How Steroids Harm an Athlete’s Body and Mind

June 20, 2025

Closeup of the midsection of an adult man training at the gym

Some athletes take anabolic steroids to build muscle mass or boost performance, believing it will give them a competitive edge. But doing so can lead to dangerous side effects and even addiction.

Performance-enhancing drugs like steroids are illegal in amateur and professional sports, and they often end up doing serious harm to the body as well as the mind. University Hospitals family medicine doctor William Hein, DO, shares more.

What Are Steroids?

Anabolic steroids are different than corticosteroids, such as prednisone, which are commonly prescribed for asthma and inflammation. Anabolic steroids are a synthetic form of the male hormone testosterone and are designed to build muscle mass and strength. They may be prescribed to treat hormone problems in men, delayed puberty and muscle loss from some diseases.

Most anabolic steroids are smuggled into the United States or stolen from legitimate sources. Many users start out with oral steroids and move on to injectable forms. Steroid abusers often use more than one type and take doses that are far higher than those used for legitimate medical purposes.

Health Effects of Anabolic Steroids

Using anabolic steroids without the supervision of a doctor has been linked to a long list of health problems, especially with long-term use. These include:

High blood pressure
Heart problems
Stroke
Blood clots
Cancer
Acne
Kidney and liver damage
Hair loss in males
Low sperm count
Excessive body and facial hair in females
Breast enlargement in males and females
Erectile dysfunction
Shrinking of the testicles
Irregular menstrual cycles
Aggression (sometimes called “roid rage”)
Depression / mood swings

Steroids and Teens

Steroid misuse usually starts in young adulthood, but teens can also fall prey to steroid culture. Surveys have shown up to 7 percent of high school students have used steroids, but the true number may be higher.

Steroids in adolescence can cause a host of health problems, as well as stunted growth and cognitive issues. Boys who begin using anabolic steroids as teenagers show increased impulsivity and decreased attention, compared to men who began using steroids in their adult years.

How to Boost Performance Naturally

People don’t need anabolic steroids to boost testosterone levels, says Dr. Hein. There are a number of safe – and legal – ways to build muscle and strength.

“Testosterone production in the body involves a complex biochemical pathway with an interplay between multiple different hormones,” he says. Here’s how to increase testosterone levels safely and naturally:

Deep Sleep. Getting enough deep-phase REM sleep is essential for testosterone production. Having a healthy, consistent sleep schedule is important to maintain and boost testosterone levels. “Obstructive sleep apnea or other sleep disturbances could impair the body’s ability to produce testosterone. Speak to your physician if you feel you are not sleeping well,” says Dr. Hein.
Eat a Well-Balanced Diet. A diet that includes healthy fats, such as unsaturated fats from olive oil, nuts and seeds provide the nutrients required for testosterone production. Deficiency in certain nutrients could be linked to lower testosterone levels, including zinc, vitamin A and vitamin D.
Maintain a Healthy Body Weight. Being overweight or obese can lower testosterone levels. “Fat cells contain an enzyme called aromatase, which converts testosterone into estrogen, lowering the body’s testosterone level,” says Dr. Hein. “Maintaining a healthy body fat percentage can help increase natural testosterone levels.”
Prioritize Strength Training. Testosterone production can be increased naturally by stimulating growth hormone production through resistance training and weightlifting. “Focus lifting on the large muscle groups, including the chest, back and legs, with exercises such as squats, deadlifts, bench press and bent-over rows,” Dr. Hein says. “Exercising these muscle groups only a couple of times a week is enough to stimulate growth hormone production, which in turn stimulates testosterone production.”