Beginners Anabolic Steroid Use in Sports Abuse continues despite health risks to athletes By Elizabeth Quinn, MS Elizabeth Quinn, MS Elizabeth Quinn is an exercise physiologist, sports medicine writer, and fitness consultant for corporate wellness and rehabilitation clinics. Learn about our editorial process Updated on July 26, 2020 Fact checked Verywell Fit content is rigorously reviewed by a team of qualified and experienced fact checkers. Fact checkers review articles for factual accuracy, relevance, and timeliness. We rely on the most current and reputable sources, which are cited in the text and listed at the bottom of each article. Content is fact checked after it has been edited and before publication. Learn more. by Cara Lustik Fact checked by Cara Lustik LinkedIn Cara Lustik is a fact-checker and copywriter with more than 15 years of experience crafting stories in the branding, licensing, and entertainment industries. Learn about our editorial process Print Christopher Kimmel / Getty Images Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Steroid Use in Sports Commonly Abused Steroids Other Banned Steroids Health Risks Drugs commonly referred to as steroids in sports are more accurately classified as anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) or simply anabolic steroids. These include natural steroids like testosterone and synthetic versions that are structurally similar to testosterone and work just as effectively. Both are available by prescription and are used to treat a variety of conditions associated with testosterone deficiency (hypogonadism) in men and women. Steroid Use in Sports Anabolic steroids are sometimes accessed by athletes and bodybuilders for non-medical purposes to build muscle, endurance, and strength. Use of this sort is illegal and banned by most sports organizations. Still, there are athletes who continue to use them illegally despite evidence that they can cause serious health problems In January 2005, the Anabolic Steroid Control Act was amended alongside the Controlled Substance Act, adding anabolic steroids to the list of controlled substances and making their possession a federal crime. How Steroids Work The term "anabolic" is used to describe the process wherein smaller molecules bind together to build bigger ones. The term "androgenic" refers to male hormones, known as androgens. Anabolic steroids should not be confused with corticosteroids, such as cortisone or prednisone. These are drugs used by doctors to treat acute and chronic inflammation. Anabolic-androgenic drugs work by increasing protein within cells, most especially skeletal muscles. The elevated testosterone levels can also increase endurance capacity and delay on the onset of fatigue, enhancing the overall performance of athletes. When used for this athletic or muscle-building purposes, anabolic steroids are considered performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs), while their illegal use is referred to as "doping." How Steroids Are Taken Steroids are taken either orally (in pill form) or via intramuscular injections. Dosing is commonly done in cycles of weeks or months, with a short break in between. The practice is referred to as "cycling." "Stacking" refers to the use of several different types of steroids at the same time. "Pyramiding," meanwhile, refers to the practice of slowly increasing the number, dose, or frequency of steroids to reach a certain peak, after which the amount and frequency are gradually tapered down. While dopers will readily share tips on what the "optimal" or "peak" dose is—asserting that such levels are safe—most of the information is simply made up. When used outside of a prescribed medical treatment, no dose can be considered safe. It is not uncommon for athletes to use 10 to 100 times the dose prescribed for legitimate medical use with little consideration as to the long-term consequences. Commonly Abused Steroids There are a number of banned steroids with varying degrees of effectiveness. In addition, there are substances known as prohormones that the body uses to synthesize testosterone when ingested or injected. Among some of the more commonly used substances are: Androstenedione Also known as "Andro," androstenedione is a designer steroid that was widely abused by athletes in the 1990s, despite there being little scientific evidence to support its effectiveness. In 2004, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration banned the sale of androstenedione due to increasing evidence of serious health risks. Primobolan Primobolan (methenolone) is a banned steroid has been linked to several major league baseball players, including Alex Rodriguez. It can be injected or taken in a tablet form. Primobolan has long been popular among athletes because it can build strength without muscle bulk or many of the negative side effects of other steroids. Tetrahydrogestrinone Tetrahydrogestrinone (THG) is another designer steroid that was specifically manufactured so it would not be detected in doping tests. