What are steroids?
The word "steroid" is the name for a group of chemicals whose structures are very much alike. There are three types of steroids familiar to most people: 1) Drugs like hydrocortisone: Known medically as "corticosteroids," these steroids are found in prescription and non-prescription cremes and ointments that control rashes and itching. Two common trade names are Cortaid(R) and Lanacort(R). Corticosteroids are not thought to be addictive. 2) Female sex hormones: Known medically as "estrogens" and "progestogens," these steroids cause the development of secondary sexual characteristics in women and maintain the female reproductive system. Estrogens and progestogens are the active ingredients in prescription birth control tablets. Estrogens and progestogens are not thought to be addictive. 3) Male sex hormones: These are known medically as "androgens." Testosterone is the androgen that leads to the development of male secondary sexual characteristics and maintains the male reproductive system. Drugs like testosterone have only recently been identified as having abuse and addiction liability.(1) These drugs are also known as "Anabolic Steroids."(2) There are only minor chemical differences between the members of one class of steroid and another. Under certain conditions the body changes one type of steroid into another. This will be covered in detail under the question, "What effects do anabolic steroids have on male sexual function?"
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