Effects of Anabolic Steroids on Male and Female Fertility

Anabolic steroids, often associated with their use in bodybuilding and athletics, have now become a topic of controversy. If you are a gym lover or an active athlete, you might often use anabolic steroids to boost your muscle strength.

These synthetic testosterone derivatives have both medicinal and non-medical uses. Their capacity to improve muscular growth, strength, and physical beauty attracts people to use them. However, their usage comes with a range of effects and potential risks. It might affect your fertility. So, if you are regularly using anabolic steroids, keep reading this blog, as in this blog, we will discuss what anabolic steroids are and their effects on female and male infertility.

What are Anabolic Steroids?

Anabolic steroids, scientifically known as anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS), are synthetic substances that mimic the role of testosterone, the male sex hormone. Their anabolic properties help in muscle building, while androgenic features influence male traits and reproductive activity.

These substances are available in various forms, like pills, creams, and injections. Athletes and bodybuilders primarily use these steroids to increase muscle mass, improve strength, and enhance overall physical appearance. However, medical applications include treatment for muscle wasting in patients suffering from diseases like AIDS and cancer.

So, how does anabolic steroids affect? Anabolic steroids act like molecular keys, unlocking androgen receptors in cells. This alters gene activity, leading to increased muscle mass and other typical male features like thicker body hair.

And how do these substances cause male or female infertility? The endocrine system is responsible for regulating the hormonal balance in the body. Anabolic steroids affect the endocrine system, changing the natural hormone balance in the body. This altered hormonal level suppresses the release of hormones that are essential for sperm and egg production, impacting fertility in both genders.

Impact of Anabolic Steroids on Male Fertility

Understanding the complex structure of the male reproductive system can help you find the effect of anabolic steroids on male infertility. This complex network of organs plays an important role in the production of sperm and the male sex hormone testosterone.

Testosterone Production: Anabolic steroids are the synthetic substances of testosterone that increase the level of testosterone in the body. This elevated level of testosterone causes long-term effects on male infertility.

Reduced Sperm Count: The elevated level of testosterone sends signals to the brain to suppress the production or release of Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) and Luteinizing Hormone (LH), essential for sperm production. Now, the release of these essential hormones is reduced, and sperm production will also be reduced. This can lead to azoospermia, a condition of having no sperm during ejaculation, thus affecting fertility.

Reduced Sperm Quality: In order to fertilize the egg, good quality and motile sperm are required. The elevated level of testosterone due to the use of anabolic steroids degrades the morphology and motility. This reduced quality decreases the chances of fertilization, causing male infertility.

Hormonal Imbalance: Anabolic steroids alter the male body’s normal hormonal balance, the hypothalamus and pituitary gland, which regulate hormone synthesis, direct the testes to reduce sperm production because of excess of externally consumed testosterone like substances. This hormonal imbalance can also cause other health problems, such as gynecomastia (enlarged breast tissue in men) and decreased libido.

Testicular Atrophy: When anabolic steroids are used over a long period, they can lead to a serious problem called testicular atrophy, where the testicles shrink in size. This happens because these steroids, being external to the body’s natural system, interfere with the body’s normal feedback process. When the body gets the signal that it’s got enough testosterone going around, in response, it reduces its own production. As a result, the testes, which are normally busy producing testosterone, begin to slow down in activity and size, leading to male infertility.

Impact of Anabolic Steroids on Female Fertility

Like men, women athletes also use anabolic steroids to enhance muscle mass and athletic performance. However, prolonged use of anabolic steroids can seriously mess with a woman’s ability to conceive. Let’s see the effects of anabolic steroids on female infertility.

Hormonal Imbalance: First, anabolic steroids are basically synthetic versions of testosterone, which is a male hormone. Now, even though women’s bodies naturally produce a little testosterone, these substances increase the level of testosterones more than is required. This increase in male hormones can disrupt your hormonal balance.

