Steroid use during pregnancy, if the unborn child is female, can have a masculizing effect on the fetus and may result in birth defects. Young athletes and body builders use steroids to increase physical size or because they believe it enhances athletic ability. Steroid use during adolescence can result in stunted growth. Acne, a common problem during adolescence, becomes worse when steroids are used. Steroids may also interfere with normal male hormone production and may produce long-term effects on fertility and sexual functioning.
Steroid use can cause emotional and psychological changes.
Initial use may cause a person to feel euphoric. Prolonged use, however, can result in increased irritability and inappropriate displays of anger. A user may become depressed, suicidal, paranoid or uncharacteristically aggressive. Conclusion Possession and distribution of anabolic steroids for non-medical purposes is illegal under federal law. In November 1990, steroids were added to Schedule III of the Federal Controlled Substances Act, which made the non-medical possession of steroids a criminal act and greatly increased the penalties for steroid distribution.