Teenagers and Steroids: A Dangerous Combination

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Abuse of anabolic steroids can cause temporary and permanent injury to anyone. Especially the still growing bodies of high-risk teenagers, but many young people are still trying steroids today in the hope of improving athletic performance or appearance.

1. Q: What are anabolic steroids and how many teenagers are using them?

A: Food and Drug Administration (FDA) health workers have warned teenagers and parents about the dangers of steroid abuse. These are drugs that mimic the action of the male sex hormone testosterone, including promoting the growth of cells, especially in muscle, and maintaining or increasing physical male characteristics. Various studies have been done and it is estimated that 4.9% of boys and 2.4% of high school girls in the United States have used anabolic steroids at least once in their lives. This is equivalent to 375,000 young men and 175,000 young girls.

2. Q: What are the side effects of taking anabolic steroids?

A: This drug is known to have serious side effects on many organ systems. In many cases, the damage is irreversible. The risks include:
Fertility problems Impotence High blood pressure and cholesterol Heart and liver abnormalities. Young men may experience shrinkage of the testicles or breast tissue growth; Women may experience irregular periods and develop masculine features such as facial and body hair growth. Both sexes can experience acne, mood and behavior changes (more aggressive)... All of these affect not only the lives of steroid users themselves, but also indirect effects. on everyone around.

3. Q: Do steroids require a prescription?

A: Yes. In fact, anabolic steroids are classified by the US Drug Enforcement Administration as a Schedule III controlled substance with strict regulations. That is, not only is a prescription required to use the drug, but additional control measures are required. For example, it is illegal to possess steroids without a prescription in the United States. In most cases, prescriptions must be clearly written and cannot be ordered by a pharmacist instead of a doctor. The packaging label on some steroid boxes recommends checking hormone levels during use.
The number of FDA-approved uses is limited. Most medications are prescribed for very specific conditions, such as:
Sub-normal steroids Muscle weakness Wounds that don't heal Lung or bone marrow disorders. In addition, if necessary, health care professionals may prescribe steroids that are not for FDA-approved conditions (outside of directions for use/off-label). However, children, especially adolescents, are arbitrarily accessing and abusing steroids for reasons beyond their primary purpose.

4. Q: So how can teenagers access steroids?

A: Some young people receive prescriptions from their doctors for purposes such as promoting puberty in boys who have delayed puberty, or to stimulate growth in adolescents who have failed to develop. Others may find themselves in "underground" clinics or floating sellers on the black market. There are online anabolic steroid suppliers on the Internet without a prescription. Individuals should also be aware that some dietary supplements advertised for body building may include steroids or steroid analogues, but do not state this information on the ingredient label. .

5. Q: What is FDA doing to prevent this?

A: The FDA is taking several steps to prevent this, including banning illegal online distributors from selling steroids without a valid prescription. But the problem is that when you take down one site, another similar page pops up right away.
The challenge is compounded by the fact that many online vendors do not accurately advertise the content of the products they sell. Operating outside of the United States makes it even easier to sell over-the-counter medications and advise patients to weigh the risks and benefits. In such cases, individuals may not know what medication they are taking, what the appropriate dosage is, or how much control and safety criteria have been incorporated into the manufacturing process? These realities make it risky to use anabolic steroids without a prescription.

6. Q: Advice for teenagers who have, are and want to use steroids?

A: Experts emphasize steroids pose a serious risk to young people's health both in the short and long term. Instead of giving you as many benefits as advertised, steroids will have adverse consequences that can affect you for life. It should be remembered that there are several safe ways to increase muscle mass and athletic performance, including proper diet and exercise regimen, without resorting to harsh and dangerous therapies.
MORE: The problem of substance abuse other than heroin

7. Q: Advice for parents?

A: Parents often tend not to believe that their young child has been, is, or wants to use anabolic steroids. But the truth is that the frequency of steroid use in this age group is much greater than many people think.
During the time children go to school and return to physical activity, parents should look out for signs of steroid abuse. Mood swings are one of the first side effects to appear. Steroid use can also lead to mania or depression. Acne is also an initial and possibly subsequent side effect of breast growth in boys or increased body hair in girls. Parents also need to ask questions when they see a surprising increase in muscle mass.
But before affirming that their child abuses drugs or steroids, parents need to learn carefully and have a skillful approach, because teenagers are very sensitive subjects psychologically.
Hope the above questions and answers have answered the questions as well as pointed out the danger when teenagers abuse anabolic steroids.

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References: fda.gov