see also:

• androgens, testosterone and androgenic effects

• synthetic steroids with high anabolic effect : androgen effect ratio (testosterone is 1:1)
• most are 17-alkyl-substituted steroids & thus risk hepatic dysfunction

• ethylestrenol (4-8:1)
• oxandrolone (3-13:1)
• nandrolone phenpropionate (3-6:1)
• nandrolone decanoate (2.5-4:1)
• stanozolol (3-6:1)

• many athletes & their coaches believe that use of anabolic steroids at doses 10-200 x normal increases strength & aggressiveness
• although such effects have been demonstrated in women, it is not clear cut in men
• Australian drug data shows that in the seven years to 2022-23, there was an almost 40% increase in the rate of Australians who reported ever using steroids.¹⁾
• while steroids don't cause physical dependence, the confidence boost they provide can be psychologically addictive
  • withdrawal symptoms can include severe fatigue, muscle and bone density loss and depression, which can lead to suicidal thoughts.
• users often “cycle” doses — using for a period before taking a break to recover in an effort to manage risks
• many “blast and cruise” — switching between high and low doses without a full break.
• adverse effects of such doses makes use very undesirable:
  • atherosclerosis and primary prevention, ischaemic heart disease (IHD)
  • prostatic hyperplasia, risk of prostate cancer
  • sodium and water retention
  • increased aggression
  • baldness
  • severe acne
  • changes in sex drive
  • renal impairment
  • mental illness
  • men can develop breasts and struggle with infertility — sometimes permanently
  • hepatic dysfunction, risk of hepatocellular carcinoma
  • masculinisation of women incl. all effects as above in androgenisation + masculinisation of their fetus if pregnant
  • children (esp. females) may develop CNS maturation abnormalities
• clenbuterol, a beta blocker with fat burning effects,approved only for vet. medicine is increasingly being abused
  • one case of cardiac arrest thus far has been attributed to excessive use