What are Anabolic Steroids?

Anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) are performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) designed to mimic the effects of the male hormone testosterone. They act on the body in two ways:

• The anabolic effect stimulates muscle growth and accelerates recovery from injury.

• The androgenic effect contributes to the development of typically male traits, such as a deepening voice and facial hair.

Understanding the Science behind steroids and muscle growth​ helps explain why they have become popular among athletes and bodybuilders. AAS were originally developed to treat hormonal disorders and, more recently, have been used to treat muscle loss caused by diseases such as cancer, severe burns, and AIDS.

Thanks to their ability to enhance muscle growth and performance, the non-medical use of AAS has become popular among athletes. Over time, their use has expanded beyond athletics, influenced in part by societal expectations regarding body ideals.

How Do Anabolic Steroids Work?

The science behind steroids and muscle growth is rooted in how they amplify the natural effects of testosterone in the body. Anabolic steroids are synthetic derivatives of testosterone, a hormone responsible for muscle growth (anabolic effect) and the development of male sexual characteristics (androgenic effect).

Here’s how they work:

• During weight training, tiny micro-tears form in muscle fibers. Testosterone stimulates the repair and growth of these fibers. Anabolic steroids exaggerate this process, leading to faster gains.

• They stimulate growth hormone (GH) production, which increases IGF-1 levels. IGF-1 plays a key role in muscle, bone, and cartilage growth.

• They inhibit cortisol’s muscle-breaking effect, creating a stronger anabolic environment.

• They improve oxygen uptake and cardiac output, enhancing endurance and recovery.

• They may increase aggression, which can indirectly improve training intensity.

This combination of effects explains why athletes often turn to anabolic steroids to achieve faster results.

Types of Anabolic Steroids

There are two main types of anabolic steroids:

• 17-alpha-alkylated derivatives

• 17-beta-ester derivatives

Different steroids are chosen for different goals, whether to:

• Increase muscle mass

• Improve strength and endurance

• Accelerate fat loss

• Enhance recovery

Anyone studying the science behind steroids and muscle growth will find that these categories vary in potency, side effect risk, and method of administration.

Medical Uses of Anabolic Steroids

Healthcare professionals use certain types of steroids as part of medical treatments. For example, corticosteroids can help people with asthma breathe by reducing airway inflammation.

Anabolic steroids (AAS) are not a common treatment. However, doctors may prescribe testosterone for the following conditions:

• Hypogonadism (testosterone deficiency)
• Delayed puberty
• Klinefelter syndrome (a person has two or more X chromosomes and one Y chromosome)

In the United States, anabolic steroids (AAS) are Schedule III controlled substances (trusted source) and are available by prescription only. Their use is legal only with a doctor's prescription.

Side Effects of Anabolic Steroids

The side effects of AAS depend on the product, the individual's age and gender, as well as the amount and duration of use.

Legally prescribed anabolic steroids at normal doses can cause the following side effects (reliable source):

• Acne and blisters
• Difficulty or pain when urinating
• Gynecomastia (breast enlargement)
• Decreased HDL (good) cholesterol and increased LDL (bad) cholesterol
• Low sperm count and infertility
• Changes in libido
• Gingivitis and oral irritation
• Mood disturbances

Regular follow-up appointments and blood tests will be performed to detect possible side effects.

Frequently Asked Questions About Anabolic Steroids

What are anabolic steroids primarily used for?

In the United States, between 3 and 4 million people use anabolic steroids without a prescription for non-medical purposes. These are the most common appearance and performance enhancing drugs (AEDs).

Are anabolic steroids safe?

Doctors prescribe anabolic steroids to promote the development of skeletal muscle and male sexual characteristics in conditions such as low testosterone levels (male hypogonadism), certain cancers, or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).

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