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) banned the sale of THG in 2003, declaring that it was not a supplement as advertised but rather a PED with a potential for abuse and health hazards. Clenbuterol Also know as "Clen," clenbuterol is a bronchodilator approved of the treatment of asthma. Like anabolic steroids, it can increase lean muscle mass while burning fat, making it attractive to bodybuilders who want "cut" muscle definition before a competition. Professional athletes like Tour de France winner Alberto Contador and Guillermo Mota of the San Francisco Giants have tested positive for the banned substance. DHEA DHEA, an acronym for dehydroepiandrosterone, is a natural steroid prohormone produced by the adrenal glands. Once ingested, the body converts DHEA to estrogen and testosterone. DHEA has been marketed as a nutritional supplement since 1994 after the passing of the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994. Despite being available online and in supplement stores, DHEA is still considered a banned substance by many sports organizations. List of Banned Substances in Sports Other Banned Steroids Anabolic steroids are currently banned by all major sports bodies, including the Olympics, the National Basketball Association (NBA), the National Football League (NFL), and the National Hockey League (NHL). The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) maintains an extensive list of banned PEDs, both oral and injectable. Banned Oral Steroids Anadrol (oxymetholone)Dianabol (methandrostenolone)Oxandrin (oxandrolone)Winstrol (stanozolol) Banned Injectable Steroids Deca-Durabolin (nandrolone decanoate)Depo-Testosterone (testosterone cypionate)Durabolin (nandrolone phenpropionate)Equipoise (boldenone undecylenate)Testosterone enanthate Health Risks There are many health risks associated with anabolic steroid abuse. Some are androgenic, in which the increased testosterone levels can induce secondary male characteristics in both men and women. There are also metabolic side effects, most commonly linked to ongoing abuse, as well as both short- and long-term psychiatric effects. Side Effects in Men Breast development (gynecomastia)InfertilityMale-pattern baldnessSevere acneShrinking of the testicles (testicular atrophy) Side Effects in Women Breast shrinkageClitoral enlargementExcessive facial or body hair (hirsutism)Hair loss (androgenic alopecia)Irregular menstruationIrreversible deepening of the voiceSevere acne Other Health Risks AnxietyAggressive or violent behavior ("roid rage")Decreased "good" HDL cholesterolDelayed growth in adolescents and teensDepressionDrug-induced hepatitisEnlarged left ventricle (ventricular hypertrophy)Enlarged heart (myocardial hypertrophy)Fluid retentionHeart attackHigh blood pressureIncreased "bad" LDL cholesterolIncreased insulin resistanceIncreased risk of muscle sprain and tendon ruptureIrregular heartbeat (arrhythmia)Mania, paranoid, or psychosisProstate cancer (and possibly other cancers)StrokeSudden death Athletes who use steroids can experience withdrawal symptoms when they quit. The symptoms include mood swings, depression, fatigue, irritability, loss of appetite, insomnia, and violent outbursts. Depression can even lead to suicidal thoughts and actions if left untreated. 5 Sources Verywell Fit uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. World Anti-Doping Agency. The Prohibited List. U.S. Department of Justice Drug Enforcement Administration. 21 CFR Parts 1300 and 1308 [Docket No. DEA-264] RIN 1117-AA95, Implementation of the anabolic steroid control act of 2004. Piacentino D, Kotzalidis GD, del Casale A, et al. Anabolic-androgenic Steroid use and Psychopathology in Athletes. A Systematic Review. Curr Neuropharmacol. 2015;13(1):101-21. doi:10.2174/1570159X13666141210222725 U.S. Food & Drug Administration. Questions and Answers: Androstenedione. National Institute on Drug Abuse. Anabolic Steroids DrugFacts. Additional Reading Dandoy C, Gereige RS. Performance-Enhancing Drugs. Pediatr Rev. 2012;33(6):265-71. doi:10.1542/pir.33-6-265 By Elizabeth Quinn, MS Elizabeth Quinn is an exercise physiologist, sports medicine writer, and fitness consultant for corporate wellness and rehabilitation clinics. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Review Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit