In the United States, it is against the law to use anabolic steroids without a prescription. Androstenedione, or "andro," is a kind of anabolic steroid taken by athletes who want to build muscle. It is now a controlled substance because of suspected health risks and available only by prescription.
There is little or no evidence that it has any significant anabolic effects. Some professional baseball players, cyclists, and track stars have been accused of — and in some cases have admitted to — using steroids to give them an edge competitively. Steroid use has trickled down to younger athletes too, who face pressure to be stronger and faster, and to make it to college and professional leagues.
Steroids promise bold results, but there is little proof that they deliver any such benefits. But they can harm developing kids — with some of these ill effects not likely to turn up until years later. Anabolic steroids are drugs that resemble the chemical structure of the sex hormone testosterone , which is made naturally by the body. Testosterone directs the body to make or enhance male characteristics, such as increased muscle mass, facial hair growth, and deepening of the voice, and is an important part of male development during puberty.
When anabolic steroids increase the levels of testosterone in the blood, they stimulate muscle tissue in the body to grow larger and stronger. Performance-enhancing drugs: Know the risks Hoping to gain a competitive edge by taking performance-enhancing drugs? By Mayo Clinic Staff. Thank you for Subscribing Our Housecall e-newsletter will keep you up-to-date on the latest health information. Please try again. Something went wrong on our side, please try again. Show references Madden CC, et al.
Drugs and doping in athletes. In: Netter's Sports Medicine. Philadelphia, Pa. Accessed Oct. Snyder PJ. Use of androgens and other hormones by athletes. Effects of performance-enhancing drugs. Anti-Doping Agency. Santos GH, et al.
The risk environment of anabolic-androgenic steroid users in the UK: Examining motivations, practices and accounts of use. International Journal of Drug Policy. Fleisher LA, et al. In: Essence of Anesthesia Practice. La Gerche A, et al. Drugs in sport — A change is needed, but what? Heart, Lung, and Circulation. Boardley ID, et al. Nutritional, medicinal, and performance enhancing supplementation in dance. Baron D, et al. Prohibited non-hormonal performance-enhancing drugs in sport. Robinson D.
Permitted non-hormonal performance-enhancing substances. Madden CC, et al. Sports supplements. See also Why is BVO in my drink? Steroids are also believed to reduce recovery time between workouts, which makes it possible to train harder and thereby further improve strength and endurance. Some people who are not athletes also take steroids to increase their endurance, muscle size and strength, and reduce body fat which they believe improves personal appearance.
Doctors may prescribe steroids to patients for legitimate medical purposes such as loss of function of testicles, breast cancer, low red blood cell count, delayed puberty and debilitated states resulting from surgery or sickness. Veterinarians administer steroids to animals e. They are also used in veterinary practice to treat anemia and counteract tissue breakdown during illness and trauma.
For purposes of illegal use there are several sources; the most common illegal source is from smuggling steroids into the United States from other countries such as Mexico and European countries.
Smuggling from these areas is easier because a prescription is not required for the purchase of steroids. Less often steroids found in the illicit market are diverted from legitimate sources e. Anabolic steroids dispensed for legitimate medical purposes are administered several ways including intramuscular or subcutaneous injection, by mouth, pellet implantation under the skin and by application to the skin e. These same routes are used for purposes of abusing steroids, with injection and oral administration being the most common.
People abusing steroids may take anywhere from 1 to upwards of a times normal therapeutic doses of anabolic steroids. This often includes taking two or more steroids concurrently, a practice called "stacking. This practice is called "cycling. Doses of anabolic steroids used will depend on the particular objectives of the steroid user.
Athletes middle or high school, college, professional, and Olympic usually take steroids for a limited period of time to achieve a particular goal. Others such as bodybuilders, law enforcement officers, fitness buffs, and body guards usually take steroids for extended periods of time. The length of time that steroids stay in the body varies from a couple of days to more than 12 months. Contact a health care provider if you have questions about your health. Anabolic Steroids Also called: Anabolic-androgenic steroids, Performance-enhancing drugs.
What are anabolic steroids? What are anabolic steroids used for? Why do people misuse anabolic steroids? What are the health effects of misusing anabolic steroids?
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