The quest for a particular type of achievement such as having big muscles, has led to the widespread abuse of steroids. Steroids are manmade substances and they help to increase testosterone production.

Much has been mentioned about the effects steroids have on the body. When taken in high amounts, steroids cause the testosterone level to fluctuate and this can lead to a number of sexual dysfunctions including erectile dysfunction. This is so because the body produces hormones similar to steroids in the reproductive organ of a man.

When steroids are used it tends to cause the body to stop producing the hormones and this will lead, in some men, to a temporary if not full loss of the ability to have and keep an erection.

Steroids are believed to have some degree of effect on sexual functioning and cause erectile dysfunction because:

As a man ages there is a reduction in the level of serum testosterone and this occurs mainly during the ages that erectile dysfunction is likely to occur.

When men who have no sex drive and no erections are treated with steroids under a doctor's supervision they usually regain most of their sexual functions.

Other evidence points to the fact that, when men have hypogonadism, there is a decrease in how often they have erections and the firmness of their erections.

There is also a reduction in the length of the penis when erect. When steroids are used for over a long period of time and in high doses this tends to cause hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism.

The length of time, the dosage, and the makeup of the steroid are key elements in the level of serum of hormones that stimulate the gonads present in the body. A slight reduction in the levels of gonadotropins can lead to erectile dysfunction.

When using steroids, there are a number of side effects that do great damage to the body. Steroids have the ability to seriously damage the body's organs including the reproductive organs.

Steroids can also cause high blood pressure when it is abused or used for too long a time. When this occurs men who use steroids are going to be at risk for erectile dysfunction since high blood pressure is a known cause. If steroids are used for a prolonged period then the high blood pressure can also lead to a stroke.

The longer the time a man uses steroids then the longer the relationship with erectile dysfunction will persist. Other factors will also help to determine the effects of steroid use and the occurrence of erectile dysfunction because of it. These factors include the man's body type, his age, and his overall health.

The side effects that are associated with using steroids make them an unattractive option for many men yet there are still others who are willing to take the risk.