Anabolic Steroids

What are anabolic steroids?

Anabolic steroids mimic the effects of the male sex hormone testosterone. Testosterone plays a key role in the development of the testicles as well as promoting masculine characteristics such as a deeper voice, the growth of body hair and muscle mass.

The effects on muscle growth make steroids particularly attractive to athletes where strength, speed, and size may be of an advantage.It may also be tempting for athletes to use them to recover from injury more quickly.

For this reason anabolic steroids are prohibited both In and Out of Competition by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). The starting point for a sanction related to steroid use is a 2 year ban from all sport.

What are the risks?

The use of anabolic steroids has the potential to cause a number of harmful side effects including:

• Acne
• Increased risk of heart disease, cancer
• Liver and kidney damage
• Increased aggression
• Extreme mood swings (‘Roid rage’)

Male specific side effects:

• Breast growth
• Shrinking of testicles
• Decreased sperm production
• Impotence

Female specific side effects:

• Deeper voice, facial and body hair
• Enlarged clitoris
• Abnormal menstrual cycles
• Infertility

Other considerations:

• Steroids purchased over the internet or from other unknown or unregulated suppliers can be potentially fatal - they could be fake or mixed with other dangerous chemicals.
• In most countries, the possession or sale of anabolic steroids without a prescription is a criminal offence.
• Importation of steroids or any prohibited substance including items carried in your personal luggage when travelling may also be considered a criminal offence.
• Information resulting from the seizure of steroids or any prohibited substance at the border by Customs (including items purchased over the internet) will be passed on to your National Anti-Doping Organisation to investigate as an anti-doping rule violation for attempted use. This may occur even if you don’t physically receive the substances you paid for.