Anabolic steroids are synthetic versions of the male hormone testosterone that are used to build muscle mass but can have dangerous side effects. They work by increasing muscle, aggression and cholesterol levels but can also cause acne, baldness, breast growth in men, shrunken testicles, and potentially fatal heart damage or liver cysts. Women risk masculinization including facial hair growth and enlarged clitoris. Both sexes may experience early baldness, stunted growth if taken during teenage years, and decreased fertility.

1. Anabolic Steroids

2. What are anabolic Steroids?
• Synthetic (man made) versions of the
male hormone testosterone that are used
to promote muscle development
– Doctors use small amount of steroids to treat
some conditions, such as muscle disease,
kidney disease and breast cancer. However,
anabolic steroids are often abused because of
their muscle building properties

3. What do steroids do to the body?
• Males
– Increased:
• Aggressive behavior
• Cholesterol level
• Kidney tumors
• Severe acne
• Testicular shrinkage (males
only)
• Liver cysts
• Fatal damage to heart muscle
• Stunt growth in teens
• Breast size
• Early baldness
– Low sperm count
Males become more feminine
• Females
– Increased:
• Aggressive behavior
• Cholesterol level
• Kidney tumors
• Severe acne
• Liver cysts
• Fatal damage to heart
muscle
• Stunt growth in teens
• Facial hair
• Clitoris size
– Decreased breast size
– Irregular menstrual cycle
Females become more
masculine