Anabolic steroids can increase the risk of premature death in men

Men who use anabolic androgens steroids like testosterone may face a higher risk of premature death, warns a new study.

Mortality was three times higher among users of anabolic steroids – steroidal androgens including natural substances like testosterone as well as synthetic fibers – compared to non-users.

The increase in consumption has also been associated with a significant increase in the number of hospitalizations resulting in significant side effects, including acne, gynecomastia and erectile dysfunction.

Anabolic steroids are associated with a range of side effects that can be directly attributed to their pharmacological activities, according to lead author Henrik Horwitz, of the University of Copenhagen in Denmark.

The prevalence of androgen abuse of anabolic steroids over the course of life is estimated to be around 6% in men, but the side effects of these drugs are little known.

In the study published in the Journal of Internal Medicine, 545 men using androgenic steroids were matched to 5,450 controls.

The results showed that the median annual number of contacts with hospitals was 0.81 for anabolic androgenic steroid users and 0.36 for controls.

In addition, acne, gynecomastia and erectile dysfunction have affected more than 10% of users of anabolic androgenic steroids.

Given the high rate of anabolic androgenic steroid abuse, these side effects are a source of public health concern, the researchers noted.

Source: IANS

Posted: 22 November 2018 11:34 | Updated: November 22, 2018 at 13:26