The Medical Science uses the term ?steroids? for ?any of numerous naturally occurring or synthetic fat-soluble organic compounds having as a basis 17 carbon atoms arranged in four rings and including the sterols and bile acids, adrenocortical and sex hormones, certain natural drugs such as digitalis compounds, and the precursors of certain vitamins.?

There are over hundreds of distinct steroids that have been identified in plants, animals, and fungi, but of course, this article of course is about the class of synthetic hormones that promote the storage of protein and the growth of tissue are known as steroids. Steroids in fact, are the chemical compounds that include numerous hormones affecting the development and growth of sex organs. Steroids are also known as sex hormone or steroid hormone.

The steroids that are used as performance enhancing drugs are anabolic steroids. Anabolic steroids are the compounds that are derived from testosterone, a potent androgenic hormone produced chiefly by the testes; it is responsible for the development of male secondary sex characteristics.

Anabolic steroids promote tissue growth and repair. There is wide range of anabolic steroids available on the market. Some of the available steroids include nandrolone, oxandrolone, oxymetholone, and stanzolol. These drugs have different labels, but their contents and salts are similar and these can be use interchangeably.

Medically, anabolic steroids are used for the treatment of a number of conditions, such as; catabolic states like chronic infections, extensive surgery, burns, or severe trauma; anemia associated with renal insufficiency, sickle cell anemia, aplastic anemia, and bone marrow failure; angioedema; and growth failure, including the short stature associated with Turner's syndrome.

Anabolic steroids should not be administered to young children because these drugs may cause an early end to the growth of long bones, which results in short stature. These steroids have masculinizing properties, thus should be used with great care in girls. These steroids have a number of side effects. They have been associated with liver cancer and psychological effects, such as contributing to rage attacks. Anabolic steroids are often improperly used by body builders and other athletes, and thus these steroids are controlled substances under United States federal law.