Know the Facts.
Anabolic steroids are dangerous drugs, and when used inappropriately they can cause a host of severe, long lasting, and often irreversible negative health consequences.

Anabolic steroids are a group of powerful compounds closely related to the male sex hormone testosterone.

Current legitimate medical uses include treatment of certain kinds of anemia or conditions such as body-wasting in patients with AIDS.

Body builders, long-distance runners, cyclists, and various other athletes who use anabolic steroids claim that the drug gives them a competitive edge and improves their appearance.
Athletes who use this drug are usually acquiring it illegally and without any monitoring from a health professional.

Steroids come in tablets or liquid form and are taken orally or injected. Athletes and other abusers take them typically in cycles of weeks or months rather than continuously.

This pattern is called "cycling" and it involves taking multiple doses of steroids over a specific period of time, stopping for a period, and starting again.

Immediate Effects
Reports indicate that use of anabolic steroids increases lean muscle mass and enhances strength and athletic performance.

The health hazards associated with short-term use of anabolic steroids are usually reversible. It is the long-term effects that are dangerous.

Long-Term Effects Effects
The serious effects of anabolic steroid use occur over the long term.

Liver tumors, jaundice, fluid retention, kidney damage, and high blood pressure can seriously threaten the user's long-term health.

Other adverse effects include the following:
ADOLESCENTS: Stunted growth and the premature cessation of the growth cycle.

MEN: Acne, baldness, breast development, cysts, shrinking of the testicles, sterility, reduced sex drive, headaches, nausea, and dizziness.

WOMEN: Infertility, clitoral enlargement, breast atrophy, menstrual irregularities, and voice change.

Researchers report that users may suffer from paranoid jealousy, extreme irritability, delusions, and impaired judgment stemming from feelings of invincibility.

Long term effects of very high doses of steroids are not yet known.


References:
NIDA - National Institute of Drug Abuse

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