Why in News: Two of the Indian track-and-field Tokyo Olympians have failed a dope test for using banned anabolic steroids
Anabolic Steroids
Anabolic steroids are essentially lab-made versions of the male hormone testosterone and have a similar effect of increasing muscle mass as the natural hormone does.
How are theydifferent from Prescription Steroids?
Prescription steroids are the steroids prescribed by the doctors for inflammations, several autoimmune diseases etc
These medicines are called corticosteroids and are lab-made molecules that mimic the action of the hormone called cortisol which controls the body’s stress response, metabolism, and inflammation.
Anabolic steroids are mainly misused by athletes and sportspersons nowadays
Anabolic steroids used for treatments
Anabolic steroids have a very limited medical role and are mainly used by doctors to help patients gain weight after a severe illness or injury.
Prescribed in small doses to the elderly to build muscle mass and in some cases also helps to treat anaemia.
To treat men who have low levels of natural testosterone.
Impacts
Male
In the short term can cause acne and hair fall.
Extended misuse of the substance can also lead to gynecomastia (growth of breasts in men) and erectile dysfunction.
Female
It can lead to the growth of facial hair.
It also causes extreme anger, paranoia, and impaired judgement.
