Steroids
A
family of hormones produced by the gonads and adrenal glands, or the drugs
which act like these hormones
Main Groups of
Natural Steroids
Those primarily produced by
gonads
Androgenic (masculinizing)
steroids (like testosterone)
Estrogen & Progesterone
(feminizing)
Those produced by the adrenal
glands
Corticosteroids like cortisol
Released when were stressed;
reduce inflammation to allow us to continue to respond
Drug substitutes like
cortisone, hydrocortisone, prednisone
Anabolic-Androgenic
Steroids
Testosterone and related
substances have 2 major effects on body:
Masculinizing effects
Promote muscular development
Enhance strength and
endurance
(Note: these effects are not
shared by the adrenocortical steroids)
Prescribed Anabolic
Steroid Drugs
Taken
orally:
danazol
(Danacrine)
stanozodol
(Winstrol)
oxandrolone
(Oxandrin)
methyltestosterone
(Android 10, Testred, Virilon)
fluoxymesterone
(Halotestin)
(also
black market versions)
OTC
steroid relatives:
Androstendione-
turned into testosterone in body
DHEA
Injected:
nandrolone
(Durabolin)
testosterone
(DEPO-Testostereone)
(also
black market versions)
Steroids
are Controlled Substances (Schedule III))
Anabolic Steroid
Use
Average age for starting
steroids= 16 yr., but many start earlier
20% of college males, 7% of
male HS seniors report using, not all in athletics
Dosage varies widely but
almost always much higher than therapeutic dose
Some users stack (use
multiple forms)
Can induce dependency
Side Effects in
Males
Testicular shrinkage,
decreased sperm count & decreased natural testosterone
Oily skin and acne
Possible sustained painful
erections (priapism)
Possible breast enlargement
(gynecomastia) because steroids are converted into estrogen
Male pattern baldness but
hairy other places
Hot temper, violence &
mood swings (Roid rage)
Decreased growth hormone
& bone growth
Side Effects in
Women
Lowered voice
Increase facial & body
hair; acne
Enlarged clitoris; decreased
periods
Increased appetite & sex
drive
Male pattern baldness
Increased aggressiveness
Risks
Negative effect on
cholesterol levels (decreases good, increases bad), increasing risk of
hypertension and cardiac and vascular events even in young people
Stresses liver, increasing
risk of jaundice, hepatitus, liver disorders and liver cancer
Violent behavior; can induce
mania or hypomania
Dependence
Other Drugs Which
Affect Feedback to Hypothalamus
Hormonal contraceptives (pills, injections,
implants) estrogen and/or progesterone
tells HYP not to stimulate ovaries to produce or release eggs
Fertility drugs (Clomid or
clomiphene) block
the feedback receptors so HYP continues to stimulate ovaries to produce more
and more eggs
Other
Hormone-Related Drugs
Morning after pill high
dose estrogen for emergency contraception
RU-486 (mifepristone) the
abortion pill during the first trimester. Blocks progesterone receptors
this terminates the pregnancy.