University of Iowa Anabolic Steroids Doctors use anabolic steroids to treat medical problems such as anemia and breast cancer. Anabolic steroids should not be used for anything other than medical purposes. Using steroids for non-medical reasons is not safe because they have many bad side effects.
Some athletes use steroids to add muscle or to improve sports performance.
Those that use steroids do so for increased body weight and lean muscle mass. It is believed that steroids increase muscle strength and aid in muscle repair. Anabolic steroids are banned by the International Olympic Committee and other athletic organizations. Any athlete who uses them does so at the risk of serious side effects. Growing teens using these drugs will not reach their normal adult height.