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    Questions about drug use, for adolescents and their parents.

    5. Info on body building steroids - Top

    Tips for Teens
    About Steroids

    Anabolic ("building")-androgenic (masculinizing) steroids, commonly known as steroids, include the male hormone testosterone, and its artificial derivatives. Steroids are used for treatment of certain diseases such as specific types of anemia, some breast cancers, and testosterone deficiency. Non-medical use of steroids is strictly illegal. However, because of their performance-enhancing and body-building properties, steroids have been illegally used by both athletes and nonathletes since the late 1950s to improve their athletic ability and to look better.

    Steroids are taken orally or injected into the muscles. Both males and females use steroids, though males account for higher rates of use.

    According to a recent study, adolescent steroid users also are likely to use other drugs and to share needles. People who inject steroids run the risk of acquiring HIV/AIDS from sharing needles.

    Steroids are not all they're stacked up to be!


    Side Effects
    Numerous health hazards are associated with short-term use of steroids, many of which are reversible. Long-term effects are largely unknown, but there is growing concern over possible psychiatric effects. Researchers report that steroid use can cause severe mood swings which can lead to violent behaviors. Users also may suffer from paranoid jealously, extreme irritability, delusions, and impaired judgment stemming from feelings of invincibility. Fatalities due to suicides, homicides, liver disease, heart attacks, and cancer have been reported among illicit users. Further, because the true quality of "off the street" steroids is not known, users place themselves at even greater risk for harm if they choose to use these.

    Major side effects include:

    Liver tumors
    Jaundice
    Fluid retention
    High blood pressure
    Severe acne
    Yellowing of skin and eyes
    Trembling
    Weakening of tendons which may result in tearing or rupture



    - Updated: March 10, 2001

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    • James L Horwitz, MD

    David C. Thomas, MD

    Barbara Lindberg, PNP