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Medical issues associated with anabolic steroid use: are they exaggerated?
Jay R Hoffman1, Nicholas A Ratamess
1The College of New Jersey , Ewing, NJ, USA.
Journal of Sports Science & Medicine
|November 22, 2013
Summary
Athletes may underestimate anabolic steroid health risks, as scientific evidence for severe adverse effects is often lacking. Some medical risks associated with anabolic steroid use might be exaggerated to discourage athletes.
Area of Science:
- Sports Medicine
- Pharmacology
- Public Health
Background:
- Anabolic steroids have been controversial performance-enhancing drugs for 50 years.
- Major North American sports bodies now ban and punish anabolic steroid use, citing fair play and health concerns.
- The effectiveness of current testing programs in deterring anabolic steroid use remains debated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore why athletes underestimate the health risks of anabolic steroids.
- To examine the history and prevalence of anabolic steroid use in North America.
- To discuss the efficacy and health issues associated with anabolic steroid use, contrasting medical and athlete perspectives.
Main Methods:
- Review of historical data on anabolic steroid use in athletic and recreational populations.
- Analysis of scientific literature regarding the efficacy and health risks of anabolic steroids.
- Examination of contrasting viewpoints between the medical community and anabolic steroid-using athletes.
Main Results:
- While clinical cases link anabolic steroids to serious conditions like heart attack, suicide, and cancer, direct causal evidence is often lacking.
- The scientific and medical communities have historically reported a lack of efficacy and serious adverse effects.
- Other factors such as genetics and diet may significantly contribute to or potentiate adverse health effects.
Conclusions:
- The medical risks associated with anabolic steroid use may be exaggerated in some contexts, potentially to deter athletes.
- Further research is needed to establish definitive cause-and-effect relationships between anabolic steroid use and severe health outcomes.
- Understanding the discrepancy between perceived and actual health risks is crucial for public health messaging and athlete education.
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