In males, use can cause withered testicles, sterility, and impotence. In females, irreversible masculine traits can develop along with breast reduction and sterility. While some side effects appear quickly, others, such as heart attacks and strokes, may not show up for years. Student athletes often feel the pressure of participating in high visibility sports where one mistake can be the difference between winning and losing. The drive to excel at almost any cost can make steroid use appear to be an attractive option.
Anabolic steroids are synthetic hormones used by athletes to develop bulk and muscle strength.
But their use can result in problems for athletes beyond the loss of medals. Anabolic steroids also cause legal problems. Problems associated with steroid use prompted legislation in 1989 making the nonmedical use and distribution of steroids a felony. As a result steroid use by athletes declined, but did not disappear. Participation in sports and athletic activity is associated with physical performance and well being.