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HealthyCompetitionTN.org
> Teens > Side Effects Side
Effects
Different PEDs have different side effects on your body from vomiting and diarrhea to irreversible liver and kidney damage to cancers and death. Anabolic Steroids
Because anabolic steroids are a hormone, they produce different side effects in men and women.
Side Effects of Anabolic Steroids
Men |
Women |
- Development of breasts
- Male-pattern baldness
- Severe acne, especially on back
- Oily skin
- Increased body hair
- Shrunken testicles
- Impotence
- Sleep problems
- Muscle cramps and joint pain
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- Increased facial and body hair
- Severe acne, especially on back
- Oily skin
- Lower voice
- Clitoral enlargement
- Reduction in breast tissue
- Menstrual irregularities
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Other side effects of anabolic steroids
- Jaundice (yellowing of the skin)
- Bad breath
- Fluid retention (swelling of feet or ankles)
- Increased risk of ligament and tendon injuries
- Increase in “bad” cholesterol levels
- Increase in blood pressure
- Liver damage
- Cancers
- Stroke and blood clots
- Heart attacks
- Psychiatric effects, including violence, severe mood swings, panic attacks, depression and suicidal thoughts
Stimulants (amphetamines)
Stimulants have a variety of side effects, and if you practice or compete outside in hot weather, using stimulants can lead to dehydration and heat stroke.
Side Effects of Stimulants
- Disrupted coordination
- Aggressive behavior
- Irritability
- Weight loss
- Difficulty sleeping
- Dehydration
- High blood pressure
- Increased heart rate
- Irregular heart beat
- Seizures/convulsions
- Brain hemorrhage
- Heart attack
Sports Supplements
The dangers of sports supplements stem from the fact that little is known about these substances and their side effects on the body.
And because the sports supplement industry is largely unregulated, there’s no way to know what ingredients are in a product, the purity of those ingredients and the amount of each ingredient present. Allergic reactions to some of the ingredients in these products have been reported.
Side Effects of Sports Supplements
- Stomach cramps
- Muscle cramps
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Weight gain
- Water retention
Human Growth Hormone (HGH)
HGH is an external source of a substance naturally produced in very small amounts by the body. Because the body is so sensitive to HGH, artificially increasing the body’s levels of the substance can lead to serious side effects.
Side Effects of HGH
- Disfigurement caused by the excessive growth of bones
- Gigantism – characterized by large hands and feet, a pronounced jaw, separation of the teeth, weak muscles and enlarged heart
- Glucose intolerance or diabetes
- Joint and ligament problems
- Low thyroid activity
- Fluid retention
- Heart disease
Blood Doping
Blood doping, which can thicken the blood, can have serious, even life-threatening side effects.
Side Effects of Blood Doping
- Skin rash
- Flu-like symptoms – achy muscles and nausea
- Heart palpitations
- Dehydration
- High blood pressure
- Clogged arteries and veins
- Blood clots
- Elevated pressure in the brain, which can lead to swelling of the brain and seizures
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Sources:
Performance Enhancing Drugs: Dangerous, damaging and potentially deadly. Mayo Clinic - www.mayoclinic.com.
Healthy Competition - - www.healthycompetition.org
National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign -- www.freevibe.com
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) -- www.fda.gov
American College of Sports Medicine -- www.acsm.org
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