Even if they don’t have breakouts, their skin will probably appear more oily or greasy. You might also notice that their hair is greasy because they have an oilier scalp.
This can give rise to the “yoked” effect—where the person’s neck and shoulder muscles are so outsized that they look like they’re wearing a yoke. A person on steroids will also tend to have more significant upper body gains than lower body gains—think a guy who looks like he skipped all the leg days.
Because of this, it might seem like someone on steroids spends all of their time in the gym. Someone motivated to take steroids is likely pretty obsessed with gains, so they’ll prioritize that over anything—and steroids give them the energy to do it.
They might also have stretch marks on their skin. This indicates that they built muscle faster than their skin could cope. Stretch marks are especially likely on their upper body, arms, and shoulders. [6] X Research source
Winter is a good time to watch for this. Most people naturally gain a little body fat during the cold months. If this person doesn’t, and yet continues to build muscle, they might be getting that boost from steroids.
Gynecomastia: the growth of breast tissue in men Testicle and penis shrinkage Baldness Reduced sperm count Erectile dysfunction Erectile dysfunction can often be a taboo and a private topic for men. But if they know that this issue is quite common and could be due to anxiety, they may be inclined to seek help. [10] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source Seeking help can reduce its occurrence. [11] X Trustworthy Source FamilyDoctor. org Family-focused medical advice site run by the American Academy of Family Doctors Go to source
Shrunken breasts Deepened voice Facial and body hair growth Irregular menstrual cycle or loss of periods Abnormal clitoral growth
The low body fat percentage is also what causes the extremely veiny skin stereotypically associated with steroid use, particularly in bodybuilders. You might not be able to get the exact figures you need to calculate FFMI for someone you know, but you could make an educated guess. If you’re looking at a celebrity athlete, the figures you need will usually be publicly available.
Since most people taking steroids will deny it if you ask them outright, simply asking for information is a good way to determine how much they know. For example, you might compliment them on their physique or their energy level, then say something like, “I’d like to know what I can do to get your gains. " You might also mention that someone else has recommended something and ask their opinion on it: “Dave told me I should be taking HGH, what do you think?”
There are so many other factors potentially involved with mood swings. If someone’s sudden mood swings are the only thing you’ve noticed, talk to them about their mood swings specifically rather than bringing up steroid use. Abuse of anabolic steroids is also strongly correlated with anxiety, depression, and suicide. [16] X Research source
