What are the risks associated with anabolic steroids?
Anabolic steroids promote the growth of many tissues in the body by stimulating the release of the hormone testosterone. By disturbing the body’s equilibrium, anabolic steroids can potentially cause damage to many of the body’s major organs, particularly the liver, which has to deal with breaking down the compound. There is also a significant risk of damage to the heart, which is made of muscle tissue. Anabolic steroids can lead to an expansion of the cardiac muscle, which can cause heart attacks. The drugs also promote the growth of bones, particularly facial bones such as the jaw and the teeth. There is also an increased risk of cancer. Other side effects include: • the development of inappropriate sexual characteristics such as breasts in men, and facial hair in women • a deepening of the voice • baldness • male impotence If used by women, it can lead to the development of male characteristics, like the growth of facial hair to say the least. Pregnant women or those trying to become
