Adverse effects reported to be associated with anabolic steroid use (For a more detailed review see Annex E)
9.9 Acne
(...)
9.10 Androgenic alopecia (male pattern baldness)
(...)
9.11 Gynaecomastia
Gynaecomastia is the growth of the glandular breast tissue in males (...).
9.12 Genitourinary
Many anabolic steroids when used at sufficient dose can suppress endogenous testosterone production and spermatogenesis leading to transient testicular atrophy and infertility. (...) Some users also self-report erectile dysfunction both during “on” cycles and “off” cycles. (...) There has been a case report of prostatic cancer in an individual who was a long-term steroid user and a small number of case reports of renal cancers in individuals who reported use of anabolic steroids.
9.13 Liver
The use of some types of anabolic steroids, in particular the 17S-alkylated compounds, has been associated with hepatic dysfunction and disease in clinical populations. In anabolic steroid users there have been some case reports of acute liver injury (...). There have been a small number of case reports of benign liver tumours, peliosis hepatis (blood-filled sacs in the liver) and hepatocellular carcinoma reported in the literature in individuals who have reported anabolic steroid use.
9.14 Cardiovascular
The use of anabolic steroids has been associated with a range of both acute and chronic cardiovascular pathologies. (...)
9.15 Musculoskeletal
There have been a small number of case reports where damage to tendons/ligaments have occurred after steroid use. It is thought that this could be as a result of disproportionate growth of the muscle compared to the tendons/ligaments. There have also been some case reports of rhabdomyolysis (breakdown of striated muscle cells).
9.16 Psychological & Behavioural
While steroid use has been associated with a range of psychological and behavioural effects (such as hypomania, mania, aggression, violence, depression, and, after ceasing use, suicide) in case reports and some studies these effects have not been sufficiently researched. (...)
9.17 Specific concerns for young people
The use of anabolic steroids can lead to virilization and, more broadly, potentially disrupt the normal pattern of growth and behavioural maturation. Aside from limited studies examining prevalence, little data are available on the use of these drugs by young people.
