Anabolic steroids are a group of synthetic drugs that are related in chemical structure to the male hormone testosterone. "Anabolic" means to build up protein and muscle tissue, and that is what these drugs do. Anabolic steroids have legitimate medical uses, but they are more commonly known for their abuse by athletes seeking to enhance their performance by increasing their muscle mass and strength.

In 1935 scientists discovered that under certain conditions giving anabolic steroids to dogs increased the dogs' muscle mass. However, it was not until the 1950s that athletes began using steroids to give them what they believed to be a competitive edge. The first athletes to abuse steroids competed in areas such as weightlifting, bodybuilding, football, discus, and other events where success was highly dependent on strength. Presently, anabolic steroids abuse has spread to virtually every sport at every level of competition. A 1997 study...