The anabolic steroids that are being abused today are actually anabolic-androgen steroids. Anabolic refers to the drugs' bodybuilding capability while androgenic means that steroids have a masculinizing effect.
Anabolic steroids are a synthetic form of the male sex hormone - testosterone.
Because they stimulate the building of muscle mass, anabolic steroids are sometimes prescribed by physicians for treatment of muscle diseases, various gynecologic disorders, some forms of cancer, for severe burns, some forms of anemia, and for some forms of birth defects. They are taken orally or by injection. While the use of many street drugs, such as crack, speed and marijuana, is associated with pleasure seeking, the illegal use of anabolic steroids is usually associated with goal-oriented athletes, or by people who want to improve their body build. People sometime take steroids to improve their physical appearance, improve their strength and endurance or build muscle mass. The popularity of steroids may have less to do with their actual effectiveness than with the perception among users that they work.