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What are steroids?
The word "steroid" is the name for a group of chemicals whose
structures are very much alike. There are three types of steroids
familiar to most people:
1) Drugs like hydrocortisone: Known medically as
"corticosteroids," these steroids are found in
prescription and non-prescription cremes and ointments
that control rashes and itching. Two common trade names
are Cortaid(R) and Lanacort(R). Corticosteroids are not
thought to be addictive.
2) Female sex hormones: Known medically as "estrogens" and
"progestogens," these steroids cause the development of
secondary sexual characteristics in women and maintain
the female reproductive system. Estrogens and
progestogens are the active ingredients in prescription
birth control tablets. Estrogens and progestogens are
not thought to be addictive.
3) Male sex hormones: These are known medically as
"androgens." Testosterone is the androgen that leads to
the development of male secondary sexual characteristics
and maintains the male reproductive system. Drugs like
testosterone have only recently been identified as having
abuse and addiction liability.(1) These drugs are
also known as "Anabolic Steroids."(2)
There are only minor chemical differences between the members
of one class of steroid and another. Under certain conditions the
body changes one type of steroid into another. This will be
covered in detail under the question, "What effects do anabolic
steroids have on male sexual function?"
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REFERENCES
1. Yesalis CE, Wright JE, Bahrke MS. Epidemiological and policy
issues in the measurement of the long term health effects of
anabolic-androgenic steroids. Sports Medicine 1989
Sep;8(3):129-38.
2. Wagner JC. Abuse of drugs used to enhance athletic
performance. American Journal Of Hospital Pharmacy 1989
Oct;46:2059-67.
by Trent Tschirgi, R. Ph.
(c) 1992 University of Maryland Office of Substance Abuse Studies.
All Rights Reserved.
Disclaimer: Steroid use is illegal in a vast number of countries around the
world. This is not without reason. Steroids should only be used when prescribed
by your doctor and under close supervision. Steroid use is
not to be taken lightly and we do not in any way endorse or approve of illegal drug use.
The information is provided on the same basis as all the other
information on this site, as informational/entertainment value.
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