Anabolic androgenic steroids are synthetic androgens 
that have similar physiological effects as testosterone.
Androgens are the name for all male sex hormones, 
the most important of which is testosterone.
When a boy reaches puberty,
his body begins to produce more
testosterone to stimulate sex drive, the
development of male sex organs, facial
and body hair growth, and voice change.
This is the "androgenic" effect of testosterone.
Androgens also have an anabolic effect, which stimulates muscle growth.
Testosterone is produced and released primarily in the 
testes and adrenal glands in men, and in the ovaries
and adrenal glands in women.
In both genders, production is regulated 
by the pituitary gland.
Healthy men produce four to nine milligrams of testosterone each day,
while women only produced 0.7 milligrams.
Testosterone has direct effects on the
pituitary gland, muscles, testes, ovaries,
bone marrow, and central nervous system.
Just like natural androgens, anabolic
steroids have both anabolic and
androgenic effects in the body.
it's this anabolic effect – where muscle grows much faster through exercise
– that users are typically seeking.
Anabolic steroids are usually taken as pills or injected, but they can also be applied through creams or patches.
For the desired effect, the dose has to exceed the level
of testosterone that the body naturally produces.
This is what we call a Supra physiological dose.
These doses can lead to the body reducing or even
stopping its own production of testosterone,
since it's already getting enough 
from an external source.
this happens after the pituitary glands stimulating
hormones – LH and FSH – are repressed,
so the body stops producing testosterone naturally.
infertility can result, as can other serious physical,
mental, and social consequences.
Anabolic steroids have varying effects and 
symptoms from individual to individual.
Some experience side effects quite quickly;
others get fewer or after a longer period of use.
Side-effects depend on the type 
of steroid being taken, the dose genes,
and how old an individual was when they started.
In Norway, the specialist health service providing 
substance use disorder treatment is responsible for
this patient group and coordinating
necessary health services.
Want more information? 
You can contact the steroid project by email.
