Anabolic steroids comprise one group of hormonal drugs that are known as ergogenic or so-called "performance-enhancing" drugs. Anabolic steroids are designed to mimic the body building traits of testosterone while minimizing its masculinizing effects. In certain cases, some anabolic steroids have therapeutic value. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the use of selected anabolic steroids for treating specific types of anemia, some breast cancers, osteoporosis, endometriosis, and hereditary angioedema, a rare disease causing swelling of some of the body parts. However, steroids have commonly been used and abused by athletes and non-athletes for their body-enhancing abilities.

What are the Primary Effects of Anabolic Steroids? Testosterone-based steroids have two primary effects on the human body. The first is an androgenic effect, meaning a promotion of masculinizing changes in the body (i.e. body hair, body size, and genital changes). The second effect is anabolic, meaning the promotion of protein growth and muscular development. The goal of most steroid medications is to promote more anabolic effects and minimize androgenic effects, thus the term anabolic steroids.

The Health Effects of Steroids

Anabolic steroids disrupt the delicate balance of hormones in men. The use of anabolic steroids causes the testes gland to react to the increases in testosterone levels in the blood by producing less testosterone on its own. The testes gland gets an incorrect message that it is no longer needed (because of the disruption in the chemical balance). As a result, the testicles shrink and less sperm are produced which may lead to sterility. Because steroids eventually break down into estradiol (a female sex hormone), a male's breasts will enlarge.

Other consequences for men may include:

• frequent, sustained and painful erections (priapism)
• impotence
• painful urination
• enlargement of the prostate gland
• severe acne (especially on back and upper arms)
• changes in hair growth patterns (facial hair growth is increased and balding on the head is accelerated)

Other Health Risks:

• Increased risk of liver tumors
• The research is unclear about the potential for increased risk of high blood pressure, high cholesterol and heart abnormalities.
• "Roid rage" or increased aggressiveness is commonly reported.
• If needles are shared, there is a significant risk of contracting Hepatitis or HIV.