Steroids and other performance enhancing drugs

As your child progresses through adolescence, they often have an increasing pressure to perform in sports or to look a certain way aesthetically. 

It’s important for parents and carers to discuss how to perform well and be healthy inside and out safely whilst playing sports or lifting weights. As mentioned in the drivers of risk taking behaviour, adolescents usually see the reward of a behaviour before fully assessing the risk. 

  • Anabolic steroids are scientifically formulated chemicals to mimic the natural human hormone, testosterone.
  • This is the primary hormone in males which can alter the development of body hair, sex organ production, sex drive and a deepening of the voice.
  • Its use in sports performance is linked to the improvement of muscle and tissue repair and growth.  

Defining anabolic androgenic steroids

  • Anabolic: relates to tissue building and muscle development
  • Androgenic: relates to male producing hormones

Steroids can be taken in a range of different ways. Most commonly they are injected intramuscularly but can also be taken as an oral tablet or applied as a cream on the surface of the skin. 

While steroid use is not overly common in Australia with 0.8% of the population reporting any use over their lifetime, the negative health effects can be extensive. 

Short term effects of steroid use

  • Acne
  • Increased aggression and mood changes known as “roid rage”
  • Anxiety and depression
  • Overly competitive nature

Long term effects of steroid use

  • Stunting of growth in children and adolescents
  • Heart problems including abnormal rhythms or risk of heart attacks
  • Increased cholesterol
  • Kidney and liver damage leading to tumours
  • Jaundice (yellowing of the skin)
  • Reduced immune function
  • Infertility 

Other side effects specific to males

  • Baldness
  • Shrinking testicles
  • Enlarged prostate
  • Development of breast tissue 

Other side effects specific to females

  • Hair growth on the face, back and bottom
  • Hair loss
  • Reduced breast size
  • Enlarged clitoris
  • Problems with the menstrual cycle 

Other performance enhancing drugs 

Steroids are often the most recognised performance enhancing drug, but there are many others which can improve physical performance in sports. Depending on the sport, certain substances are used to stimulate bodily functions, depress or slow down the central nervous system or help with muscle growth through hormone manipulation. 

Legal and safe performance enhancers include 

  • Creatine: a naturally occurring compound which is also sold over the counter to improve short-term, high-intensity performance.
  • Caffeine: is naturally found in coffee beans and can help improve performance and reduce the rate of perceived exertion for endurance, high-intensity and power sports. See more on the Sports drinks and caffeine section to find out what may be safe levels of caffeine for children. 

If your child wishes to utilise any of these aspects of sports nutrition, you should contact a qualified Sports Dietitian.  

Illegal or banned performance enhancers include

  • Anabolic-androgenic steroids
  • Androgen receptor modulators
  • Stimulants, such as amphetamines
  • Peptide hormones or human growth hormones
  • Tanning agents like Melanotan 

Visit the Sports Integrity Australia website if you would like to read more information on which substances are permitted in Australian sports.