Fitness influencer Larry Wheels recently opened up about the lesser-known side effects of roid use during a recent appearance on the Full Send Podcast.
When discussing the typical side effects associated with PEDs, Wheels explained that while most people focus on issues like acne, roid rage, and testicular atrophy, the real struggle lies elsewhere.
“When people talk about side effects of st**oids, you usually talk about like acne, roid rage, making your balls smaller, stuff like that. But really the worst of it is your libido like getting out of control,” he stated. “Whereas like you get these obsessive s*xual thoughts that like can’t get turned off and it’s very uncomfortable.”
The bodybuilder and powerlifter, who has been open about his PED use throughout his career, described how the mental aspect becomes particularly problematic.
“If you ever like succumb to it, now you just go on like this being like p*rn spree and obviously like things escalate and then like you can’t just can’t scratch that itch, cuz it becomes a real problem,” Wheels explained.
This heightened libido issue led Wheels to discuss his past struggles with behavioral patterns that became difficult to control. When asked by the podcast hosts if testosterone increases these tendencies, he confirmed the connection.
The 300-pound (136 kg) athlete revealed he has since taken steps to avoid triggers, including unfollowing certain accounts on social media and hiding content that might prompt unwanted thoughts.
Wheels emphasized that managing this side effect requires redirecting that energy appropriately. “The right approach is like just channeling that s*xual energy into like a person like your partner, you know,” he said. “That’s the best way to do it cuz you can’t shut that off, right? Like you’re always going to have that s*xual desire.”
The fitness personality, who has been making content since age 17 and recently transitioned into live broadcasting, stressed that this particular side effect is rarely discussed in fitness communities despite being more challenging than the physical manifestations typically associated with roid use.
