Anabolic steroids were first discovered and developed in the period of 1930s. These drugs were identified to possess properties that contributed towards growth of the skeletal muscle. These drugs also contribute towards development of sexual features and characteristics among the users. Initially medical uses of anabolic steroids ensured that this discovery would prove to be a life saving one. However with time instances of misuse and abuse of steroids increased.

Anabolic steroids help in synthesis of proteins and this in turn helps in greater strength and development of muscle bulk. In fact the word anabolic itself is coined from a Greek work that means ‘build up’. Because of the protein building properties anabolic steroids were used by many amateur and professional sports persons to gain unfair advantage in sports competition. In spite of the medical uses of anabolic steroids these drugs were used for unfair purposes.

While anabolic steroids help sports persons to improve their performance, agility and strength the real purpose of steroids was to treat some medical conditions. The medical uses of anabolic steroids included treatment of some conditions like cases where the production of testosterone was insufficient. Many time adolescent males experience malfunctioning of the pituitary glands. In that case uses of anabolic steroids include injecting steroids. Such use of steroids can result in appropriate spurt in growth along with development of secondary sexual features.

Medical uses of anabolic steroids include steroids used to treat some forms of cancer. In men testicular cancer requires removal of testes. After such a surgery often these men are prescribed oral steroids so that testosterone is replaced as their bodies do not produce this testosterone. Such use of steroids helps in maintaining the secondary sexual features and characteristics.

Medical uses of anabolic steroids also include administering of steroids in patients that experience muscle tissue loss following some forms of cancer. Muscles tissue loss and body wastage is also experienced in some other illnesses like AIDS and so steroids can be used in these cases. Hereditary angioedema results in swelling of the arms, legs, face, windpipe, bowels and throat along with the sexual organs. Steroids may be used to treat this condition.