Health Impacts of Anabolic-Androgenic Steroid Use
Summary
Anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) are synthetic testosterone derivatives employed in medical contexts and misused for performance enhancement. Their health impacts span multiple organ systems. Cardiovascular sequelae include myocardial hypertrophy, impaired systolic and diastolic function, arrhythmias and elevated risk of infarction. Hepatic damage manifests as cholestasis, cytolysis and, in severe cases, toxic hepatitis or neoplasia. Endocrine disruption results in hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis suppression, leading to hypogonadism, infertility and mood disturbances. Psychiatric effects comprise aggression, depression and cognitive alterations. Musculoskeletal consequences range from tendon fragility to altered bone density. Long-term misuse exacerbates oxidative stress, promotes apoptosis and dysregulates lipid metabolism, contributing to atherogenesis and hepatic steatosis. The ubiquity of non-medical AAS use, especially among athletes and recreational bodybuilders, renders these findings a pressing public health concern. Emerging research focuses on dose–response relationships, recovery trajectories following cessation and genetic predispositions. Clinical awareness and comprehensive screening are pivotal for early detection and management of AAS-related pathology.
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Health Impacts of Anabolic-Androgenic Steroid Use publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in health impacts of anabolic-androgenic steroid use across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Anabolic-Androgenic Steroids (AAS): Synthetic compounds related to testosterone that promote muscle growth and exhibit androgenic effects.
Hepatotoxicity: Liver injury resulting from chemical exposure, marked by enzyme elevations, cholestasis or necrosis.
Cardiomyopathy: Disease of the heart muscle characterised by structural and functional abnormalities, including impaired contraction and relaxation.
Hypogonadism: Clinical syndrome resulting from failure of the gonads to produce physiological levels of sex hormones, leading to reproductive and metabolic disturbances.
References
- A clinical case of acute anabolic steroid-induced toxic hepatitis. Gastroenterology (2023).
- The relationship between anabolic androgenic steroid use and body image, eating behavior, and physical activity by gender: A systematic review. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews (2024).
- Severe biventricular cardiomyopathy in both current and former long-term users of anabolic–androgenic steroids. European Journal of Preventive Cardiology (2023).
- Former Abusers of Anabolic Androgenic Steroids Exhibit Decreased Testosterone Levels and Hypogonadal Symptoms Years after Cessation: A Case-Control Study. PLOS ONE (2016).
- Adverse Effects of Anabolic-Androgenic Steroids: A Literature Review. Healthcare (2021).
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