Irregular Menstrual Cycle: One of the most immediate effects of elevated testosterone due to anabolic steroids is on the menstrual cycle. For some women, their periods might become irregular, or they might stop altogether. Regular periods are a sign of ovulation, and ovulation is an important part of fertility. No ovulation means no egg is released, and without an egg, pregnancy just isn’t going to happen, leading to female infertility.

Virilization: Another alarming sign of steroid usage in females is virilization, which means the development of male characteristics in women due to increased levels of male hormones. Signs of virilization include increased body and facial hair (hirsutism), deepening of the voice, and enlargement of the clitoris. These changes can be distressing and, in some cases, irreversible, even after stopping steroid use.

Psychological Effects: Prolonged use of anabolic steroids causes psychological effects like mood swings, aggression or even stress. These psychological effects directly affect reproductive health, ultimately affecting fertility.

Long-Term Effects: Long-term use of anabolic steroids might even increase the risk of ovarian and uterine disorders, which, again, are directly linked to fertility.

Shared Effects of Anabolic Steriods on Male and Female Fertility

While anabolic steroids affect female and male infertility in different ways, some common side effects for both genders are also there. What are those shared effects? Let’s see.

Libido and Sexual Dysfunction: It’s strange but true that drugs commonly used to improve physical prowess may also have a negative impact on one’s sexual life. For men, it can cause erectile dysfunction, and for women, it causes difficulty achieving orgasm. There might be a notable drop in libido in both sexes.

Psychological Effects: The impact of anabolic steroids is not limited to physical changes. In both sexes, prolonged use of anabolic steroids can also cause psychological effects like mood swings, aggression and impaired judgement. These effects can negatively impact one’s fertility.

Management and Reversal of Side Effects of Anabolic Steriods on Fertility

If you are using anabolic steroids and wondering if it is possible to reverse or manage the side effects of these substances to regain your fertility, there is good news. Side effects of anabolic steroids on female and male infertility can be reversed and managed. However, managing the side effects of anabolic steroids involves a comprehensive approach.

One of the easiest ways to reverse the side effects of anabolic steroids is to discontinue the use of these substances. If you are planning to start a family soon, stop the use of steroids and focus on a healthy diet which is rich in fruits and vegetables. This will not only help maintain a healthy weight but also help improve the quality of eggs and sperm.

Another way to manage the hormonal balance is through medical interventions. In men, the medications will help to regulate the release of FSH and LH, which are essential for quality sperm production. In women, the approach might include anti-androgens, which counteract the effects of increased testosterone levels. Hormonal therapies can also regulate menstrual cycles, managing female infertility and other physiological changes.

In extreme cases, it is difficult to reverse the side effects of anabolic steroids on fertility. Still, you need not worry because, due to medical advancement, it is still possible to have your own baby. Here are a few treatment options that can help you to conceive.

Hormonal Therapy: Hormonal therapy is one of the most effective ways to balance the endocrine system to balance the hormonal level, which is essential for treating female infertility.

Assisted Reproductive Technologies: When sperm count is very low Assisted reproductive technologies like IVF (in vitro fertilization), where the eggs and sperm are fertilized outside the body and then the healthy embryo is implanted in the uterus; another option is ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection), where a single sperm is directly injected into the egg in the laboratory, and the rest procedure is similar to IVF. Consulting the best IVF specialist in Delhi can help you understand the entire procedure and make an informed decision.

Modifying lifestyle habits like eating a well-balanced diet, exercising regularly and managing stress can also make a big impact on your fertility.

Conclusion!

While anabolic steroids offer significant benefits in terms of muscle growth and athletic performance, they present complex issues, and female and male infertility is one of them. Whether for medical or non-medical purposes, the use of anabolic steroids should always be approached with caution and under medical supervision.

Also, consult an IVF specialist like Dr Rhythm Gupta to understand the potential side effects of steroids on fertility and get a personalized treatment.