Steroids

What It Does
Anabolic/Androgenic steroids are made up of synthetic derivatives of testosterone, a natural male hormone. Steroids are usually taken in pill form though some may be injected. Some athletes practice "stacking" in which they take many types of steroids and sometimes in combination with other drugs.

Steroids have been shown to increase lean muscle mass, strength and endurance. For males and females some of the effects of steroids are acne, jaundice, trembling, swelling of feet or ankles, bad breath, reduction in HDL, high blood pressure, liver damage and cancers, aching joints, and increased chance of injury to tendons, ligaments,and muscles. Steroids pose the following dangers to men: shrinking of the testicles, reduced sperm count, impotence, baldness, difficulty or pain in urinating, development of breasts and enlarged prostate. For women, the dangers include growth of facial hair, changes in or cessation of the menstrual cycle, enlargement of the clitoris, deepened voice, and breast reduction.

Infofax - Steroids

Straight talk about steroids
"There may be a greater number of cases of anabolic steroid-induced psychiatric illness in this country than had been assumed...these effects may pose a danger not only to the steroids user but to the public at large."
-David Katz and Harrison Pope, Harvard University

Other Web Resources

• SIPE - Web Resources
• NIDA Research Report - Anabolic Steroids
• ATLAS: Anabolic Steroid Prevention Program
• Tips forTeens About Steroids