There may be as many as 70 side effects. They can range from those as serious and life threatening as liver cancer, heart, or kidney disease to more minor ones such as baldness, unusual distribution of body hair or acne. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, U.S. Department of Education, and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the parts of the body most seriously affected by steroids are the liver, cardiovascular and reproductive system. Children or adolescents may have stunted growth due to the premature closing of the ends of long bones. as well as disturbance in sexual development. Balding may occur in both males and females.
Women produce less natural testosterone.
When taking steroids they may experience masculine characteristics which, unfortunately, are irreversible. Characteristics such as male pattern baldness, voice change , enlarged clitoris, facial and body hair , menstrual irregularities, smaller breasts, oily skin, and sterility. Fetal damage to a developing infant may occur as well. Abuse or addiction syndrome is now being recognized with chronic use of these drugs. Long-term use can lead to a preoccupation with, and craving for the drug, even if side effects are being experienced while taking the drug.