No one who passes by Karimugal, on the Kochi suburb, will miss flex boards of gyms and bodybuilding.

The land abounds in fitness freaks and professional bodybuilders. Every teenager there grows up, dreaming of building super strong muscles and being Mr India.

But, in many cases, dreams have run a wild course. And in this, aspiring body builders and wannabe athletes, who fail dope tests, are on the same side-steroid use.

Nearly four years ago, three teen fitness nuts from Karimugal injected steroids, usually used for increasing broiler chicken body mass. But on humans, the steroids wreaked havoc.

Victims’ neck skin drooped, which almost resembled mumps, while chests enlarged owing to the presence of oestrogen hormone. They are yet to recover from the steroidal mischief and may have to live with the scars for the rest of their lives.

The Karimugal incident is not isolated. Many have fallen victims to steroid side-effects. Body fitness and muscle building are the latest fad among Malayali youth. Gymnasiums proliferate as also joints that sell steroids.

Two types of steroids are available in the Kerala market –legal steroids and the illegal.

“Legal steroids are costly, have average effect and little side-effect. These are brought from the US and Europe. Certified fitness trainers have the right to keep a certain number of legal steroids and syringes. But only top professional bodybuilders and Richie Rich fitness aspirants go for legal steroids as they are expensive,” says a fitness expert.

Dangerously illegal steroids are supplied from Bengaluru, Chennai and Coimbatore. These veterinary steroids, normally used for racehorses and bulls, leave major side-effects, medical experts say.
Men, who inject veterinary steroids, may develop female characteristics and women vice versa, owing to the presence of oestrogen and testosterone hormones.

Illegal steroids also cause cardiac problems, liver diseases, breathing difficulty and even death.
Legal steroids are four-fold costlier, leaving the poor to settle for the veterinary brands. While in the US, bodybuilders fetch millions in competitions, even the prize money for Mr India champion is in poor thousands.

Most users, especially novices, get their dosage fixed by sellers or friends who take the drugs. Many steroids available in black are of dubious quality and have severe side-effects.

Fitness trainers have access to both legal and illegal steroids, but only a few have the licence to keep steroids. These steroids are supplied secretly via courier services from neighbouring districts, even though cops keep vigil on the steroid abuse.

The police claims to have succeeded in curbing steroid abuse in the State. However, trends show that illegal drugs, including veterinary steroids, are abundant.

Going by this trend, Kerala may see the next generation with chronic diseases, including cardiac problems and shortened life expectancy; some of the men with bulgy chests and women with hair overgrowth.

Steroids, now must for oarsmen too

Steroids are used not only by athletes and bodybuilders but by oarsmen and tug o’ war competitors, who want to pack a fair punch.

Most oarsmen come to Kochi just before major boat races to inject steroids, say fitness industry sources. “An oarsman’s job is not easy. He may perform without steroids if the tourney has only one race. However, these people participate in as many as seven or eight heats in a single event. That’s why they approach us for steroids,” says an industry source.

Kochi being the city where steroids are sold the most, oarsmen from Kottayam and Alappuzha throng the city for cheap veterinary steroids; they also give instant effect.

Race officials are yet to introduce dope tests, which help oarsmen get away with steroid use. Tug o’ war competitors prefer steroids to stay strong and win.

How steroids affect you?

Physiological effects: Accelerated baldness, Elevation of cholesterol, Acne, Damage to testicles, Decreased sperm production, Decreased testosterone levels, Breast enlargement in men, High blood pressure, Liver tumors, Liver dysfunction

Psychological effects: Irritability, Depression, Mood swings, Addiction, Mania, Psychosis, Excessive aggressiveness

* Most users, especially novices, get their dosage fixed by sellers or friends who take the drugs.