Once viewed as a problem strictly associated with the male regime i.e. body builders, fitness buffs, and professional athletes, the abuse of steroids is surprisingly widespread in young women nowadays. One survey by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention suggests that 5 percent of high school girls abuses steroids throughout the US. This number further increases significantly for young women in colleges and universities which reflects a very disturbing yet growing trend.

Why pretty lasses use these monstrous steroids?

•The most common reason which holds true for both men and women is the "winning isn't everything, it's the only thing" philosophy common in so many school athletic programs. There is more pressure to win and perform in sports today than ever before. With so much pressure to perform, it is no wonder that young athletes resort to steroids for help.

•One surprising reason of using steroids, although not related to sports, is that many steroid users take the drug not to run faster, jump higher, or throw harder, but simply to look better. Among girls, it is seen as part of a pathological desire to get the fit, toned figure of modern fashion. Indeed, steroids are no longer linked only to sports, but to a society fixated by the shape and size of the human body.

•Another reason most young women give for taking steroids is to reduce body fat. This group includes people who have suffered rejections or have performed poorly in sports due to their butterball skins.

•Sometimes, women who have experienced physical or sexual abuse take steroids to boost their muscle size and their self confidence.

These steroids have many effects and side-effects common to both men and women. However, there are certain women specific effects of steroids which include:

•Acne, hair loss, withdrawal of the frontal hair line, male pattern boldness, lowering of the voice, increased facial hair growth, and breast atrophy.

•Changes in or cessation of menstrual cycles

•Prematurely growth halting (due to premature skeletal maturation).

•Anabolic steroid use by pregnant women may lead to growth retardation of the fetus. It may even lead to fetal death. However, these side effects have not been studied systematically.

•Other side effects of anabolic steroid use in females are increased sexual desire and hypertrophy of the clitoris apart from paranoid jealousy, extreme irritability, delusions, and impaired judgment stemming from feelings of invincibility.

Success in sports requires talent, skill, and above all, practice and hard work. Using steroids is a form of cheating and interferes with fair competition. More importantly, they are dangerous to your health. There are many healthy ways to increase your strength or improve your appearance.

Anabolic steroids are not legal in most of the organized sports. Most professional and amateur sports organizations and medical associations ban anabolic steroids. Athletes who test positive for steroids are usually suspended or disqualified and may lose their chance to compete in their respective sport for rest of their lives. The decision is yours…