Anabolic steroids are drugs that are manufactured and are similar to testosterone which is a male sex hormone. Anabolic properties result in muscle building and anabolic steroids can be taken only through a valid prescription in United States. Anabolic steroids are however used to treat some medical problems such as abnormally low testosterone levels and loss of muscle mass because of AIDS and other illnesses. Athletes tend to use anabolic steroid to enhance their performance and may experience anabolic steroid withdrawal when these drugs are stopped.

Misuse of these steroids can cause a number of harmful side effects among the users. Likewise research has also identified anabolic steroid withdrawal among its users. The side effects associated with use of anabolic steroids include liver tumors, kidney tumors, fluid retention, blood pressure problems, increase in the bad cholesterol level along with a decrease in the level of good cholesterol and acne.

Anabolic steroid users often get addicted to these steroids and continue to take them even though they tend to experience the harmful side effects of steroids. The anabolic steroid withdrawal symptoms may include loss of appetite, reduced sex drive, fatigue, mood swings, restlessness and the desire to somehow obtain the steroids. Among the various anabolic steroid withdrawal symptoms experienced by the users of steroids the most common and dangerous withdrawal symptom is depression. The depression associated with withdrawal of anabolic steroids can in some cases last for as long as one year from the time the steroids are stopped. This is particularly true in cases where the depression is left untreated. In fact such depression if left untreated can even lead to suicide.

Some effects of anabolic steroid use among men include infertility, baldness, shrinking of testicles and reduction in the sperm count along with development of breasts. In women steroid use can result in abnormalities in the menstrual cycle, deepening of the voice and enlargement of the clitoris. Aggression and extreme mood swings are also some of the anabolic steroid withdrawal signs.

When anabolic steroids intake is stopped the users often miss the feelings of elation that they experience while the drugs were taken. Some other anabolic steroid withdrawal symptoms include listlessness and apathy along with problems in concentrating. Withdrawal symptoms may include rages and violent behavior. Also when steroids are stopped the enhanced muscles shrink again.