C.6.4

=Use and Abuse of Steroids=

Anabolic steroids are synthetic drugs that have similar structures to the male sex hormone, testosterone. These steroids are used to help anemic, post-surgical and cancer-treated patients to help promote tissue growth and repair.

__//Use//__
 * help with delayed puberty, impotence
 * for recuperating from a serious illness (AIDS patients, anemia, osteoporosis) to build up muscles weakened by inactivity
 * improve weight loss due to illness

//__Abuse__// Mostly occurs in sport (athletes) who use steroids to:
 * enhance athletic performance (especially for weightlifting & bodybuilding)
 * build muscle and mass
 * improve physical appearance

__Possible Side Effects from Abuse of Anabolic Steroids__ > > __More Gender Specific Side Effects Include:__ //In Men// //In Women//
 * liver tumors
 * high blood pressure
 * fluid retention,
 * increases in LDL (“bad”) cholesterol levels,
 * decreases in levels of the “good” cholesterol HDL
 * kidney tumors
 * severe acne
 * affect abuser's mental state
 * skeletal growth
 * heart disorders
 * jaundice (yellowing of skin and eyes)
 * infertility
 * reduced sperm count,
 * testicular shrinking,
 * baldness
 * increased urinary frequency
 * breast development, and
 * may have an increased risk for the development of prostate cancer
 * growth of facial hair,
 * deepened voice,
 * menstrual abnormalities, and
 * male-pattern baldness
 * To prevent the misuse of steroids, competitors are given random urine test to detect these and other banned substances.

This is what you'd look like if you abuse steroids:

or



I prefer the former.