"Anabolic steroids - or more precisely, anabolic/androgenic steroids - belong to a group known as ergogenic, or so-called "performance-enhancing," drugs. Some medical types are synthetic derivatives of testosterone, a natural male hormone. "Anabolic" means growing or building."(Nida.nih)

Steroids are imitations of the hormone testosterone. The U. S. Food and Drug Administration has allowed certain types steroids for healing anemia, some breast cancers, osteoporosis, endometriosus, and a few other diseases. Many uses are being found in research for steroids that deal with healing of patients after surgery. The FDA said that the claims were not accurate and denied the use. The body produces between 2 and 10 milligrams of testosterone a day. "This hormone helps the body retain dietary protein, aiding the growth of muscles, bones, and skin."(Encyclopedia.com) Steroid users sometimes get more than 100 milligrams of testosterone a dose, which exceeds the FDA reco

mmended allowances. This is not healthy for the body causing many side effects. These steroids are not used for medical reasons. Steroids have been found to increase lean muscle mass found in the body, and cause the muscles to retain water, increasing the body mass or bulking up the body. Steroids in such big doses have the side effects "acne, jaundice, trembling, swelling of feet or ankles, bad breath, reduction in HDL, the "good" cholesterol, high blood pressure, liver damage and cancers, aching joints, increased chance of injury to tendons, ligaments, and muscles."(Research Reports) These are side effects that affect both sexes. Men experience "shrinking of the testicles, reduced sperm count, impotence, baldness, difficulty or pain in urinating, development of breasts, and enlarged prostate."(Research Reports) Women experience "growth of facial hair, changes in or cessation of the menstrual cycle, enlargement of the clitoris, deepened voice, and breast reduction."(Research Reports) There are many other effects that are not listed; yet people still use steroids. Many people turn on the television and see huge bodybuilders that have used steroids. The typical steroid user is thought of as a profe

Some common words found in the essay are:
Drug Administration, Reports Women, , People Steroids, PAGES Athletes, San Diego, Dr Squat, PERCEPTIONDr Squat, kill people, reports effects, drugs cigarettes, people steroids, steroids steroids, milligrams testosterone,
Approximate Word count = 817
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)