How can steroids be harmful

Other medicines have been used to help restore the patient's hormonal system. This publication is available for your use and may be reproduced in its entirety without permission from NIDA. Department of Health and Human Services. National Institutes of Health. Drug Topics. More Drug Topics. Quick Links. About NIDA. Anabolic Steroids DrugFacts. What are anabolic steroids? Points to Remember Anabolic steroids are synthetic variations of the male sex hormone testosterone.

Health care providers can prescribe steroids to treat various medical conditions. National Institutes of Health. Drug Topics. More Drug Topics. Quick Links. About NIDA. Research Report. Liver Steroid misuse has been associated with liver damage, 50,51 tumors, 46,52,53 and a rare condition called peliosis hepatis, in which blood-filled cysts form in the liver.

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But some people use steroid pills, gels, creams, or injections because they think steroids can improve their sports performance or the way they look. Anabolic steroids are artificially produced hormones that are the same as, or similar to, androgens , the male-type sex hormones in the body. There are more than variations of anabolic steroids.

The most powerful androgen is testosterone pronounced: tess-TOSS-tuh-rone. Although testosterone is mainly a mature male hormone, girls' bodies produce smaller amounts. Testosterone helps build muscle and promotes the masculine traits that guys develop during puberty, such as deepening of the voice and growth of body hair.

Testosterone levels can also affect how aggressive a person is. For the most part, steroidal supplements, which used to be found at health food stores or gyms, are now illegal and require a prescription. DHEA is one of the few exceptions and can still be bought over the counter. Steroid supplements are weaker forms of androgen.

Their effects aren't well known, but it's thought that, when taken in large doses, they cause effects similar to other androgens like testosterone. But research studies suggest that they do very little or nothing to improve athletic performance.