Long Term Effects
- Long term effect of AAS in general are unknown
- Specifically, as related to:
- Type of AAS
- Dose
- Frequency of use
- Age at initiation
- Concurrent drug use
- Other confounds
- Varied AAS practices of individuals
- large dosages for prolonged time
- therapeutic dosages intermittently
- Varied AAS practices of individuals
- Investigation has been proposed
- Study the long term effects of AAS
- Costing approximately $1 million
- Approved but never funded
Also see Problems with Current Information.
Physical effects
- All effects fully reversible (adult males)
- Within several months after cessation
- Except postulated changes in the myocardium
- which have not been followed
- Effect vary significantly
- Types of AAS
- Dosages of AAS
- Individuals
- Other situations
- Best documented effects
- Liver
- Serum lipids
- Reproductive system
- Other effects
- Psyche and behavior
- Glucose tolerance and hyperinsulinism
- Cerebrovascular accidents
- Prostatic Changes
- Immune function
- Altered collagen production possibly effecting tendon integrity
- Cardiovascular risk factor
- Hyperinsulinism and decreased glucose tolerance
- Changes in lipoprotein fraction
- Increased triglyceride levels
- Increased concentration of several clotting factors
- Hypertension (via estrogen conversion)
- Changes in myocardium
- Liver structure and function
- Cholestatic jaundice
- Peliosis hepatis
- Hepatocellular hyperplasia
- Hepatocellular adenomas
- Associated with 17 alpha-alkylated (oral) steroids
- Male reproductive system
- Decreased endogenous testosterone
- Decreased gonadotrophic hormones
- Decreased sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG)
- Decreased testicle size
- Sperm
- decreased count
- decreased mobility
- altered morphology
- Gynecomastia
- Women
- Some effects not reversible
- Menstrual abnormalities
- Deepening of the voice
- Shrinkage of the breasts
- Male pattern baldness
- Increased libido, acne, body hair, clitoris size
- Greatly increased testosterone levels
- Decreased sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG)
- Decreased follicle-stimulating hormone
- Decreased thyroid-binding proteins
Also see Physiological Effects of Anabolic/Androgenic Steroids.
Psychological
- Research in the last half century
- AAS used for mood & mental disorders
- Generally positive findings
- Self-reported changes
- Increased self-acknowledged acts of violence
- Mood
- Behavior
- Somatic perceptions
- Case reports noted by steroid users
- Hypomania
- Schizophrenic episodes
- Psychotic episodes
- Transient upon discontinuation
- Seem to be related to type
- Not dosage
- Unclear factors
- Previous history
- Genetic susceptibility
- addictions or mental disorders
- Environmental and peer influences
- Individual expectations
Also see Psychological Effects of Anabolic/Androgenic Steroids.