Steroids And Sexual Health: The Impacts You Want To Avoid

by Paul M. Tyson [MD]
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When it comes to sexual health, steroids could have an impact on both men and women. Steroids will undoubtedly mess with a woman’s menstrual cycle and cause men to produce fewer sperm than they usually would.

Side effects of steroids when it comes to male consumption may include breast development, testicular shrinkage, and baldness. Additionally, it causes facial hair growth, clitoris enlargement, voice deepening, and breast shrinkage in women.

Even after stopping use, steroids can cause diminished libido and erectile dysfunction. An increase in libido without any indication of erectile dysfunction can result from anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS), but frequent abuse can have the reverse effect.

On the other hand, several consumers of legal steroids claim that they did not face any issues when it came to the consumption of legal steroids.

In this article, we will be looking at all about steroids and sexual health.

all about steroids and sexual health

Relationship Between Steroids And Sexual Health

When you hear the word “steroids,” you typically think of two things. One is any drug you might take for an inflammatory condition like eczema or asthma. The other is something you might use in the gym to aid in muscle growth.

Corticosteroids are steroids that resemble cortisol, a steroid hormone produced by the human adrenal gland, and are used to treat inflammatory conditions.

The most well-known bodily processes that cortisol and, by extension, corticosteroids play a significant role in are our stress response and inflammatory response.

There are other steroids, referred to as anabolic steroids, nevertheless. They are used in the gym to add muscle, and you may have heard them referred to as roids.

The male sex hormone generated in the testes, testosterone, which is in charge of male sexual development and growth, is mimicked by these anabolic steroids.

Due to their chemical makeup, both substances are known as steroids, but they are not the same, having entirely different modes of action and applications.

Relationship Between Steroid Use and Male Fertility

For many guys, accepting male infertility can be a highly sensitive and challenging subject. It can be shocking to learn that they might be contributing to the issue by consuming certain supplements, particularly (anabolic) steroids.

The use of steroids to increase strength and fitness can significantly reduce sperm counts (to zero in many cases). Sperm count can drop when testosterone levels are increased.

The use of steroids to increase muscle mass and general fitness can deceive the brain into believing that enough testosterone is being generated. As a result, the testicles receive less communication from the brain.

Steroid use can cause shrinking testicles and poor (or missing) sperm counts. Steroids are similar to male birth control in certain ways. The best part here is that this type of infertility among men is frequently quite treatable and curable.

It typically takes three months after stopping the usage of steroids for the sperm to reappear in a man’s semen. Recovery may take longer, perhaps even a year or more, for guys who have been on steroids for a very long time.

On rare occasions, a doctor may advise men to take testosterone to increase a general testosterone level that is below normal. This would be a suitable application for testosterone.

However, because testosterone is a steroid hormone, it will lower sperm counts. Various alternative drugs can assist maintain normal testosterone levels and a normal sperm count if a guy has baseline low testosterone and also wishes for fertility.

Anabolic Steroids And Male Fertility

Many men who want to use steroids do so because they have a negative perception of their bodies or feel pressured to look better for their girlfriends.

Ironically, abusing anabolic steroids can result in infertility, shrinking testicles, low sperm counts, and erectile dysfunction (ED). Using steroids can increase a woman’s desire for sex.

However, it is well known that female steroid use can cause masculinization, facial hair may sprout and breast tissue may shrink. These kinds of bodily changes may hurt body image and self-esteem.

Can Steroid-Induced Erectile Dysfunction Last A Lifetime?

Anabolic steroid use that is excessive disrupts the body’s normal testosterone synthesis, which can result in low sperm counts, damaged sperm, erectile dysfunction, baldness, and infertility.

The long-term ramifications of anabolic steroid abuse are still unclear; some men have symptom relief after stopping use, while others experience lasting reproductive organ damage.

After stopping the use of steroids, some men report fewer ED symptoms, but others have long-term impacts on their reproductive health. One typical negative side effect of steroid use is erectile dysfunction (ED).

As the body no longer depends on its production of testosterone, steroids can also impair a man’s sexual desire and cause the testicles to atrophy. Fortunately, ED can be treated, and there are steps you may do to avoid it.

Managing Erectile Dysfunction Brought On By Steroids

Change your lifestyle and quit using anabolic steroids as the first and greatest steps to managing erectile dysfunction brought on by steroid use.

Regrettably, it could take three months to a year for your body to return to normal testosterone levels. Because of this, getting back to earlier levels of sexual performance could take this long.

Rarely, it may take a very long period for testosterone production to resume normal levels. If erectile dysfunction still exists after stopping steroid use, you can try several different treatments to get your sexual function back to normal.

Take PDE5 inhibitors, like viagra, to enhance blood flow to the penis, which will help you maintain an erection long enough for sexual activity.

To maintain an erection, one can also utilize other non-permanent procedures like pumps and constriction rings. It is crucial to discuss the best remedies for you with your doctor at all times.

Depending on the severity of your condition and any other anabolic steroid adverse effects you could have, your treatments may change.

Do Steroids Affect The Sexual Health Of Women?

A decrease in estrogen production, the female sex hormone, which causes ovulation and menstruation abnormalities and, in rare cases, infertility, is an adverse impact of high-dose steroid use on the reproductive and sexual systems.

However, these side effects are equally frequent in competitive athletes and physically demanding women who don’t take anabolic steroids.

Clitoris hypertrophy, or an excessively enlarged clitoris, is another potential permanent side effect of anabolic steroid use.

The use of anabolic steroids by women can have a variety of effects. Whether or not they have a partner, most women report that using increases their libido and view this as a desirable trait.

Some women may perceive having a heightened sex urge but not being in a relationship as a negative effect. Some women may report problems with their sex lives as a result of genital modifications, such as an enlarged clitoris.

Abusing prescription drugs or drugs purchased illegally has many drawbacks. Long-term use can cause renal and liver issues, high blood pressure, and an increased risk for heart attacks in addition to the negative effects already stated.

The use of anabolic steroids can become habit-forming and addictive. Consider speaking with a licensed healthcare practitioner if you have questions about your steroid use or if you know someone who could be having trouble.

Conclusion

If you take steroids frequently or at a high dosage, side effects are more likely to occur. To keep your condition under control, you need to make sure you are taking the lowest dose possible.

Long-term usage of steroids can affect your sexual health and occasionally interfere with your sexual functions and well-being. Always use steroids under expert supervision only.