Steroid Use Growing in Youth

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In a country where instant gratification defines our culture, steroid use has flourished in the last half century. This increase is partly due to the fact that these substances have become more available over time. Yet the most common reason behind usage emerges from survey after survey. In a national survey of high schoolers, the largest response in being asked why they were taking steroids, students responded that 1) it improved their athletic performance and ) it improved their appearance. (Merck Manual) Culture is yet again to blame for another downfall to our society. Our image-oriented culture has no bounds; it is now attacking high schools at a more accelerated pace than ever. With all of the negative media surrounding steroid use, it seems as though our well educated youth may avoid such abuse; that maybe the rising percentages of users may slow. This is not the case.

Studies show that the percentage of users has steadily increased since the "first ergogenic use of anabolic-androgenic steroids was reported to have occurred in the 150s…" (Wright 178). The use of different chemical aids to improve performance is not a new issue in the plight of human history. "Ancient Greeks ate sesame seeds, bufotenin was used by the legendary berserkers in Norwegian mythology, and the Andean Indians and the Australian Aborigines chewed, respectively, coca leaves and the puturi plant for simulating and anti-fatiguing effects (Csaky 17; Williams 174).

As for anabolic steroids, they are a group of muscle building chemicals, which are synthetic versions of the male hormone, testosterone. They cause androgenic (masculinizing) and anabolic (tissue building) effects on the human body.

Developed in 15 they were prescribed to aid in muscle and tissue repair by those who had undergone surgery or had degenerative diseases. Now anabolic steroids are used by athletes and patients alike. They are illegal to use if not prescribed by a physician, and have been banned by nearly all athletic organizations, both professional and amateur. Positive results in strength and muscle mass at a faster pace draw people of all ages to using this substance, despite the health risks. With these "instant" results, anabolic steroid use has not only crept into our professional athletic teams undetected, but now this fad of "juicing" is attacking high school students around the country.

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In one study, it was shown that steroid use has skyrocketed in high schools. "6 to 11% among high-school-aged males, including an unexpected number if non-athletes and about .5% among high-school aged females" (The Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy, Sec Chpt. 05). Of the most common users, 5% were male, and 65% were athletes. Football was the most prominent sport to be found using anabolic steroids.

Athletes may take steroids for an allotted amount of time, stop using them, and then start again at a designated time. This is called cycling. The alternating on and off periods are believed to decrease the harmful effects of steroid use. Some of these negative effects are high endogenous testosterone levels, an increased sperm count, and an imbalance of the hypothalamic-pitutary-gondal axis. With this "cycling," studies have shown that the time off allows these dangerously high levels to return to their natural state, supposedly decreasing the risks.

Despite the negative effects in the abusers of anabolic steroids, a medicinal use for the substance has been established. "Because they are anticatabolic and improve protein utilization, they are given to burn, bedridden, or other debilitated patients to prevent muscle wasting" (Merck Manual).

Anabolic steroids in moderation are rather controversial. Short-term effects have been studied and it seems if not overused, (more than 00 mg per week) the use of the steroid Methyltestosterone does not produce adverse effects. The most common and positive signals of this study was an increase in muscle mass and also, less identifiably, increased energy levels and libido. The study of long-term effects on of "proper" levels of Methyltestosterone have not taken place yet, neither have studies on the long-term effects of the overuse of steroids in athletes. This overuse mostly takes place in bodybuilders. When not overused or "properly" administered, there is question of whether or not steroids cause damaging effects to the body at all.

When overused it is evident that steroids can cause psychological effects include erratic mood swings, irrational behavior, increased aggressiveness, irritability, depression, and dependency.

Serious symptoms of overuse can include increased acne, jaundice, liver dysfunctions or tumors (benign or malignant). In early users who are still in the pubertal stages of life, the decrease in expected final height is likely due to the premature closing of bony epiphyses. Other symptoms may be hypertension, increased cholesterol, which increases cardiovascular risks. A male user may develop gynecomastia, testicular atrophy, and azoospermia. Some more common effects in females would be alopecia, enlarged clitoris, hirsutism, and deepened voice. "A woman's breast size may decrease; vaginal mucosa may atrophy; menstruation may change or stop; libido may increase or less commonly decrease; and aggressiveness and appetite may increase" (Merck Manual).

In the future it seems as though this abuse of steroids will go on, continuing to increase until more serious measures of prevention are taken. As with any drug, an addict rarely quits without some kind of intervention. Whether it be the knowledge of the risks, or the overall crackdown on the black market (where 60% of steroids are sold) something needs to be done about this "quiet killer." More time, effort and money needs to be directed toward studying the use of steroids. The dangers of long-term effects, if any, need be established before the next generation accepts steroid abuse a "safe" and acceptable way of gaining an edge on the competition.

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