But they are also being used by athletes to enhance their performance. And that's where the biggest danger is. Some are derivatives of testosterone, the male hormone. That increase in size and strength is the hoped-for end result among athletes who are illegally using these drugs. But there can be devastating side-effects as well.
Anabolic steroids are potent drugs.
Even when used for legitimate medical purposes, they require careful monitoring. But when used for non-medical reasons by athletes, they can be especially dangerous. Users can become overly aggressive. Men may develop impotence, enlarged prostate, baldness. They may start to develop breasts.