Anabolic steroids were developed in the late 1930's primarily to treat hypogonadism, a condition in which the testes do not produce sufficient testosterone for normal growth, development, and sexual functioning. The primary medical uses of these compounds are to treat delayed puberty, some types of impotence, and wasting of the body caused by diseases.

Anabolic steroid is the familiar name for synthetic substances related to the male sex hormones (androgens). They promote the growth of skeletal muscle (anabolic effects) and the development of male sexual characteristics (androgenic effects), and also have some other effects. The term anabolic steroids will be used through-out this report because of its familiarity, although the proper term for these compounds is anabolic-androgenic steroids.

During the 1930's, scientists discovered that anabolic steroids could facilitate the growth of skeletal muscle in laboratory animals, which led to use of the compounds first by bodybuilders and weightlifters and then by athletes in other sports. Steroid abuse has become so widespread in athletics that it affects the outcome of sports contests.

Steroids have been used in bodybuilding since the early 50's and since then have been the common denominator between all the massive guys you see in the magazines and on stage. Big name bodybuilders like Arnold Schwarzenegger have even admitted to using them, not that it wasn't obvious already. It is with an old pro wrestler named Rick Drason who used to work out with Arnold and some other big name bodybuilders. It isn't uncommon for a pro bodybuilder to use steroids year round and even at doses of over 1000mgs of testosterone weekly. Most of them, even at this dosage, experience very few side effects.

There are three types of steroids:
Corticosteroids – Any of the natural or synthetic hormones associated with the adrenal cortex, which influences or controls key processes of the body, as carbohydrate and protein metabolism, electrolyte and water balance, and the functions of the cardiovascular system, the skeletal muscle, the kidneys, and other organs.

Androgens - Testosterone is the androgen that leads to the development of male secondary sexual characteristics and maintains the male reproductive system.

Estrogens and Progestogens - These are the female sex hormones. They are responsible for the development of secondary sexual characteristics in women and maintain the female reproductive system.