Since the discovery and synthesis of testosterone in the 1930s, anabolic steroids have been used by physicians for many purposes, with varying degrees of success. Androgens are given to many boys distressed about extreme delay of puberty. Testosterone is now nearly the only androgen used for this purpose and has been shown to increase height, weight, and fat-free mass in boys with delayed puberty. Testosterone enanthate has frequently been used as a male contraceptive and it is thought that in the near future it could be used as a safe, reliable, and reversible male contraceptive. Anabolic steroids have been found in some studies to increase lean body mass and prevent bone loss in elderly men. However, a 2006 placebo-controlled trial of low-dose testosterone supplementation in elderly men with low levels of testosterone found no benefit on body composition, physical performance, insulin sensitivity, or quality of life.

Anabolic Steroids are also used in hormone replacement therapy for men with low levels of testosterone and are also effective in improving libido for elderly males. Used to treat gender dysmorphia (the belief that one was born the wrong gender) by producing secondary male characteristics, such as a deeper voice, increased bone and muscle mass, facial hair, increased levels of red blood cells and clitoral enlargement in female-to-male patients. Anabolic steroids, or to be precise 'anabolic androgenic steroids' are the synthetic derivatives of the naturally occurring male anabolic hormone testosterone. Both anabolic and androgenic have origins from the Greek: Anabolic meaning to 'Build' and androgenic meaning 'masculinising'. Anabolic steroids are used by many athletes to build muscle and other tissues in the body. The hormones anabolic effect helps the body retain dietary protein. While anabolic steroids will help to build muscle they are not magic, you will have to put in a lot of work as well.

There are also side-effects associated with anabolic steroids, possible side-effects for some men are reduced sperm count, impotence, development of breasts, premature baldnessand acne. Although anabolic steroids are derived from a male sex hormone, men who take them may actually experience a 'feminisation' effect along with a decrease in normal male sexual function. Women often experience a ‘masculinisation’ effect which can include deepening of the voice, facial hair, acne, breast reduction plus menstrual cycle changes premature baldness, acne, cessation of natural production of hormones and increased body hair. Both sexes with the continued use of anabolic steroids can experience the following effects ranging from a bloated appearance to clotting disorders and liver damage plus elevated cholesterol levels. Anabolic steroids can also cause severe mood swings. A person's psychological state can go from bouts of depression or extreme irritability to feelings of invincibility and outright aggression, commonly called 'Roid Rage'.

There are many ways to look at the different types of anabolic steroids depending on how you want to classify them. The different types of steroids are based on their medical definitions, there are different types of steroids within each of these medical definitions and there are different types of steroids based on how they are administered. The first of the types of steroids includes corticosteroids where are steroids related to the hormones in the body that are associated with the adrenal cortex. These are often steroids that are found as prescription and over-the-counter creams used to treat rashes and other topical ailments. Today there are more than 100 different variations of anabolic steroids. The most powerful androgen is testosterone although testosterone is mainly a mature male hormone; the female body produces smaller amounts. There are many testosterone compounds available, popular with athletes and body-builders are testosterone cypionate and testosterone enanthate which are used to increase the rate of protein synthesis within cells and the building of cellular tissue (anabolism) is especially noticeable in muscles.

The second of the types of steroids are those associated with the female sex hormones estrogens and progestogens. They are often found in prescription birth control. The last of the types of steroids are androgens which are those related to the male sex hormone testosterone. Androgens are used medically for many reasons including for treatment of female breast cancer, weight gain and growth stimulation. This is also the type of steroids that are used by athletes and bodybuilders to help increase lean muscle mass and strength. There are multiple types of steroids each with there own characteristics, benefits and side effects. For example, androgenic steroids, also known as anabolic androgenic steroids have their own mixture of anabolic and androgenic characteristics and its own benefits and also list a range of side-effects. Anabolic steroids can be taken orally or they can be injected. Steroids that are injected are broken down into additional categories, very long lasting and those that last a shorter time. In recent years, the use has shifted to the latter category shorter lasting, water-soluble injectable steroids. Such as, Stanozolol, the reason is that the side effects associated for the oral form were discovered to be especially worrisome for the liver.

The other way to classify the types of steroids is by how they are administered. One of the types of steroids is a topical administration which is a cream, lotion or ointment. Other types of steroids are the kinds that are administered by injection these steroids either come in liquid form or in powder form that needs to be mixed with water. Finally, the last of the types of steroids are those that come as tablets to be swallowed.