Anabolic Steroids

Anabolic steroids or anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS), refers to a group of synthetic, testosterone-like hormones that promote anabolism, including muscle development. Medical uses include promotion of tissue repair in severely debilitated patients, but their use in athletics is illegal in most countries, and is considered unethical and therefore banned by almost all international sports governing bodies. Abuse and misuse of this potent class of drugs carry numerous health risks. For more information on the effects of anabolic steroid abuse, visit the US National Institute on Drug Abuse subsite (see References).