- Steroids are pharmaceutical hormones related to or derived from the naturally occurring hormone testosterone. They have both anabolic (tissue building) and androgenic (masculinizing) effects.
- Steroids promote muscle growth, increase bone density and stimulate the production of red blood cells, and doctors have used them to treat anemia, osteoporosis and medical conditions that waste muscles (such as multiple sclerosis). Steroids can also help restore appetite and promote tissue growth in patients with cancer or severe burns.
- The steroid testosterone is used in hormone replacement therapy to reverse or alleviate the effects of hypogonadism, which can cause a lowered libido, erectile dysfunction, fatigue, depression, a loss of bone density and skeletal muscle mass and a general sense of lowered well-being. Doctors have used the steroid stanozolol to treat hereditary angioedema, which causes swelling of the skin of the face, lips and the interior of the mouth and throat.
- Testosterone can treat delayed-onset puberty in adolescents, and doctors may also prescribe them to promote masculine characteristics (increased muscle, deeper voice, facial hair) in female-to-male individuals with gender identity disorder.
- Athletes use steroids to aid recovery and increase strength, and endurance athletes can benefit from steroids that cause red blood cell production--more red blood cells increases the blood's oxygen carrying capacity. Note that the governing bodies of many amateur and professional sports--including the NCAA and the International Olympic Committee--prohibit athletes from using steroids.
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