Some guys on my team use steroids: Are they really that dangerous?

You may have heard steroids called by names like "hype," "roids," "juice," or "pump." Anabolic-androgenic steroids are very powerful drugs that are prescribed by doctors, but that some athletes use for nonmedical reasons as a way to increase their athletic performance and increase muscle mass and body build. They act like the natural male hormone, testosterone.

Know the risks

Steroid use always comes with very bad side effects. They can really mess up your body. Megadoses don't give faster results, and it's not safer to use them in cycles either. "Stacking" is really dangerous. Although some of the side effects go away when you stop using them, others may remain.

Remember! These types of steroids act like the male hormone testosterone. For both girls and boys, steroids can cause:

• Really bad acne, especially on the face and back
• Hair loss
• Slow growth in athletes who are still growing
• High blood pressure, harmful changes in cholesterol, and heart disease
• Blood clots and strokes
• Liver damage, jaundice (yellowing of the skin), or liver cancer
• Headaches, joint pain, and muscle cramps
• Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
• Sleep problems
• Increased risk of ligament and tendon injuries that can permanently end your athletic career.

In addition, anyone who injects steroids and who shares needles with others is at great risk for very serious infections such as hepatitis or AIDS. Using one illegal drug increases the chance of using other drugs and causing even more complicated health problems.

In boys, steroid use can cause less testosterone in the body. What's the result? The testicles shrink. And you know what else can happen?

• Decreased sperm count
• Impotence (no erection)
• Breast and nipple growth
• Prostate growth (a gland near the penis)
• Steroids are also very bad for girls' bodies, causing
• Breast size decrease
• More hair on the face and the rest of the body
• A more manly tone of voice
• Period problems
• Clitoral growth
• Steroids also mess with your mind and can cause
• "Steroid rage" - severe, aggressive behavior that can result in violence, fighting, or destruction of other people's property
• Severe mood swings
• Hallucinations - seeing and hearing things that aren't really there
• Paranoia - extreme feelings of mistrust and fear
• Anxiety and panic attacks
• Depression and suicidal thoughts

Better safe than sorry!

Steroid use is dangerous, which is why it has been banned by many professional and amateur sports organizations. These organizations include the International Olympic Committee, the National Collegiate Athletic Association, and the National Football League. If you are serious about your sport and your health, you don't need drugs to prove it to yourself. Instead, stay healthy by

• Training safely, without drugs
• Eating healthy foods
• Getting enough rest
• Setting realistic goals (and being proud of yourself when you reach them!)
• Training, getting coaching, and advice from trusted professionals
• Playing it safe and wearing protective gear
• Talking to your pediatrician about your health and nutrition, and how to prevent injuries and gain strength wisely

Share this information with friends and your team. Stand firm against the use of anabolic steroids and other drugs. Truly successful athletes combine their natural abilities with hard work to achieve their best. There is no quicker or easier way.