2.5% of 8th graders, 3.5% of 10th graders, and 4.0% of 12th graders reported using steroids at least once in their lifetimes.2
Anabolic steroids are taken orally or injected, typically in cycles of weeks or months (referred to as "cycling"), rather than continuously.1
Side effects from abusing anabolic steroids can include liver tumors and cancer, jaundice (yellowish pigmentation of skin, tissues, and body fluids), fluid retention, high blood pressure, increases in LDL (bad cholesterol), and decreases in HDL (good cholesterol). Other side effects include kidney tumors, severe acne, and trembling.4
Depression often is seen when the drugs are stopped and may contribute to dependence on anabolic steroids.1
Steroid abuse disrupts the normal production of hormones in the body, causing both reversible and irreversible changes. Changes that can be reversed include reduced sperm production and shrinking of the testicles (testicular atrophy). Irreversible changes include male-pattern baldness and breast development (gynecomastia).1
Anabolic steroids have been reported to cause behavioral effects, including euphoria, increased energy, sexual arousal, mood swings, distractibility, forgetfulness, irritability, aggression and confusion.1
Products containing natural ephedrine alkaloids have long been with the goals of aiding weight loss, enhancing sports performance, and increasing energy.3
Ephedra is associated with higher risks of mild to moderate side effects such as heart palpitations, psychiatric and upper gastrointestinal effects, and symptoms of autonomic hyperactivity such as tremor and insomnia, especially when it is taken with other stimulants.3
Studies have found limited evidence of an effect of ephedra on short-term weight loss, and minimal evidence of an effect on performance enhancement in certain physical activities.3
Research Excerpts
"We want to caution all Americans - particularly athletes and those who engage in strenuous activities - about using dietary supplements that contain ephedra. There continue to be serious questions about the risks surrounding this particular dietary supplement."3
"Since the 1950s, some athletes have been taking anabolic steroids to build muscle and boost their athletic performance. Increasingly, other segments of the population also have been taking these compounds. Studies show that, over time, anabolic steroids can indeed take a heavy toll on a person's health. The abuse of oral or injectable steroids is associated with higher risks for heart attacks and strokes, and the abuse of most oral steroids is associated with increased risk for liver problems. Steroid abusers who share needles or use nonsterile techniques when they inject steroids are at risk for contracting dangerous infections, such as HIV/AIDS, hepatitis B and C, and bacterial endocarditis."1
Media Quotes
"Teenagers, looking up to those elite athletes whose muscles ripple with steroid-enhanced power, are picking up some dangerous training tips, health experts warn. 'I'd say 500,000 to 600,000 kids in the U.S. have used these drugs at some time,' says researcher Charles Yesalis, professor of exercise and sport science at Penn State. 'Right now steroid use is at an all-time high.' Noted orthopedic surgeon James Andrews, who treats pro and amateur athletes in Birmingham, Ala., believes young players model themselves after their grown-up sports heroes. 'Whatever is being done at the professional level is being handed down rapidly to the collegiate level, the high school level and the pre-high school level.'"4
"The question is whether baseball will do anything about a substance already outlawed in other arenas of sports. For Orioles pitcher Matt Riley, who lost a friend, the case is clear: Baseball must ban ephedrine. 'I hope so,' he says. 'I hope it doesn't take another death for them to realize the magnitude of this. If they could feel what I'm feeling, they'd know how much it means to get ephedra out of baseball. Football smarted up and got it out. ... We don't need any more casualties. One's enough.'"5
