they can enlarge and thicken the left ventricle. This can lead to congestive heart failure, hypertension, arrhythmia, sudden heart attack and death. Steroids also cause eventual liver damage due to the extra strain on the body when metabolizing them.

Outward Physical Side Effects

Steroids most often cause acne on the face and on the body, and for men who are predisposed to pattern baldness, hair loss can increase. Males can also suffer gynecomastia, or breast-like enlargement of the tissue on the chest, as well as atrophy of the testicles and impotency. Teens can suffer stunted growth and poor bone development. Women can develop male-type characteristics like a deeper voice and increased body hair.

Psychiatric Effects

Many in the fitness world are familiar with the term "'roid rage," which refers to the unexplained, sudden bursts of anger to which many steroid abusers are prone. Synthetic steroids can also lead to depression, and suicides resulting from this have also been reported. Steroids can also prove to be addictive.

Source:

Liver Damage And Increased Heart Attack Risk Caused By Anabolic Steroid Use

Medical Issues Associated With Anabolic Steroid Use: Are They Exaggerated?

Teens & Steroids: A Dangerous Mix

More Information:

Long-term psychiatric and medical consequences of anabolic--androgenic steroid abuse

Title 21 United States Code (USC) Controlled Substances Act