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Anabolic Steroids
Reviewed by Medicinsk Expert•Last updated: 2026-10-22•Substance Use Disorders

Anabolic Steroids

Anabolic steroids are synthetic versions of testosterone used for specific medical conditions, though their misuse for performance enhancement carries significant health risks.

What are anabolic steroids?

Anabolic steroids are synthetic (man-made) versions of testosterone. Testosterone is the main sex hormone in men. It is needed to develop and maintain male sex characteristics, such as facial hair, deep voice, and muscle growth. Women do have some testosterone in their bodies, but in much smaller amounts.

What are anabolic steroids used for?

Health care providers use anabolic steroids to treat some hormone problems in men, delayed puberty, and muscle loss from some diseases. But some people misuse anabolic steroids by taking them in a way that's different than their provider prescribed.

Why do people misuse anabolic steroids?

Some bodybuilders and athletes use anabolic steroids to build muscles and improve athletic performance. They may take steroids by swallowing tablets or capsules, inject them into muscles, or apply them to the skin as a gel or cream. These doses may be 10 to 100 times higher than doses used to treat medical conditions. Using them this way, without a prescription from a provider, is not legal or safe.

What are the health effects of misusing anabolic steroids?

Misuse of anabolic steroids, especially over a long period of time, has been linked with many health problems, including:

  • Acne
  • Stunted growth in teens
  • High blood pressure
  • Changes in cholesterol
  • Heart problems, including heart attack
  • Liver disease, including cancer
  • Kidney damage
  • Mood changes such as irritability and aggressive behavior

In men, it can also cause:

  • Baldness
  • Breast growth
  • Low sperm count/infertility
  • Shrinking of the testicles
  • Testicular cancer

In women, it can also cause:

  • Changes in your menstrual cycle (period)
  • Growth of body and facial hair
  • Male-pattern baldness
  • Voice deepening
  • Decreased breast size

Are anabolic steroids addictive?

Even though they don't cause a high, anabolic steroids can lead to addiction. You can have withdrawal symptoms if you stop using them, including:

  • Fatigue
  • Restlessness
  • Loss of appetite
  • Sleep problems
  • Decreased sex drive
  • Steroid cravings
  • Depression, which can sometimes be serious and even lead to suicide attempts

Behavioral therapy and medicines can be helpful in treating anabolic steroid addiction.

Frequently Asked Questions

balanced diet rich in protein, regular resistance training, adequate sleep, and legal supplements such as whey protein, creatine, or branched‑chain amino acids can support muscle growth without the health risks associated with anabolic steroids. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any new supplement regimen.
Users often experience acne, mood swings or irritability, increased blood pressure, and changes in cholesterol levels. These effects can appear within days to weeks of starting or increasing a dose.
Chronic use can lead to persistent hypertension, unfavorable shifts in LDL/HDL cholesterol, and structural changes in the heart muscle, all of which raise the risk of heart attack, stroke, and other cardiovascular events.
Yes. Long‑term misuse can suppress natural testosterone production, shrink the testicles, reduce sperm count, and impair sperm motility, leading to decreased fertility or infertility.
Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine

MedlinePlus brings together authoritative health information from the National Library of Medicine (NLM), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other government agencies and health-related organizations.

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