Bollywood superstars Shah Rukh Khan and Hrithik Roshan may take pride in flaunting their muscle-toned bodies, but doctors warn youngsters using steroids to realise their 'six-pack' dream, that it may lead to mental and physical disorders.
Experts warn that various steroid-based supplements, which are easily available in the markets with attractive tags and offers, could cause physical and psychological side-effects such as impotency, shrunken testis, cardiovascular and liver disorders, and male breast enlargement (Gynaecomastia).
Steroids faked as 'health- boosters' are flooding markets with many products even carrying tags like '100 per cent Ayurvedic' and 'Herbal'.
"Youngsters are looking for quick ways to make their six-pack dream a reality. They are taking anabolic steroids which can adversely affect fertility," says Shivani Sachdev Gour, a consultant fertility specialist.
"Use of these steroids stimulates unrestrained secretion of testosterone which leads to bulging muscles but ultimately results into exhausted sexual functioning and suppressing the work of other vital organs," she adds.
According to a survey conducted in Britain, over 80 per cent of active steroids users had sperm counts that were below 20 million, the lower limit of sperm count set by the World Health Organisation, while 20 per cent were azoospermic, with no sperm at all.
Samir Parikh, a psychiatrist with Max Hospital, says that such drugs cause several psychological disorders like sleeplessness, mood swings, depression, change in food habits, sudden fits of anger and aggression.
Advising not to use steroids without medical supervision, Parikh says, "Many patients using steroids are suffering from psychological side effects."
"The six-packs abs look is on demand these days. A large number of clients coming to our gym are asking for it. The charm is even not sparing women, who have outnumbered men seeking a well-toned bodies," T M Rajeeb, who runs a chain of gyms, said.
Of late, the manufacturers of these supplements have started luring large number of net-savvy youth by expanding their business on websites, offering steroid products with lucrative discounts, home delivery and a promise of money back if the desired results are not achieved.
Besides, several chemical-based drugs are also becoming popular for muscle toning. Some trade names used in India are Dianabol, Decadurabolin, Sustanon, which are available as tablets, injections and also in forms of creams and gels.
"Consumption of steroids is not hazard free even if under supervision of the gym instructor. In fact, there is no way to avoid these complications. And it is better to avoid steroids completely," Sachdev sums up.