Anabolic steroids are basically drugs that are a derivative of testosterone which is the male hormone. Information about anabolic steroids indicate that these help in promoting growth of the lean body mass and help in muscle growth as well. Anabolic steroids are used for some medical purposes like treatment of people experiencing some medical problems. However in recent times anabolic steroids have been used by athletes for improvement of performance in the competitive arena. Such non medical use of these anabolic steroids can lead to health hazards.

Anabolic steroids are normally taken either in the form of pills or then they are injected in the body. Abusers tend to believe in some wrong information about anabolic steroids and so they tend to take multiple steroids at one time thinking that such increased dosage will have higher effect. They either take higher dosages of multiple steroids at one time or then they might use the steroids in cyclical periods of several weeks and then stop and start them again.

As per the information about anabolic steroids released by the health service administration looking over substance abuse around 0.5 percent of the American public have used anabolic steroids at some point of time. In fact in the age group of 18 and 34 around 1 percent people have used steroids. More men tend to take anabolic steroids as compared to women.

Federal Law makes it illegal for anyone to possess anabolic steroids and distributing these for non medical usage is also illegal. However the NIDA report about anabolic steroids indicates that there is a phenomenal demand for anabolic steroids in the black market and these are illegally procured and smuggled through mail in the United States.

Information about anabolic steroids throws light on the sides effects of the consumption of the anabolic steroids. Some of these side effects include acne, trembling, fluid retention, blood pressure problems, and reduction in the good cholesterol or HDL, aching joints, liver tumors and jaundice. Likewise those who share needles while injecting the steroids may also be at a risk of contracting HIV, hepatitis and other diseases.

Other problems that may be cause because of use of anabolic steroids particularly among men include reduction in the sperm count, shrinking of the testicles, infertility, impotence, development of breasts, pain during urination and also enlargement of the prostrate. Among women the problems that steroids can cause include clitoral enlargement, deepening of the voice and in adolescents steroids can actually cause stunted growth.

Research by NIDA about anabolic steroids also indicates that steroid use can have wide emotional and psychological effects on people including development of aggressiveness and anger and mood swings as well. Users may also experience extreme irritability, paranoid jealousy and delusions.

Studies about anabolic steroids indicate that there is no real documented proof that steroids help in improving skill, athletic performance, cardiovascular capacity and agility. Athletes do however indicate that the steroids result in increase in strength, endurance and muscle mass. However the Olympic Committee has banned around 20 different anabolic steroids.