Anabolic Steroids may Affect Future Mental Health

The main conclusion of a new study on elite male strength athletes finds that there is a link between use of anabolic-androgenic steroids and reduced mental health later in life. Twenty per cent of the subjects in the study admitted steroid use.

The study is published by CERA, which is the University of Gothenburg's centre for education and research on addiction. Together with colleagues from Sahlgrenska University Hospital, they found a connection between abuse of anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) and mental health problems many years later.

The study included almost 700 former Swedish wrestlers, weightlifters, powerlifters and throwers who competed at the elite level sometime between 1960 and 1979. Twenty per cent of them admitted using steroids during their active careers. The purpose of the study was to look for links between AAS use and mental problems.

'We found a clear link. AAS users were more likely to have been treated for depression, concentration problems and aggressive behaviour,' says Claudia Fahlke, director at CERA.

The researchers also found that AAS users were more likely to have abused other illicit drugs and alcohol. However, it remains unclear whether the steroid use actually caused the mental health problems or the mental health problems rather caused the steroid use.

'What we were able to show, though, is that psychiatric symptoms and use of steroids and other drugs tend to reinforce each other in a vicious cycle. This suggests that the anti-doping efforts remain very important, both in and outside of sports,' says Fahlke.

6 Ways Testosterone Affects Men's Health

Testosterone Makes the Man
Think of testosterone and you probably conjure images of Rocky Balboa, cavemen, or Christian Bale -- and with good reason. The most potent male hormone is responsible for big muscles and a hearty sex drive. But testosterone plays a bigger role than its macho reputation suggests. Here are 6 ways it impacts your everyday actions.

Builds Bone and Muscle Mass
Testosterone gives men the strength to swing a bat and hit a home run, which is why steroid use is popular among some athletes. The manly hormone, secreted by the testes, improves muscle mass and strength. When testosterone levels decrease, so do muscles, and researchers have found a link between low testosterone and body fat. In one study, 40% of obese men had lower-than-normal testosterone levels. Testosterone also improves bone density. Most guys don't brag about the brawniness of their bones, but weak bones are a major cause of disability and death among older people.

Boosts Sex Drive
While testosterone isn't only about your sex drive, it's a big part of the equation. Testosterone prompts the growth of genitals at puberty and drives reproduction.  Without it your penis can't operate and your testicles can't produce sperm. Low testosterone causes erectile dysfunction, in part, by dampening lusty thoughts and the desire to put them into action. If you have low testosterone, sex holds as much appeal as mowing the lawn.

Promotes Both Body Hair Growth and Baldness
Testosterone puts hair on your chest and other parts of your body, but it might be responsible for thinning hair on the scalp. When testosterone is converted into another male hormone, dihydrotestosterone, it stunts the hair follicles of men who are genetically predisposed to male pattern baldness. If you suddenly don't need to shave as often as usual, you might have low testosterone.

May Prevent Heart Disease
There's a link between heart health and testosterone, but scientists don't fully understand the connection. On the one hand, testosterone can dilate blood vessels, which may help circulation. On the other, it stimulates the growth of red blood cells, which can cause blood to clot more easily and increase stroke risk. Men who have low testosterone have a 25% greater risk of dying from heart disease. Whether low testosterone causes heart disease or is simply a sign of overall poor health is unknown.