Anabolic-androgenic steroid use and body image in men

An article has been published in the journal “Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics” titled “Anabolic-androgenic steroid use and body image in men: A growing concern for clinicians.”  The article reviews a significant body of research that looks at the long term impacts of using anabolic steroids.  It’s clear that there are significant cardiac effects from long term use. The heart muscle can become damaged, and plaque can build up inside the arteries, leading to heart attack or stroke, even in people who are relatively young. There is also evidence of hypogonadism. This occurs due to the suppression of the natural production of testosterone which persists even after people cease using anabolic steroids. The result is low testosterone, which can persist for months and may in fact be permanent. Low testosterone levels can lead to decreased libido, erectile dysfunction, infertility and in some cases major depression.  There is evidence that some people who use anabolic steroids resume using the drugs for this reason, and become dependent - using steroids continuous without interruption for years at a time.

Go to “Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics” titled “Anabolic-androgenic steroid use and body image in men: A growing concern for clinicians.”