Anabolic steroids are synthetic substances related to the male sex hormones. They promote skeletal muscle growth (anabolic effects) and development of male sexual characteristics (androgenic effects). The proper term for these compounds is “anabolic-androgenic steroids.”
Anabolic steroids were developed in the late 1930s primarily to treat hypogonadism. The primary medical use is to treat delayed puberty, some types of impotence, and wasting of the body caused by HIV infection or other diseases.
At that same time, scientists discovered that anabolic steroids could facilitate the growth of skeletal muscle in laboratory animals. This finding led to its first being used by bodybuilders and weightlifters, and then by athletes in other sports. Resulting in athletics illegal drug of choice by some athletes
The main reasons people give for using steroids is to improve their athletic performance. Another is to increase their muscle size or to reduce their body fat. All this desired enhancement use is contrary to law (illicit) and potentially contrary to health.
Most illicit (illegal) steroids are sold at gyms, competitions, and through mail order operations. They are smuggled in from countries that do not require a prescription, illegally diverted pharmacies or synthesized in clandestine laboratories.
Prior to 2004, supplements such as THG and “Andro” could be purchased legally without a prescription. The purchase of these supplements, with the exception of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), are now illegal after the passage of amendments to the Controlled Substances Act.
These steroidal supplements can convert to testosterone or a similar compound in the body. Less is known about the side effects of steroidal supplements, but if large quantities of these compounds substantially increase testosterone levels in the body, then they also are likely to produce the same side effects as anabolic steroids themselves.
Steroid abuse has become so widespread in athletics that it can affect the outcome of sports contests. It is estimated that anabolic steroid abuse among athletes may range between one and six percent.
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