What Are Anabolic Steroids?

Anabolic steroids, also known as anabolic-androgenic steroids and performance-enhancing drugs, are synthetic types of testosterone, the male sex hormone. These medications are used by healthcare professionals to treat delayed puberty in boys and to treat various hormonal issues in men. They can also help treat muscle loss due to certain diseases. When prescribed by a healthcare professional and taken as directed, anabolic steroids are considered safe. However, some patients could misuse these medicines, leading to significant side effects such as infertility.