Why do people go through such lengths to make their bodies bigger? Many believe that substances such as steroids provide a competitive advantage. Anabolic Steroids, more correctly referred to as anabolic-androgenic steroids are the synthetic derivatives of the naturally occurring male anabolic hormone testosterone. The drug's anabolic effect, help the body retain protein, and is a class of drugs typically taken by athletes to increase muscle mass, strength, and endurance or to improve their appearance. Germans first developed steroids in the 1930's and first experimented on dogs then on their own soldiers in the second world war, as well as used them on their prisoners to help them stay healthy because they suffered from severe malnutrition. Then in the 1950's many Russian and European athletes began to find that steroids were very helpful to their goals and soon after began dominating the sport of power lifting, crushing previous world records. In the mid 1950's it was proven that testosterone was the reason behind the improved athletic ability. These substances the athletes were using produced inadequate amounts of the natural hormone that is responsible for the development of masculine characteristics occurring at puberty. There are 3 types of steroids used in medicine also:.
Corticosteroids - Any of the natural or synthetic hormones associated with the adrenal cortex, which influences or controls key processes of the body, as carbohydrate and protein metabolism. These steroids are found in prescription and non-prescription creams and ointments that control rashes and itching. Two common trade names are Cortaid(R) and Lanacort(R).
Estrogens and Progestogens - These are the female sex hormones. They are responsible for the development of secondary sexual characteristics in women and maintain the female reproductive system. .
Androgens - Testosterone is the androgen that leads to the development of male secondary sexual characteristics and maintains the male reproductive system.