Beyond Infertility: How Anabolic Steroids Cause Impotence, Erectile Dysfunction, and Other Cardiac, Liver, and Psychological Issues. Learn More in Today’s Post!
The rise in anabolic steroid use has become a significant concern within the fitness world. In the quest for the perfect body, many users turn to the infamous “roids” without any medical advice or supervision.
This reckless consumption not only compromises physical health but also affects the sexual and mental health of users. Anabolic steroids can lead to a host of harmful side effects, including cardiac, liver, and psychological issues, which are often underestimated in the pursuit of quick results.
It’s also crucial to remember that using such substances for muscle gain is not only harmful but also officially banned in Brazil for aesthetic purposes by the Federal Medical Council since 2023.
This decision was a direct response to the rising cases of abuse and the lack of understanding of the potential harms.
The aim of this text today is to alert readers about the harmful effects associated with these substances, which compromise long-term quality of life and directly impact men’s sexual health due to anabolic steroids causing impotence.
For a healthy fitness lifestyle free from issues, why not invest in health and overall well-being rather than seeking dangerous shortcuts?
After all: do anabolic steroids cause erection problems and infertility? And what are the urological risks of anabolic steroid use? Find out below.
Anabolic Steroids and Erectile Dysfunction: Does Substance Use Cause Infertility?
You’ve probably heard that anabolic steroid use harms sexual life, right? Know that this is no exaggeration, and that statement is entirely true.
Yes, anabolic steroid use causes sexual impotence, erectile dysfunction, and infertility in men due to a range of adverse effects on the hormonal and reproductive systems.
The first side effect of unrestrained anabolic steroid consumption may be an imbalance in the body’s natural testosterone levels.
While they can temporarily increase testosterone levels, the body interprets this increase as a signal to decrease or even stop natural hormone production.
This shock to the natural functioning structure can cause a significant drop in endogenous testosterone levels, essential for healthy erectile function and sperm production, for example.
Another serious issue affecting anabolic steroid users is testicular atrophy. In this case, the testicles shrink in size due to reduced sperm production.
Testicular atrophy is a common side effect of prolonged use of these substances and can also contribute to male infertility.
Moreover, the substances found in anabolic steroids – mainly anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS), synthetic derivatives of testosterone – can directly interfere with semen production, making it less viable for fertilization.
Together, all these factors harm the male hormonal and reproductive systems, potentially leading to previously non-existent erectile dysfunction and infertility.
Can Impotence and Infertility Be Reversed?
Often, reversing sexual impotence and infertility caused by anabolic steroid use depends on a detailed medical evaluation, considering various factors. Therefore, it is possible to say that reversal is feasible, depending on the case.
Among these are the duration and severity of substance use, as well as the body’s individual response to discontinuing contact with the substance.
In some cases, after cessation of use, hormonal levels may gradually recover, and erectile function can return to normal.
However, some individuals, especially men who have abused these substances for extended periods (years), may not experience complete recovery. There is a difficulty and it may require medical intervention.
There is no magic formula for reversing the situation: to assist affected individuals, urologists may recommend hormone therapies to restore natural testosterone levels, along with measures to promote overall reproductive system health.
As with any health issue requiring drastic lifestyle changes, anabolic steroid use is no different: improvements in diet with a balanced diet, regular physical exercises, and stress reduction can also be beneficial in recovering erectile function and fertility.
Harms of Anabolic Steroid Use on Sexual Life
It’s important to emphasize here: avoiding the use of anabolic steroids and other substances that may harm the hormonal and reproductive system is the best way to protect long-term sexual and reproductive health.
Uncontrolled consumption can have negative impacts on male sexual life. As previously explained in this text, the use of these substances can cause:
- Erectile dysfunction, making it difficult or impossible to achieve and maintain an erection suitable for sexual activity;
- Interference with semen quantity and quality, which can lead to reduced sperm count and decreased sperm motility;
- Testicular atrophy, due to the interruption of natural hormone production;
- Changes in libido and decreased sexual desire.
Effects of Anabolic Steroids on Men’s General Health
The indiscriminate use of anabolic steroids can have a series of negative impacts on men’s general health, beyond the visible effects on muscle development.
Besides the specific impacts on sexual health, other aspects of the male organism can suffer from the damages. Among the main ones are:
- Cardiovascular system: Anabolic steroid use can cause increased blood pressure, increased LDL cholesterol (the “bad” one), and decreased HDL cholesterol (considered the “good” cholesterol). With this, the likelihood of cardiovascular problems, such as heart attacks and strokes, may increase.
- Endocrine system: Anabolic steroid use can lead to problems in the natural production of hormones, such as testosterone, resulting in hormonal imbalances that affect not just sexual function but also metabolism, mood, and bone health.
- Musculoskeletal system: Despite the visible effects on muscle mass gain, anabolic steroids can also weaken tendons and ligaments, increasing the risk of musculoskeletal injuries.
- Liver: Among the liver damages related to anabolic steroid use are hepatitis, liver tumors, and jaundice. Prolonged use of these substances can lead to liver failure, a potentially fatal condition.
- Mental health: The consumption of anabolic steroids can also cause mood swings, irritability, aggression, and even psychosis in some cases.
- Skin and hair: Moreover, anabolic steroids can cause severe acne and hair loss in men predisposed to these issues genetically.
When Is the Use of Anabolic Steroids Allowed?
In some cases and, when prescribed by a doctor, the use of anabolic steroids is permitted for treating specific medical conditions, such as:
- Hypogonadism (low testosterone levels due to a medical condition);
- Delayed growth;
- Conditions causing muscle mass loss in certain medical conditions, like cancer or HIV/AIDS;
- Severe aplastic anemia, when the bone marrow fails to produce enough blood cells.
But remember: self-medication with anabolic steroids for aesthetic purposes is illegal and can cause irreversible harm to your body. If you are suffering from any of the conditions listed above, consulting your doctor is essential.
If you are experiencing problems with impotence and infertility due to anabolic steroid use, seeking medical guidance is crucial to develop an appropriate and personalized treatment plan. Here at EMC clinic, we can help you. Contact our team!
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