Heart disease, stroke, liver damage and cancer are among the diseases associated with steroid use. Steroid use has led some individuals to commit homicide or suicide. Doctor's say that taking steroids can create a dangerous imbalance in the body's hormone levels. Among the side effects are high levels of cholesterol that can lead to early heart disease, cancerous tumors of the liver, infertility caused by a decrease in sperm production and shrinkage of the testicles, kidney problems, and menstrual irregularities and masculinization in women. Ironically, adolescents who take steroids to get bigger may end up being smaller.
Steroids can stunt growth.
Teenagers may develop bigger muscles initially, but steroids can cause the growth plates at the end of bones to close prematurely, causing users to stop growing before they reach their intended height.