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Do Steroids Cause Hair Loss?

razaul

razaul

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We all know what steroids can do to a person’s physique, and this is what people notice first. People tend to overlook the side effects and how it affects the other parts of the body. Have you noticed that men with huge and muscular physiques have shaved heads? Do steroids cause hair loss?

Though many are doing this for people to notice their upper body, it is proven that the use of steroids contributes to hair loss, especially when used regularly. All medications have side effects on one’s body, whether physical or internal.





Types of Steroids​


Steroids are man-made hormones that can be taken in the form of tablets, capsules, sprays, creams, and injections. There are different types of steroids, which doctors usually prescribe as a medical treatment. It can be used for hormone therapy, birth control, asthma, eczema, and arthritis.


Anabolic Steroids​


Anabolic steroids are the synthetic version of male hormones. It is famous for athletes and bodybuilders, but its use is illegal in this industry. Because of its effect on a man’s body, it was called a Performance Enhancing Drug. Using anabolic steroids can only be legal if it has a doctor’s prescription.

Its anabolic effects aid in protein production and increased testosterone levels, which is essential for people who want to improve their muscular physique. Aside from building muscles, anabolic steroids may also help in fat burning. Athletes and bodybuilders use steroids for their improved strength and endurance effects.

Anabolic steroids also have androgenic effects that contribute to developing male characteristics. Females who take anabolic steroids can develop deep voices and facial hairs.

If prescribed, anabolic steroids can be used in the treatment of disorders that cause loss of muscle tissues or for a quick recovery if a patient has suffered from an injury. Usually, anabolic steroids are taken orally or injected.


Corticosteroids​


Corticosteroids are used for medical reasons. Compared to anabolic steroids, it is used for several medical conditions and only used as treatments. It can be taken for the long term, especially for people who are suffering from a chronic illness.

This type of steroid focuses on a person’s immune system to block inflammatory triggers. There are different types of corticosteroids, but all of these are only used for medical purposes. It supplies the production of cortisol, which is naturally produced by the body.

Corticosteroids can be taken orally in syrup or tablets to prevent organ rejection after a transplant. It may also be injected to treat joint pains. It may also be given as an inhaler or with the use of a nebulizer to treat asthma and assist with breathing. Topical corticosteroids come in the form of creams and gels, which treat different skin diseases.



Hair Loss Side Effects​


Not all types of steroids may cause hair loss. However, this effect is prominent in people who use anabolic steroids. Steroid users are aware of these side effects. But still, many people use anabolic steroids to build their muscle mass.

Hair loss is an unavoidable effect of steroids, especially in men. This is due to a male hormone that causes the hair to be thinner. Since steroids are synthetic male hormones, they can speed up the process of hair loss. Men’s androgenic alopecia starts with patches and eventually develops into baldness.

People who have a genetic background of hair loss may experience the hair loss effects of steroids faster than other individuals.



Long-Term Effects of Steroid Use​


Taking steroids is addictive, especially if you see that it enhances your muscular physique. It can make the user look muscular for a long, but its negative effects will also be experienced long-term.


Physical Appearance​


Aside from hair loss, an individual who uses steroids may also experience severe acne breakouts and oily skin. Steroids can also cause skin thinning. Users can experience easy bruising or difficulty in wound healing. As for men, it may shrink testicles.


Psychological and Mental Effects​


Excessive use of steroids may also affect an individual’s mood and behavior. The uncontrollable aggression of steroid users is called Roid Rage. Abusers may also have sleep deprivations or insomnia, which sometimes cause mood swings.

Individuals who use multiple kinds of steroids and are alcoholics are prone to mood disturbances and emotional rages.


Health Effects​


One of the most harmful long-term effects of steroid use is diseases and illnesses concerning the internal organs. Many users are experiencing cardiovascular diseases like cardiomyopathy. Kidney and liver diseases or osteoporosis is also considered a long-term effect of steroid addiction.

Young men adults who started using steroids in their teenage years may experience impotence and low sperm count. At the same time, women can have irregular menstruation or infertility.



Treatments for Steroid Hair Loss​


People who stop taking steroids may stop the hair loss effect. But for those whose hair falls continue, their genes play a huge part. However, the immediate stop of using steroids may cause withdrawal, especially for those addicted to steroid use. The good thing is there are other ways to treat hair loss while gradually stopping using steroids.


Follicular Unit Extraction​


Follicular Unit Extraction or also called a hair transplant, is a process done by dermatologists. It involves transferring your hair follicles from other parts of your body to your scalp. It is a minimally invasive hair regrowth process that uses a micro-surgical extraction instrument.

The treatment is done through several sessions, which may take 2 to 4 hours each. If needed, a mega session is done, which takes more than 10 hours. An expert in FUE can do thousands of grafts in a day.


Lateral Slit Technique​


The lateral slit technique is recommended for people who haven’t lost their entire hair. It is another surgical technique where the transferred hair follicles are arranged in a way that mimics the hair’s natural arrangement. In this treatment, hair regrowth can be seen as early as two weeks.


Minoxidil​


Minoxidil is a topical treatment for hair loss tailored for androgenic alopecia. It is a solution that forms a foam applied on the scalp. However, the effects of minoxidil may take months and will only continue if minoxidil is applied continuously. It is recommended for steroid users who have just started experiencing hair thinning.


Combating Hair Loss with Diet and Lifestyle Changes​


Hair regrowth is possible with eating the right food and lifestyle changes. In addition, changes in diet and lifestyle also promote good health for the entire body.

Nutrient deficiencies add slow down hair growth and contribute to poor hair quality. You may add foods that are high in zinc and iron. If you don’t like to take hair-regrowing supplements, this is a good alternative. You may also add anti-inflammatory herbs and spices since it also aids in hair regrowth.

Vitamin A promotes healthy hair follicles, while vitamin B7 improves the appearance of the hair. With these vitamins, you can improve your hair health in the long run. Vitamin A can be found in fruits, carrots, fish oil, and eggs.

Aside from increasing your vitamin and nutrient intake, reducing alcohol and smoking can also help in healthy hair regrowth. Cigarettes are found to be damaging the hair follicles, which hinders hair growth.

Regular daily exercise is also recommended to prevent hair loss. It doesn’t need to be an intense workout, but having something that can make you sweat may help reduce stress, which is also causing hair loss.


Understanding The Risk of Steroid Use​


The side effects of steroids should not be taken lightly. Its short-term effects are manageable, but its effects on internal organs and mental health can be fatal.

Rich Piana, one of the famous bodybuilders, confessed that he had used steroids for almost 30 years. He suddenly collapsed and was in a coma when he was rushed to the hospital. The police found 20 bottles of steroids in his home following his death. Before he died, he was experiencing warning signs of cardiac arrest, which was one of the most prominent effects of steroid addiction.

Steroids increase the chances of blood clots which disrupts the blood flow, making the heart pump blood ineffectively. A malfunctioning heart may cause stroke or heart attack in people with steroid addiction.


The Bottomline​


Steroid use is only acceptable if used for medical conditions. Aside from hair loss, it is associated with fatal risks. Despite the risks, many are still using it to speed up muscle formation and weight loss.
 
Joe Pietaro

Joe Pietaro

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One of the negative side effects is hair thing/loss.
 

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