National Institutes of Health
- The primary NIH organization for research on Anabolic Steroids is the National Institute on Drug Abuse
A service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine 
National Institutes of Health
Anabolic Steroids
Also called: Anabolic-androgenic steroids, Performance-enhancing drugs
Anabolic steroids are man-made substances related to male sex hormones. Medical uses of anabolic steroids include some hormone problems in men, late puberty and muscle loss from some diseases.
Bodybuilders and athletes often use anabolic steroids to build muscles and improve athletic performance. But using them this way is not legal or safe. Abuse of anabolic steroids has been linked with many health problems. They range from unattractive to life threatening and include
- Acne and cysts
- Breast growth and shrinking of testicles in men
- Voice deepening and growth of body hair in women
- Heart problems, including heart attack
- Liver disease, including cancer
- Aggressive behavior
NIH: National Institute on Drug Abuse
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Start Here
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Anabolic Steroids(National Institute on Drug Abuse)
- Also available in Spanish
- Steroids(Nemours Foundation)
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Anabolic Steroids
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The bottom row in the table of contents box contains the following groups:
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Overviews
- Hormone Abuse Prevention: Facts About Steroid Abuse(Hormone Health Network)
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Related Issues
- 'Natural' Steroids: Are They Safe?(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
- Performance-Enhancing Drugs: Know the Risks(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
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Videos
- Warning on Body Building Products(Food and Drug Administration)
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Journal Articles
References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)
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Directories
- Substance Abuse Treatment Facility Locator(Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration)
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Organizations
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Children
- Steroids(Nemours Foundation)
- Steroids(Nemours Foundation)
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Teenagers
- Are Steroids Worth the Risk?(Nemours Foundation)
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Mind Over Matter: Anabolic Steroids(National Institute on Drug Abuse)
- Also available in Spanish
- Performance-Enhancing Drugs and Your Teen Athlete(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
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