What are anabolic steroids, and how are they used?<\/span><\/h2>\nA \u201csteroid\u201d is a type of compound with a specific chemical structure, including many hormones, alkaloids, and vitamins. \u201cAnabolic\u201d refers to the process of building up (muscle or bone), also known as biosynthesis.<\/span><\/p>\nAnabolic steroids are natural or synthetic versions of testosterone. Anabolic steroids may be prescribed to address hormone deficiencies or help certain kinds of patients gain weight or muscle mass, such as those with cancer or AIDS. But because testosterone increases muscle mass, anabolic steroids may be misused by athletes and bodybuilders to help build muscle, lower body fat percentage, or gain strength and endurance in an attempt to quickly increase athletic performance.<\/span><\/p>\nIn these <\/span>cases of misuse<\/span><\/a>, individuals are often aware of the dangers, and experiment with “cycling,” “stacking,” or “pyramiding” administration methods to try to bypass side-effects. However, there is <\/span>no<\/b> scientific evidence that proves any of these methods help reduce the probable short-term and long-term negative side effects\u2014including the detrimental impact on sperm quality<\/a> parameters and overall fertility.<\/span><\/p>\nHow anabolic steroids affect fertility<\/span><\/h2>\nFrom sperm quality parameters to testicular function, the misuse of anabolic steroids can have lasting effects on male fertility. Here’s what you need to know:<\/span><\/p>\n![\"Steroids](\"https:\/\/givelegacy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/56-male-hormones-500x333.jpg\")
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Sperm production<\/span><\/h3>\nCertain hormones help regulate the male reproductive system. Testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormone (LH), are three key <\/span>hormones that drive male fertility<\/span><\/a>. A <\/span>study<\/span><\/a> that observed anabolic steroid use determined that intake of synthetic testosterone, like anabolic steroids, inhibits the secretion of both FSH and LH, which are fundamental to producing sperm<\/a>. With these hormones inhibited, the body is unable to properly produce sperm. As a result, men taking anabolic steroids saw quality parameters, such as sperm count and concentration, plummet.<\/span><\/p>\nIn most cases, these negative effects on sperm production were temporary, and could be reversed if the individual stopped taking anabolic steroids. Sperm quality parameters could be expected to normalize after 4 to 12 months of ending steroid use. However, in some cases, patients experienced up to 5 years of azoospermia, a medical condition where a male is unable to produce any sperm.<\/span><\/p>\nMultiple studies conclude that the use of anabolic steroids significantly decreased quality sperm parameters. One <\/span>study<\/span><\/a> compared 41 bodybuilders using anabolic steroids with 41 volunteers who did not use steroids or other drugs. Over half of the bodybuilders showed dramatically low sperm quality values, compared to just 12% of the male volunteers.<\/span><\/p>\nIn a similar <\/span>study<\/span><\/a> of steroid-using bodybuilders, researchers found that only 17.7% of men with a history of using steroids had any morphologically normal sperm. And another <\/span>study<\/span><\/a> that followed 20 male bodybuilders using anabolic steroids over a 2-year period found that decreased fertility was one of the most significant long-term adverse effects.<\/span><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/givelegacy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/sperm-improvement-steroids-500x333.jpg\")
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Learn more about steroids and sterility<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\nTesticular function<\/span><\/h3>\nAnother long-term effect of chronic anabolic steroid misuse may be decreased testosterone production.<\/span><\/p>\nIn a <\/span>study<\/span><\/a> that evaluated groups of three men\u2014men who never used anabolic steroids, former anabolic steroid abusers, and current anabolic steroid misusers\u2014it was found that anabolic steroid use has long-term effects on a male’s ability to produce testosterone. Of the three groups, current users of anabolic steroids had the lowest testosterone levels, and former users’ testosterone levels were notably lower than the group of men who never took anabolic steroids.<\/span><\/p>\nThese <\/span>findings<\/span><\/a> suggest that the Leydig cells in the testes, which are responsible for producing testosterone, may become permanently impaired with steroid misuse. This shutdown of the function of the testes is known as \u201csteroid-induced hypogonadism.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\nOther side effects of anabolic steroids<\/span><\/h2>\nAlong with fertility, there are also other <\/span>major areas<\/span><\/a> users of anabolic steroids may experience. While many of these side effects may be reversed after cessation of steroid use, there are some instances where permanent damage may be done.<\/span><\/p>\nCardiovascular system<\/span><\/h3>\nResearch<\/span><\/a> shows that anabolic steroids can increase low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels and decrease high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels, which contribute to:<\/span><\/p>\n\n- High blood pressure<\/span><\/li>\n
