Steroids help to build muscle tissue and can be used by medical professionals to treat many problems. Steroids have a variety of positive uses. However, steroid abuse causes the drug to have side effects that are damaging to the human body.

Skin Damage

Androgens found in steroids cause the skin to develop larger pores which leads to the skin feeling rough. This side effect is more pronounced in females due to the contrast in expected skin texture because as a general rule, females have softer skin. Acne is another side effect of steroids. Again, females seem to have more trouble with this side effect than males. Because of the rapid muscle growth that accompanies the taking of steroids, stretch marks can appear. Hair loss is not uncommon among steroid users, either. This stems from the fact that the body metabolized steroids into DHT which is known to cause hair loss. Hair loss is usually permanent.

Physical Changes

Steroids can cause an individual to be come more aggressive, often affecting relationships. Males might experience feminization while females might experience masculinization as a result of steroid use. In both cases, the male or female experiences pronounced traits that are usually associated with the opposite sex. For males, this can mean that breasts begin to develop along with fatty deposits. For females, this can mean a deeper voice, increase in hair growth such as facial hair, an enlarging of the clitoris, as well as changes in menstrual cycle.

Heart and Bones

The circulatory system is subject to the dangerous side effects of steroids as they serve to increase an individual’s cholesterol. This cholesterol increase can clog arteries and lead to heart problems in the long term. Although steroids increase muscle growth, they do not help bone growth. In fact, the opposite is true. Almost all steroids cause the closing of epiphyseal plates which causes bone growth to cease. This is an especially dangerous side effect for younger users of the drug as most have not developed their skeletal system fully. This can result in bones becoming weaker and more susceptible to injury as well as stunted growth, especially in young users.