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Performance enhancing drugs and their effects on your body
By Dr Zulfikar Bux
Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine
There are some athletes who use performance enhancing drugs, especially androgens, to boost their
Dr Zulfikar Bux
performance. This is obviously illegal in competitive sports. Steroids are sometimes misused by some (outside of the sporting world) to enhance their appearance/performance. These drugs can leave lasting effects on one’s body and can even be fatal in some cases. Today I wish to educate you on these drugs and their effects with the hope of decreasing its misuse.
WHAT ARE ANDROGENS AND OTHER HORMONES TO BOOST SPORTS PERFORMANCE?
Androgens are male sex hormones that are made naturally by the body.
Testosterone is the most important androgen. It is the reason men have male sexual features, such as:
*Hair on the body and face
*Large, strong muscles
*A deep, low voice
Women also make testosterone but in much lower amounts than men.
Androgens can also be made in a lab and are called “synthetic androgens.” They are also called “anabolic steroids,” or just “steroids.”
Doctors sometimes prescribe testosterone to men whose bodies don’t make enough. It is taken as an injection (shot), as a patch placed on the skin, or a gel rubbed into the skin.
Some people (mostly men, but sometimes women) take androgens or other hormones to build up their muscles and perform better in sports. But there are some serious side effects to people who do this.
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF ANDROGENS AND OTHER HORMONES TO BOOST SPORTS PERFORMANCE?
Androgens and other hormones to boost sports performance include:
*Testosterone – This is the main androgen made by the body. Doctors agree that it is safe to give testosterone to men who cannot make a normal amount of testosterone on their own. For men with normal testosterone levels, taking extra hormone might help sports performance a little bit. But it can be also harmful.
*Synthetic androgens – These include stanozolol and nandrolone, which come in pills (but can also be injected).
*Chemicals that change into androgens in the body – These include androstenedione (also called “andro”) and DHEA. Androstenedione used to be sold as an over-the-counter pill. But it is now prescription-only. There is no proof that it makes your muscles stronger. DHEA pills are sold over-the-counter.
*Chemicals that help the body make more testosterone – One example is human chorionic gonadotropin (also called hCG), a hormone women’s bodies make when they are pregnant. Another is tamoxifen, a pill that blocks the female hormone estrogen. Male athletes use this to prevent breast growth and to increase testosterone when they are taking a break from androgens.
*Growth hormone – This hormone normally helps the body grow and build muscle. Doctors prescribe it to people who don’t make enough of it. But people who have normal amounts of growth hormone sometimes take extra to try to boost their performance. There is no proof that this works, and it can be harmful.
WHAT ARE THE RISKS AND SIDE EFFECTS OF STEROIDS TO BOOST SPORTS PERFORMANCE?
Androgens can cause the following side effects:
*Liver problems
*Mood problems, such as being aggressive
*Too many red blood cells and a higher-than-normal risk of blood clots
In men, androgens cause the testes to stop making natural testosterone and sperm. They also cause men’s breasts to grow (called “gynecomastia”).
In women, androgens cause a deep voice and hair growth on the face and other parts of the body.
In teenagers, androgens can cause the ends of certain bones to fuse together earlier than normal.
In men, hCG can cause the breasts to swell and grow larger.
Growth hormone has many side effects, including:
*Diabetes
*High blood pressure
*An enlarged heart
*Hand swelling
As you can see, there are definitely serious risks associated with using performance enhancing drugs. You should always consult with your doctor before using these drugs and avoid using them for cheating.
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