- Blood clots<\/span><\/li>\n
- Heart attacks<\/span><\/li>\n
- Stroke<\/span><\/li>\n
- Artery damage<\/span>
\n<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\nHormone (endocrine) system<\/span><\/h3>\nAnabolic steroid use disrupts normal hormone production in the body. While hormones play a big role in fertility and sperm production, there are other hormones that regulate vital areas and functions of the body. Hormonal imbalances brought on by anabolic steroid misuse can <\/span>cause<\/span><\/a>:<\/span><\/p>\n\n- Enlarged breast tissue<\/span><\/li>\n
- Shrinking of the testicles<\/span><\/li>\n
- Male-pattern baldness<\/span><\/li>\n
- Testicular cancer<\/span><\/li>\n
- Severe acne and cysts<\/span><\/li>\n
- Oily scalp and skin<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Musculoskeletal system<\/span><\/h3>\nUse of anabolic steroids sends signals to the body. In <\/span>adolescents<\/span><\/a>, the surge of synthetic testosterone can signal the body to stop growing and stunt growth. For adults, <\/span>studies <\/span><\/a>show that individuals who use anabolic steroids tend to have stiffer tendons, which is linked to an increased risk of tendon injury. <\/span><\/p>\n\n- Short stature (if taken by adolescents)<\/span><\/li>\n
- Tendon injury<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Psychiatric effects<\/span><\/h3>\n\n- Aggression<\/span><\/li>\n
- Mania<\/span><\/li>\n
- Delusions<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
You’re probably familiar with the term “roid rage.” Abusers of anabolic steroids can experience short-term, and in some cases, long-term psychiatric effects. In a <\/span>study<\/span><\/a> on adolescent steroid users, it was found that anabolic steroid users reported more anger, fights, and verbal aggression than non-users. Another <\/span>study<\/span><\/a> that focused on the long-term effects of adult men found that anabolic steroid abuse is associated with dependence syndromes, mood syndromes, and progression to other forms of substance abuse.<\/span><\/p>\nOther side effects<\/span><\/h3>\nAnabolic steroid use may also cause:<\/span><\/p>\n\n- Abscess or infection at injection site<\/span><\/li>\n
- Liver damage\/jaundice<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Do all steroids have the same impact on male fertility?<\/span><\/h2>\nWhen people talk about steroid misuse, they are usually referring to the anabolic steroids that we’ve discussed here\u2014the steroids that are made from or lookalikes for testosterone.<\/span><\/p>\nThese are not to be confused with <\/span>corticosteroids<\/b>, which are prescription medications commonly used to help reduce inflammation and suppress the immune system. (Again, \u201csteroid\u201d just refers to a compound with a specific chemical structure.) <\/span>Corticosteroids<\/span><\/a> are used to treat a variety of conditions, like asthma, arthritis, eczema, lupus, and multiple sclerosis, as well as short-term infections that cause inflammation.<\/span><\/p>\n
Anabolic steroids are natural or synthetic versions of testosterone. Anabolic steroids may be prescribed to address hormone deficiencies or help certain kinds of patients gain weight or muscle mass, such as those with cancer or AIDS. But because testosterone increases muscle mass, anabolic steroids may be misused by athletes and bodybuilders to help build muscle, lower body fat percentage, or gain strength and endurance in an attempt to quickly increase athletic performance.<\/span><\/p>\n In these <\/span>cases of misuse<\/span><\/a>, individuals are often aware of the dangers, and experiment with “cycling,” “stacking,” or “pyramiding” administration methods to try to bypass side-effects. However, there is <\/span>no<\/b> scientific evidence that proves any of these methods help reduce the probable short-term and long-term negative side effects\u2014including the detrimental impact on sperm quality<\/a> parameters and overall fertility.<\/span><\/p>\n From sperm quality parameters to testicular function, the misuse of anabolic steroids can have lasting effects on male fertility. Here’s what you need to know:<\/span><\/p>\n Certain hormones help regulate the male reproductive system. Testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormone (LH), are three key <\/span>hormones that drive male fertility<\/span><\/a>. A <\/span>study<\/span><\/a> that observed anabolic steroid use determined that intake of synthetic testosterone, like anabolic steroids, inhibits the secretion of both FSH and LH, which are fundamental to producing sperm<\/a>. With these hormones inhibited, the body is unable to properly produce sperm. As a result, men taking anabolic steroids saw quality parameters, such as sperm count and concentration, plummet.<\/span><\/p>\n In most cases, these negative effects on sperm production were temporary, and could be reversed if the individual stopped taking anabolic steroids. Sperm quality parameters could be expected to normalize after 4 to 12 months of ending steroid use. However, in some cases, patients experienced up to 5 years of azoospermia, a medical condition where a male is unable to produce any sperm.