Can performance-enhancing substitutes have an effect on a healthy male organ? That's a topic that many men have strong feelings about. With these substitutes in the news frequently in regard to their use in professional sports and among muscle-building enthusiasts, it's a good idea to look at the facts. After all, when talking about factors that can impact male organ health, it benefits a guy to have good information.

What are they?

The substances known as performance-enhancing substitutes are a category of synthetic medical compounds. The substances in this category are created to mimic male hormones and were developed as a means of helping boys suffering from late pubertal development, as well as helping patients with physically debilitating diseases (such as cancer or immune deficiency diseases) increase their available muscle. Used appropriately, they can have a positive impact on patients and their quality of life.

Unfortunately, these substances are not always used appropriately. Sports figures and bodybuilders who use these substances merely to "bulk up," rather than for legitimate medical uses, run the risk of harming both their general health and their male organ health.

How do they work?

When a person is weight lifting or engaging in similar muscle-building exercises, the activity causes microscopic tears in muscle tissue. When the tear heals, aided by androgen, it adds a tiny bit more mass. Over time, this mass builds up, creating the larger, toned musculature that bodybuilders and athletes desire.

All of this is a natural process, but it takes a considerable amount of time. Using a performance-enhancing substitute speeds up the process considerably, which is why these substances are so attractive to those seeking a more muscular body.

These synthetic materials may also be used by men for reasons other than "bulking up" fast. For example, because these materials mimic androgen, and because androgen plays a role in the development of the male organ during puberty, some men may use these substitutes in the hope that it can increase the size of their male organes.

What's the problem?

Use of substances such as this is not allowed in professional sports, as it is thought that this gives the user an unfair advantage over competitors. However, a more pressing concern is the effect that abuse of these materials can have on a man's health.

All medications carry with them some risk of side effects, even when properly prescribed and administered. Performance-enhancing substances are no different, and the fact that they are often administered in levels far above what is considered medically appropriate raises the chance that complications will occur.

Side effects

In terms of overall health, side effects that are commonly associated with these substitutes include (but are not limited to):

• Jaundice
• Liver disease (including an increased risk of liver cancer)
• Decreased glucose tolerance
• High blood pressure
• Increased overall cholesterol; decreased "good" cholesterol
• Thyroid issues
• Hair loss
• Increased aggression

What about the male organ?

In men over the age of 21, these substances are not believed to affect the size of the male organ; after puberty, androgen has no more effect on the development of the organ. However, there is evidence that these substances can potentially have a negative impact on male organ size if improperly used during puberty.

Use of performance-enhancing substances does cause male organ shrinkage; in some cases, this is reversed upon stopping use of the substances. Long-term use may have an impact on fertility. Although use does increase desire, prolonged use is also associated with the development of reproductive issues.

Improper use of any medication is dangerous; men wishing to maintain a healthy male organ should avoid performance-enhancing substitutes except in cases in which it is prescribed by a knowledgeable medical professional. Reversing damage to the male organ is difficult, so men should take all steps to insure their tools are kept in excellent overall health; using a superior male organ health cream (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil) should be part of every man's male organ health routine. Especially valuable are those creams that include L-arginine, an ingredient that supports development of nitric oxide and the accompanying health of male organ blood vessels. Also key in any cream: acetyl L carnitine, which plays a role in managing peripheral nerve damage due to rough or overaggressive intimate contact.