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You are here : home > Pregnancy > Medical Aspects of Pregnancy > Anabolic and Androgenic Steroids

Anabolic and Androgenic Steroids

Anabolic and Androgenic Steroids

Taking anabolic and androgenic steroids during pregnancy may not be safe. It can have harmful effects on the development of foetus. Read on to learn more about the harmful effects of taking anabolic and androgenic steroids during pregnancy and otherwise.

Anabolic and androgenic steroids - The male and female sex organs, the adrenal cortex, and the placenta, all produce steroidal hormones which influence the development and maintenance of the structures directly and indirectly associated with reproduction. The secretion of sex hormones is controlled by the gonadotropic hormones of anterior lobe of the pituitary gland.

Anabolic steroids and other substances with androgenic effects may have a virilising effect on the female foetus. Animal studies have shown that high doses of progestagens can cause masculization of the female foetus. Cyprotone acetate, an antiandrogen, carries the potential for feminisation of the male foetus and should therefore be avoided during pregnancy.

Products: Progesterone and Hydroxy-progesterone
For Children: Not recommended
For Pregnant Women: Rule out pregnancy where abortion is not the indication
For Breastfeeding Mothers: Contra-indicated
Contra-indications*: Undiagnosed bleed per vaginum
Caution: Migraine, bronchial asthma
Products: Danazol
For Children: Not recommended
For Pregnant Women: Contra-indicated. Causes virilisation of the female foetus. Avoid pregnancy for three months following cessation of the treatment
For Breastfeeding Mothers: Contra-indicated. May affect the nursing infant.
Contra-indications*: Thrombo-embolic disease
Caution: Unexpected vaginal bleeding

When are Androgenic and Anabolic Steroids Recommended?

The androgenic and anabolic steroids are simply known as "anabolic steroids". These are a kind of synthetic substance related with sex hormone of males. Effect of the anabolic drugs helps growth of skeletal muscles and also ensures growth and development of the sexual characteristics of a man.

Treating Health Issues

These drugs need to be taken under prescription and are meant to treat those suffering from issues like impotence or delayed puberty. These steroids are also used to treat wastes produces in body because of diseases like AIDS.Androgens and anabolic steroids are also known to treat women suffering from breast cancer, hormonal imbalances, and issues like weight loss, anaemia or osteoporosis.

Taken By Athletes

These drugs are also popular among athletes, who aim to improve their sports performance. In fact there are several instances when athletes misused such drugs. The effect of the drug keeps an athlete slim and the muscle sizes increase. Those who take such steroids find it easier to recover from muscle injury. This also enables them to perform more vigorous and long training sessions every day.

Abuse of Anabolic Steroids

In countries like Canada and the US, these drugs are considered illegal and cannot be taken without a prescription. Over the world you can find more than 100 types of this drug. The drugs are taken either orally, rubbed in the skin when bought in the form of gel or cream and some others are injected inside.
The abusers are known to take the drugs in 2 different ways that maximises the harm. They are:
  1. The dose of 10 is taken morethan 100 times, which is far beyond the medical practice.
  2. Often the drugs are being stacked and 2 or more varieties are taken together. In this case, the drugs are administered via different routes.
These strategies can be very dangerous and the stacking method has not shown to bring any added benefit to the users.
There are bodybuilders and athletes, who use these so called "dietary supplements" to improve their stamina and performances. The benefits stated by the marketers are hugely overstated and can also out you in dangers. The drugs contain Andro that transforms testosterone to a regulated steroid, but how efficiently it can transform is a matter of huge debate. According to the experts, Andro fails to create the desirable effects. Also, it is known to be as different types of synthetic testosterone and testosterone.

Common Side Effects with Use of the Drug

As mentioned earlier consuming such drugs during pregnancy can cause masculization of female foetus and feminisation of male foetus. There is wide range of side effects that you can experience by taking the steroid otherwise as well. The long term effects can often become uncontrolled and lead to fatal consequences. Here are some of the side effects that you must be aware of:
  • Kidney disease
  • Liver disease
  • Loss of hair
  • Oily hair and skin, acne
  • Irritability, indigestion, depression, suicidal thoughts, mood swings and so on.
  • Irregular periods in women
  • Infertility
  • Lack of sperm
  • Too much body hair in men and deeper voice in women
  • Increased risk of bacterial and fungal infections because of unsterile infections
  • Stunted height and growth in teens
Thus, it is necessary to take all the possible precautions before taking the steroids. In case of severe addiction to anabolic drugs you might need supportive care and medical intervention. With medications you may be able to restore normal functioning of your hormones. Your doctor shall be the best person to suggest right medicines to you in this case. You may be given anti-depressants or suggested behavioural therapies in some cases. In case if you are pregnant than you need to be extremely cautions as such drugs can have harmful effects on your foetus. Whatever be the case, try and co-operate with your doctor to the fullest for a better and healthy life.

What are anabolic and androgenic steroids? When are anabolic and androgenic drugs advised and who are advised to take them? What are the risks associated with taking anabolic and androgenic steroids during pregnancy? Discuss here.


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Liza
Liza.11 years ago
good info. i think many women would have been unaware of the side effects if not mentioned here.....
 
 
 
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Stevens
Stevens.11 years ago
steroids are not safe even under normal conditions.....they should be used wid caution
 
 
 
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Mohena
Mohena.11 years ago
Very informative.....it is better to avoid such medications during pregnancy and breast feeding.
 
 
 
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