Safe Steroid Use: Tips to Minimize Side Effects in 2025

Safe Steroid Use

What are Steroids?

Anabolic-androgenic steroids are powerful prescription drugs that some athletes use for non-medical purposes, such as enhancing performance, gaining muscle mass, and building their physiques. Also called steroids, steroid liquids, enhancers, or pumps, steroids mimic testosterone, the natural male hormone. Some athletes confuse them with corticosteroids, a completely different type of steroid used to treat asthma, arthritis, and other conditions.

Steroids can be administered orally (in pill form) like Anavar 10mg tablet, by injection, or through a patch. Some athletes take very high doses, called “megadoses,” or increase doses over a long period of time, a process called “pyramidalization.” Some athletes use multiple steroids in cycles. Taking multiple steroids at the same time, sometimes in combination with other medications, is called “stacking.”

Because of the dangers of steroid use, most professional and amateur sports organizations have banned them. These organizations include the International Olympic Committee, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCA), and the National Football League (NFL).

How are steroids Harmful?

Steroid use always causes side effects and places a significant strain on the body. High doses do not produce rapid results, and cyclical use is dangerous. Combining steroids is dangerous. Some side effects disappear when treatment is discontinued, but others persist. Side effects that may occur in both male and female teens include:

• Acne (especially on the face and back)
• Hair loss
• High blood pressure, bad cholesterol, heart disease
• Blood clots and stroke
• Sleep disturbances
• Liver damage or liver cancer
• Headaches, joint pain, muscle cramps
• Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
• Delayed growth in teen athletes
• Increased risk of ligament and tendon injuries
• Impotence (erectile dysfunction) and breast and nipple growth (in teens assigned male at birth)
• Breast shrinkage, increased facial and body hair, and menstrual irregularities (in teens assigned female at birth)
• Mental health effects, including:
• “Steroid rage”: Intense, aggressive behavior that can lead to fights and property damage
• Severe mood swings
• Hallucinations: Seeing or hearing things that aren’t there
• Paranoia: Extreme suspicion or fear
• or Anxiety and panic attacks
• or Depression and suicidal thoughts

In addition, people who inject steroids. People who use steroid needles and share them with others are at increased risk of contracting serious infections such as hepatitis and HIV.

Short-Term Effects of Steroids

People who abuse anabolic steroids do so in the hopes of gaining additional benefits, such as improved physical performance and muscle growth.

However, using them to improve strength and performance can also lead to many unwanted short-term side effects, such as:

• Acne
• Mood swings
• Fatigue
• Restlessness/irritability
• Loss of appetite
• Sleep disturbances
• Decreased sperm count
• Impotence

Anabolic steroids are usually administered as a liquid injection into the muscle, which can cause infection and inflammation at the injection site. Steroid creams may produce a strong odor upon application.

Side-effects and Risks

As with all medications, side effects can occur. They are more common with high doses or prolonged use of steroids.

Your doctor will try to prescribe the lowest possible dose of steroids to control your symptoms. They may also prescribe medications, such as proton pump inhibitors, to protect your stomach.

Side effects of steroids:

Tablets, liquids, and water-soluble tablets

• Weight gain and increased appetite
• Upset stomach, indigestion, or heartburn
• Sleep disturbances
• Mood swings
• Frequent bruising
• Thinning of the skin
• Stretch marks

Creams and gels

• Burning or stinging sensation where the cream is applied
• Skin color changes
• Thinning of the skin
• Stretch marks
• Increased hair growth where the cream is applied

Eye drops and ointments

• Burning or stinging sensation in the eyes after applying the drops
• Strange taste in the mouth after applying the drops

Steroid treatment can cause mood swings. You may feel euphoric or depressed. This is a common symptom in people with a history of mood swings. If in doubt, consult the doctor who prescribed the steroids.

Long-term use of steroid tablets may increase the risk of infection. Tell your doctor or rheumatologist if you experience fever, malaise, or new symptoms after starting steroid treatment.

If you have chickenpox, shingles, or measles, or have been in contact with someone who has these conditions, tell your doctor or rheumatologist immediately. In people taking steroids, these symptoms may be severe and require additional treatment until they improve.

Long-term use of steroids can also cause muscle weakness and disrupt the menstrual cycle in women.

Is it possible to take steroids safely?

The answer is no. However, we know that many people continue to take steroids without understanding the side effects and don’t always know when to seek medical help.

If you’re taking steroids, it’s important to know the risks and act accordingly.

1. Be informed: Educate yourself and understand what you’re taking. It’s common for some people to think they’re taking one steroid when they’re actually taking another.
2. Don’t share needles or medications: If you inject steroids, get clean needles from a needle exchange.
3. Be informed: Steroids are dangerous substances. Some people turn to fitness experts for advice; don’t. Trust the science.
4. Stay healthy: Good health in all aspects of life can help reduce the risks associated with steroid use. Eat a balanced diet and drink plenty of fluids, avoid smoking and alcohol, and manage your chronic conditions.
5. Monitor the health of your internal organs: Although you may notice changes in your physical health, the effects of steroids on the health of your internal organs are not always visible. Therefore, it is recommended to self-monitor regularly.

References

Steroid use: What teens need to know. (2024b). Fort Wayne Pediatrics. https://fwpeds.com/Steroids-Play-Safe-Play-Fair

DrugAbuse.com. (2025, July 30). Effects of steroids | Short & Long-Term Effects of Steroid use. https://drugabuse.com/stimulants/steroids/effects-use/

Grant, D., & Grant, D. (2023, June 23). Are steroids ever safe? Medichecks. https://www.medichecks.com/blogs/sports-performance/are-steroids-ever-safe?srsltid=AfmBOopKMNnv9dvlSVQPaMADpsYqRsC4Vt6RaBdI0Bk9SmubK79tYvP6

Steroids. (n.d.). Versus Arthritis. https://versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/treatments/drugs/steroids/