Alarming trends have been noticed among non-athletes on steroids by the results of a survey released at the 52nd American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) Annual Meeting in Nashville, Tenn. It was stated that health concerns because of steroid use do not deter the users from using steroids.

The results of this survey once again highlight the fact that non-medical and self-administered use of anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) for improving athletic performance or physical appearance is sparse and poorly documented.

From News-Medical.Net:

“Clearly, the alarm is not ringing for the users who responded to our survey,” said Nick A. Evans, M.D., lead author for the study and physician at UCLA-Orthopaedic Hospital, Los Angeles. “They are not sensing or seeing the extremely dangerous game they are playing with these drugs. There are severe health risks associated with steroid use and abuse, but four out of five of our respondents report a greater desire to improve their physical appearance than to protect their health. Creating awareness among influencers like parents, coaches, trainers and health professionals may be a way to reach users and help them guide them back to safe health and fitness habits.”

Anabolic steroid use has been implicated in early heart disease, including sudden death, changes in blood cholesterol profile (increased LDL, lower HDL) resulting in increased risk of coronary artery disease, testicular atrophy, gynecomastia (abnormal enlargement of breasts in males), male pattern baldness, severe acne, premature closure of growth plates in adolescents, emotional disturbances, and other significant health risks.

Nick A. Evans, M.D., lead author for the study and physician at UCLA-Orthopaedic Hospital, Los Angeles, remarked that users making usage of anabolic steroids without any medical guidance are not able to understand the possible risks that are associated with non-medically guided steroid use and this can be extremely dangerous.