Abuse of Anabolic Steroids: A Dangerous Indulgence

Abstract Anabolic androgenic drugs include testosterone and its synthetic steroidal derivatives (also known as anabolic androgenic steroids [AAS]), as well as nonsteroidal selective androgen receptor modulators, which exert tissue-specific androgenic effects by binding to the androgen receptor. As these agents increase muscle mass and strength, they have been widely abused by professional athletes to seek competitive advantage. Recently the use of these compounds has also increased among amateur athletes and also among men who are not athletes but want to enhance their body image. The use of AAS is associated with many adverse effects, some of which are serious and difficult to manage. In this article, we briefly review the types of AAS, the mechanism behind their ergogenic effects, and finally discuss their adverse effects in some detail.