Steroid intake is increasingly becoming popular with athletes, bodybuilders, and fitness enthusiasts desirous of building muscularly, enhancing endurance power as well as physical aesthetics. Even though anabolic steroids would benefit from these points of view, they hold severe health risks, such as do steroids cause erectile dysfunction.
The connection between steroids and ED is well known. Steroids do not only have an impact on physical health but also on the regulation of hormones, which play a significant role in sexual functioning. In this blog, we shall discuss the effects of steroids, do steroids cause erectile dysfunction, and what you can do to manage and prevent ED if you are on or have been on anabolic steroids.
Understanding Steroids
Steroids are some classes of organic compounds carrying a range of molecules within them, including hormones, vitamins, and drugs, among others. There is a general awareness of two major types- corticosteroids and AAS. Corticosteroids are commonly prescribed for medical cases, such as inflammatory conditions and asthma, as well as autoimmune disorders. Mainly, anabolic steroids are used on the body to mimic the influence of testosterone in building bulk mass. It is primarily anabolic steroids, referred to colloquially as “roids” or “performance enhancers,” that most closely relate to sexual dysfunction and other health impacts.
Do Steroids Cause Erectile Dysfunction?
Indeed, the answer to the question is yes, steroids cause ED. Anabolic steroids influence hormone levels directly, which is, especially testosterone since it is important for the maintenance of sexual function and reproductive health. When taking anabolic steroids, your body may stop producing its natural testosterone. This means users can suffer from a series of sexual health problems, including low libido and erectile dysfunction.
How Do Steroids Cause Erectile Dysfunction?
Do steroids cause erectile dysfunction? Steroids cause erectile dysfunction by interfering with the body’s normal balance of hormones.
- Testosterone is the hormone that regulates drive, supports muscle growth, and aids sexual health.
- Synthetic testosterone introduced into the body through anabolic steroids causes the brain to send a message that it will stop producing its own testosterone.
- This creates a medical condition known as hypogonadism where the body cannot produce enough testosterone.
- ED is one outcome of a deficiency in one hormone or the other resulting from their deficiency.
- Finally, increased estrogen levels lead to dysfunction in sexual and reproductive behavior following anabolic steroids’ ingestion.
Although estrogens are required, albeit at low levels for males in order to participate normally sexually, elevated hormones contribute to erectile dysfunction. An imbalance of estrogen and testosterone caused by steroids can lead to ED.
The Science behind ED and steroid use
A lot of studies have found a direct association of long-term steroid use with ED. According to a review study that came out in 2022, it was mentioned that nearly 20% of steroid users faced ED, while more than 30% reported a reduction in drive.
Do steroids cause erectile dysfunction? Anabolic steroids also cause physical changes that contribute to ED. The testicles shrink because of decreased production of natural testosterone. This results in not only problems with sperm production but also intimacy and ED.
Psychological Effects of Steroid-Induced ED
Apart from the physical impacts, the psychological effects of steroid use can worsen erectile dysfunction. Steroid users often suffer from anxiety, depression, and body image issues, all of which can impair sexual performance. Performance anxiety, in particular, can make it difficult to maintain an erection, creating a vicious cycle of stress and sexual dysfunction. For men already dealing with steroid-induced ED, these psychological issues may further complicate their condition.
How to Avoid ED During Steroid Use?
Do steroids cause erectile dysfunction? Suppose you are planning to use anabolic steroids or already do. In that case, it is essential to know the side effects and take necessary precautions in order to minimize the risk of developing ED. Here are some ways to effectively manage your steroid use and avoid potential erectile dysfunction:
Use Steroids Properly: Only take steroids when prescribed by a health care provider. Abuse or abuse of anabolic steroids predisposes one to ED, among other conditions.
Check Levels of Hormones: Getting regular blood tests will give you a chance to observe the levels of testosterone and estrogen in your body so that you can address the imbalance in time.
Post-Cycle Therapy (PCT): Post-cycle therapy helps your body regain its natural production of testosterone after completing a steroid cycle. This can, therefore, reduce the possibility of long-term ED.
Reduce the Steroid Usage Period: The chances of ED are very high if one uses steroids for a long time. Reducing the number of cycles and giving rest to the body may reduce the chances of this risk.
Consult a Healthcare Professional: In case the symptoms of ED persist, consult a healthcare professional; they are better placed to advise treatments that help alleviate symptoms and regain hormone balances.
Is Steroid Induced Erectile Dysfunction Reversible?
This probably is the biggest question the male steroid user has for himself: is ED by anabolic steroids reversible? While largely dependent on how long they use the steroids and their overall degree, it is well understood that when a person quits steroids, it is almost a guarantee that the body will likely return to producing normal amounts of testosterone, and sexual function will return to normal. While this takes a number of weeks, sometimes even months, damage to the patient may not be repairable.
Some men can benefit from treatments for ED, such as PDE5 inhibitors, such as Sildenafil or Tadalafil, which can improve blood flow and help you to perform better sexually. Talk to your doctor about the appropriate treatment course for your specific case.
Treatment of Steroid-Induced ED
If you have developed erectile dysfunction due to taking anabolic steroids, then there is also treatment. You might be prescribed hormone replacement therapy by a doctor who feels that your testosterone is below normal. In some people, this can reverse or improve sexual function, and even the symptoms of ED may begin to go away.
Apart from this, there are drugs like Sildenafil and Tadalafil that could be prescribed when ED appears to be connected with vascular diseases. Such drugs stimulate the blood flow in the reproductive system, so a man easily achieves an erection and maintains it.
Effective Treatment of Steroid-Induced ED at Direct Preventive Care
Though steroids bring massive benefits in the building of muscles and athletes’ performance, they carry serious threats. Do steroids cause erectile dysfunction? Anabolic steroids may have effects on sexual health if they have been used or are in use. Steroid-induced ED is caused by hormonal imbalance due to synthetic testosterone, which raises estrogen. Even though it can be temporary, continuous abuse of steroids leads to a permanent condition of sexual dysfunction.
We are aware that men have issues regarding steroid-induced ED. Thus, we offer simple remedies to overcome and eventually treat the condition. Direct Preventive Care uses FDA-approved drugs such as Sildenafil and Tadalafil, which can be accessed through an online prescription. Our fully online consultation will enable you to see a healthcare provider, most often within 24 hours from when you have requested to talk to someone, and with our affordable generic ED medications, save up to 95% of the traditional cost. If you are experiencing symptoms of ED, then check out our effective treatments for better health and intimate life.
