The steroids used for body building are related to the male sex hormone, testosterone. These kinds of steroids stimulate muscle growth and decrease the amount of body fat. Scientists refer to them as anabolic steroids ("anabolic" means to "build up"). Anabolic steroids should not be confused with corticosteroids, which are a different kind of steroid sold at drugstores to help reduce swelling and itching. This page is devoted to anabolic steroids.

People usually use anabolic steroids to

• build muscles
• improve sports performance
• reduce body fat

Other effects may include

• mood swings
• uncontrolled outbursts of anger ("roid rage")

Common street names: roids, juice, gym candy, pumpers, stackers, Arnolds, weight trainers.

How are steroids used? Steroids are either taken as a pill or injected.

Risk of addiction: Steroids are not strongly addictive like some other drugs. However, some people become psychologically dependent and experience withdrawal symptoms when they stop taking steroids. Such symptoms include depression, mood swings, fatigue, restlessness, loss of appetite, reduced sex drive, and steroid cravings.

Effects on the body: In addition to muscle growth and reduced body fat, the physical effects of steroids on the body may include

• high blood pressure
• severe acne
• development of breasts (in males)
• growth of facial hair (in females)

Problems from excessive use: It is very uncommon to overdose on steroids from a single use. However, some people continue to take steroids over and over again, often at increasing doses. They may also take a combination of two or more steroids at the same time (this is called "stacking"). Continued use of steroids can lead to kidney damage, stroke, heart attack, and liver failure.

How are steroids produced? Most anabolic steroids are synthesized by drug companies. The names of their commercial products include Anadrol, Oxandrin, Dianabol, Winstrol, Deca-Durobolin, Depo-Testosterone, Equipoise, and Tetrahydrogestrinone (THG). It is illegal to possess such steroids without a prescription from a doctor.

Can anabolic steroids be used legally? Anabolic steroids can be legally prescribed by doctors for medical conditions that require the growth of body tissues. For example, steroids are used to (1) stimulate the growth of red blood cells in people who have anemia, (2) stimulate muscle growth in patients who are long-term bed-ridden, and (3) promote body growth in people with dwarfism.

How quickly and how long do steroids act? Anabolic steroids have few obvious short-term effects. Their ability to stimulate muscle growth and their other effects on the body take several weeks to appear. Likewise, the effects of steroids can take several months to diminish after a person stops taking them.

Drug tests for steroids: Most anabolic steroids can be detected in the urine starting about 4-6 hours after they are first used. When steroids are taken as pills, they continue to be detectable for several week after the last pill is taken. Injected steroids are detectable for several months after the last injection. Interpreting the results of steroid tests is sometimes difficult because the body makes its own steroids that can confuse the test results.

How many teens use steroids? Between 1 and 2% of high school seniors say they have used steroids within the past year.