Which of the following is true regarding anabolic steroids?
Anabolic steroids
Anabolic steroids are synthetic derivatives of testosterone. They are used by some athletes to enhance performance, and by some men and women to improve physical appearance. They have anabolic (tissue-building) and androgenic (masculinising) properties. The androgenic effect cannot be separated from the anabolic, but purely anabolic steroids have been synthesised in an attempt to minimise the androgenic effects.
Anabolic steroids are a class C controlled drug (covered under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971). It is however, not an offence to possess them for personal use. They can only be obtained legally though a medical prescription.
Anabolic steroids allow the user to increase both the frequency and intensity of workouts, in addition to increasing muscle capacity, reducing body fat, increasing strength and endurance, and hastening recovery from injury.
Anabolic steroids can be taken orally, injected intra-muscularly and, less commonly, applied topically in the form of creams and gels. Some people use anabolic steroids continuously for years. Various additional drugs are taken to combat the side-effects of the steroids, and these include human chorionic gonadotrophin, diuretics, thyroid hormones, growth hormone and insulin.
The following psychiatric disorders are associated with anabolic steroid use:
- Aggression
- Psychosis
- Mania and hypomania
- Depression
Medical complications are common and are summarised in the following table:
| System | Complications |
|---|---|
| Musculoskeletal | Muscular hypertrophy |
| Cardiovascular system | Increased blood pressure Decreased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and increased low-density lipoprotein cholesterol Reported cases of myocardial infarction |
| Hepatic | Cholestatic jaundice Benign and malignant liver tumours Peliosis hepatis |
| Reproductive (males) | Benign prostatic hypertrophy Testicular atrophy Sterility Gynaecomastia Abnormalities of sperm count, motility and morphology Painful breast lumps Anabolic steroid misuse by prepubertal boys may lead to premature closure of bony epiphyses and a consequent reduction in final height |
| Reproductive (females) | Breast tissue may shrink Menstrual abnormalities Masculinisation, including clitoral hypertrophy, hirsuitism, deepened voice |
| Dermatological | Male-pattern baldness Acne Oily skin Jaundice |
| Other | Sleep apnoea Exacerbation of tic disorders Polycythaemia Altered immunity Glucose intolerance |
