Anabolic Steroids / Performance Enhancing Drugs
Anabolic steroids are synthetic derivatives of the male sex hormone testosterone. Healthcare providers may use anabolic steroids to treat: hormone disorders in men; delayed puberty; and muscle loss from certain illnesses.
Some athletes, bodybuilders, and others misuse anabolic misuse enhance athletic performance or improve appearance by building muscle mass. The doses taken for these purposes are significantly higher than those prescribed for medical conditions. The non-medical use of anabolic steroids is not only illegal but also poses serious health risks.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse states that anabolic steroids can result in serious, long-term, and sometimes irreversible damage. Their use may increase the risk of early heart attacks, strokes, liver tumors, kidney failure, and mental health issues.
Fact Sheets
Research & Statistics
- PubMed
PubMed comprises more than 20 million citations for biomedical literature from MEDLINE, life science journals, and online books. Citations may include links to full-text content from PubMed Central and publisher web sites.
- Research Data, Measures & Resources - NIDA
Links to various NIDA publications, databases, surveillance, prevention & treatment resources, and more.