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- $Unique_ID{BRK01124}
- $Pretitle{}
- $Title{Is it True That Steroids Can Destroy a Man's Ability to Father a Child?}
- $Subject{steroid steroids muscles muscle building hazards Community Social
- fertile fertility infertile infertility sterile sterility hormone hormones
- sperm count hair loss baldness acne mood moods aggressive irritable
- cholesterol imbalance liver tumors hepatitis}
- $Volume{Q-23, K-22}
- $Log{}
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- Copyright (c) 1991-92,1993 Tribune Media Services, Inc.
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- Is it True That Steroids Can Destroy a Man's Ability to Father a Child?
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- QUESTION: Please answer this question, your answer may have the power to save
- a marriage! When I married my gorgeous hunk of a man, I never suspected that
- some of the bulges were the artificial result of steroids. I have come to
- love the man not the muscles, and want a baby to complete our family.
- However, we have been unsuccessful, and the doctor suspects it's the
- medications. Is it true that muscle building hormones can destroy a man's
- ability to father a child? Help me with an answer I can show my husband.
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- ANSWER: I think the most powerful part of this response are your own words in
- the question. Now that you love the man instead of the beef, perhaps when he
- sees your sentiments in print, the muscles will be just a bit less important.
- But the frightening facts are that among the many unwanted and dangerous side
- effects of anabolic steroids (the kind of "hormones" that build muscle) are
- several that have a direct bearing on a man's fertility factors. The use of
- these steroids can not only diminish the number of sperm to the point of
- nonexistent, it can provoke abnormal forms as well. The sperm that are
- produced are less active than normal, and the ability to father a child is
- severely affected. In addition to reproductive difficulties, steroids can
- cause hair loss and baldness, acne, and provoke severe alterations in mood and
- temperament. Athletes on steroids are aggressive and irritable, perhaps an
- advantage on the field of competition, but definitely a handicap in marital
- situations. Besides cholesterol imbalance, liver tumors and hepatitis have
- been associated with the use of these chemicals. Unless your husband's
- livelihood is dependent upon an overdeveloped body, it is hard to imagine a
- reason for the misuse of these steroids. The good news is that the effects on
- sperm production and their activity seem to be reversible, and a return to
- normal can be expected when the drug use is discontinued. It may be the time
- for your husband to take a good look at his priorities, and look to the
- future. A visit to you physician may also help, for I am sure he can provide
- you with more information that may deal more specifically with your individual
- problems.
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- The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
- the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your
- doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
- problem.
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