How to spot if your friend or spouse is using steroids

Steroids - A word that has been around since the 'beginning of time'. Back in the day it was a 'hush hush' when the words Steroid was used. Today just about everybody talks about it very openly and it even seems 'not bad' to be on a cycle of steroids and is readily available at a drop of a phone call.

However, you ask anybody, they will tell you that the use of steroids is not good for you and could possibly have life threatening illness in the long run.

So why do men and women take steroids?
Steroids are associated with so many sports these days. Cycling, bodybuilding, rugby, athletics and the list goes on and on. There are a few reasons why people take steroids- There is big money in sport and to be the best, one has to consistently perform at one's best, (sponsorship, winning incentives, etc) but it's not just the professional athlete using steroids these days. Your boyfriend / girlfriend could be using it too. The average guy or girl wants to be Bigger - 'Bigger is Better' or so it seems. This could come at a 'high' price - the price of your well being.

Anabolic steroids has been associated with a wide range of adverse side effects ranging from some that are physically unattractive.

Hormonal System
Steroid abuse disrupts the normal production of hormones in the body, causing both reversible and irreversible changes.  Changes that can be reversed include reduced sperm production and shrinking of the testicles (testicular atrophy).

In the female body, anabolic steroids cause masculinization,  Breast size and body fat decrease, the skin becomes coarse, the clitoris enlarges, and the voice deepens.  Women may experience excessive growth of body hair.

Musculoskeletal system
Rising levels of testosterone and other sex hormones normally trigger growth spurt that occurs during puberty and adolescence and provide the singles to stop growth as well.

Cardiovascular system
Steroid abuse has been associated with cardiovascular diseases (CVD), including heart attacks and strokes, even in athletes younger than 30.

Liver
Steroid abuse has been associated with liver tumors and a rare condition called peliosis hepatis, in which blood-filled cysts form in the liver.  Both the tumors and the cysts can rupture, causing internal bleeding.

Skin
Steroid abuse can cause acne, cysts, and oily hair and skin.

Research also indicates that some users might turn to other drugs to alleviate some of the negative effects of anabolic steroids.  For example, a study of 227 men admitted in 1999 to a private treatment center for addiction to heroin or other opioids found that 9.3 percent had abused anabolic steroids before trying any other illicit drug.

Steroid abuse
Steroid abusers typically spend large amounts of time and money obtaining the drugs, which is another indication that they may be addicted.  Individuals who abuse steroids can experience withdrawal symptoms when they stop taking steroids, such as mood swings, fatigue, restlessness, loss of appetite, insomnia, and steroid cravings.  The most dangerous of the withdrawal symptoms is depression, because it sometimes leads to suicide attempts.

The famous "Big gut" or distended stomach is another sign of steroid use.