The bulk of attention that anabolic steroids have received over the course of the past ten to fifteen years has been about their potentially lethal side effects. According to several sources, including the U.S. Department of Justice Drug Enforcement Administration and the National Institute on Drug Abuse- have stated several potential side effects caused by the misuse of anabolic steroids. The following list are possible physical side effects caused by the abuse of anabolic steroids:
- testicular atrophy
- impotence
- sterility
- prostate cancer
- stunted bone growth
- blood clotting disorders
- irregular periods
- water and salt retention
- balding
- gynecomastia
- virilization
- liver cancer
- liver cysts
- increased facial and body hair (in men and women)
- elevated cholesterol and triglycerides
- enlarged clitoris
- severe acne
- oily skin
- abscesses
- infections
- inhibitions of natural hormones