Let's find out exactly what steroids are. Your child is not in danger, right?

"Steroids"... You've probably heard these words somewhere, right? Maybe among athletes, at the gym, or in the news. Most of the time, they're talked about as something used to build body mass and improve skills. But, what exactly are steroids? What are the pros and cons of them? What are the reasons, especially for our young children, that they are tempted by this? We'll talk about all of this today. Because knowing this properly can be very important for you and your family.

Steroids are not the same thing! There are two types!

Yes, "steroids" are not always what we immediately think of when we hear them. There are two main types.

1. Corticosteroids - These are the medications that doctors prescribe!

Imagine you have asthma, or a skin allergy, or a complex disease like lupus. At times like these, a doctor may give you a medication called corticosteroids . For example, cortisone is one such medication. These are used to control inflammation in the body, which means swelling and redness. These are completely different from the steroids that bodybuilders and athletes use. These are not them!

2. Anabolic Steroids - These are the "bad" steroids!

These are the ones that people often talk about when they say "steroids," and they can be a bit dangerous. These are also called anabolic-androgenic steroids . Simply put, these are synthetic hormones that are made in a lab. The main purpose of these is to build muscle, strengthen existing muscle, and stop it from breaking down.

Some athletes use these to artificially enhance their performance. That is, they can run faster, jump farther, lift heavier, hit harder, or stay in shape for longer. However, in many countries, including Sri Lanka, it is illegal to use these anabolic steroids without a prescription from a doctor.

Another one in this group is Androstenedione , or "Andro" for short. This is also used by some athletes to build muscle. But it is also a controlled substance because it can be harmful to health. Also, it has not been proven that it really has a significant anabolic effect.

Why are people, especially young people, tempted to use anabolic steroids?

There could be several reasons for this. You may have seen that world-famous baseball players, cycling champions, and athletes have been caught using steroids. Some have even admitted to using them. The purpose is to get ahead of others in competitions, to gain an advantage.

The sad thing is, this trend has now reached even young athletes . It could be a kid on a school team, or it could be a young person playing at the provincial or national level.

Imagine, someone you know has a child on the school cricket team. He may be under a lot of pressure from his friends, maybe even the coaches, to "build up his muscles", "increase his power". Maybe someone might even say, "Hey... let's try some steroids? The results will be quick."

These are the kinds of pressures that often push young people in this direction:

• The desire and pressure to be stronger and faster.
• The need to understand university teams and national teams.
• The desire to have a "beautiful body" and stand out from others.

Although steroids promise great results, there is little evidence to support their effectiveness. However, the potential harm they can cause to a child's growing body is significant. Some side effects may not become apparent until years later.

How do these anabolic steroids work in the body?

Anabolic steroids are substances that are chemically similar to the sex hormone testosterone, which is naturally produced in our bodies. Testosterone is a very important hormone for men. It is what causes male characteristics such as muscle growth, facial hair, and a deepening voice during puberty in boys.

So, when someone takes anabolic steroids, their blood testosterone levels are artificially increased. This signals the muscles in their bodies to grow bigger and stronger. However, getting too much testosterone in the body in this way can be very harmful in the long run.

What are the dangers of anabolic steroids?

There are several reasons why these are dangerous:

• They are illegal: using them without a doctor's permission is a serious offense.
• Serious health problems can occur:Especially if used in large doses for a long time. Some problems only appear after years.
• Buying online is risky: You may end up with a counterfeit product, which may even contain toxic ingredients.

Possible side effects and health problems caused by anabolic steroids

Even though you might think these will cause a rash, the actual side effects are not insignificant.

Harm to the reproductive system:

Using these for a long time can cause serious damage to the reproductive system.

• For men:
• Sexual weakness, that is, impotence , may occur.
• Sperm production in the testicles may decrease.
• The testicles can even become smaller.
• For women:
• Various problems can occur during the menstrual cycle . This is because these steroids can disrupt the maturation and release of eggs from the ovaries.
• This can lead to fertility problems in later life.