<\/span><\/p>\n Multiple studies conclude that the use of anabolic steroids significantly decreased quality sperm parameters. One <\/span>study<\/span><\/a> compared 41 bodybuilders using anabolic steroids with 41 volunteers who did not use steroids or other drugs. Over half of the bodybuilders showed dramatically low sperm quality values, compared to just 12% of the male volunteers.<\/span><\/p>\n In a similar <\/span>study<\/span><\/a> of steroid-using bodybuilders, researchers found that only 17.7% of men with a history of using steroids had any morphologically normal sperm. And another <\/span>study<\/span><\/a> that followed 20 male bodybuilders using anabolic steroids over a 2-year period found that decreased fertility was one of the most significant long-term adverse effects.<\/span><\/p>\n Learn more about steroids and sterility<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n Another long-term effect of chronic anabolic steroid misuse may be decreased testosterone production.<\/span><\/p>\n In a <\/span>study<\/span><\/a> that evaluated groups of three men\u2014men who never used anabolic steroids, former anabolic steroid abusers, and current anabolic steroid misusers\u2014it was found that anabolic steroid use has long-term effects on a male’s ability to produce testosterone. Of the three groups, current users of anabolic steroids had the lowest testosterone levels, and former users’ testosterone levels were notably lower than the group of men who never took anabolic steroids.<\/span><\/p>\n These <\/span>findings<\/span><\/a> suggest that the Leydig cells in the testes, which are responsible for producing testosterone, may become permanently impaired with steroid misuse. This shutdown of the function of the testes is known as \u201csteroid-induced hypogonadism.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Along with fertility, there are also other <\/span>major areas<\/span><\/a> users of anabolic steroids may experience. While many of these side effects may be reversed after cessation of steroid use, there are some instances where permanent damage may be done.<\/span><\/p>\n Research<\/span><\/a> shows that anabolic steroids can increase low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels and decrease high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels, which contribute to:<\/span><\/p>\n Anabolic steroid use disrupts normal hormone production in the body. While hormones play a big role in fertility and sperm production, there are other hormones that regulate vital areas and functions of the body. Hormonal imbalances brought on by anabolic steroid misuse can <\/span>cause<\/span><\/a>:<\/span><\/p>\n Use of anabolic steroids sends signals to the body. In <\/span>adolescents<\/span><\/a>, the surge of synthetic testosterone can signal the body to stop growing and stunt growth. For adults, <\/span>studies <\/span><\/a>show that individuals who use anabolic steroids tend to have stiffer tendons, which is linked to an increased risk of tendon injury. <\/span><\/p>\n You’re probably familiar with the term “roid rage.” Abusers of anabolic steroids can experience short-term, and in some cases, long-term psychiatric effects. In a <\/span>study<\/span><\/a> on adolescent steroid users, it was found that anabolic steroid users reported more anger, fights, and verbal aggression than non-users. Another <\/span>study<\/span><\/a> that focused on the long-term effects of adult men found that anabolic steroid abuse is associated with dependence syndromes, mood syndromes, and progression to other forms of substance abuse.<\/span><\/p>\n Anabolic steroid use may also cause:<\/span><\/p>\n When people talk about steroid misuse, they are usually referring to the anabolic steroids that we’ve discussed here\u2014the steroids that are made from or lookalikes for testosterone.<\/span><\/p>\n These are not to be confused with <\/span>corticosteroids<\/b>, which are prescription medications commonly used to help reduce inflammation and suppress the immune system. (Again, \u201csteroid\u201d just refers to a compound with a specific chemical structure.) <\/span>Corticosteroids<\/span><\/a> are used to treat a variety of conditions, like asthma, arthritis, eczema, lupus, and multiple sclerosis, as well as short-term infections that cause inflammation.<\/span><\/p>\nHow anabolic steroids affect fertility<\/span><\/h2>\n
<\/p>\nSperm production<\/span><\/h3>\n
<\/p>\nTesticular function<\/span><\/h3>\n
Other side effects of anabolic steroids<\/span><\/h2>\n
Cardiovascular system<\/span><\/h3>\n
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\n<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\nHormone (endocrine) system<\/span><\/h3>\n
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Musculoskeletal system<\/span><\/h3>\n
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Psychiatric effects<\/span><\/h3>\n
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Other side effects<\/span><\/h3>\n
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Do all steroids have the same impact on male fertility?<\/span><\/h2>\n