anabolic steroid

a synthetic male sex HORMONE (that mimicks ANDROGEN ) used to enhance tissue growth by promoting the build-up of PROTEIN , e.g. to enhance MUSCLE bulk. Anabolic steroids are used medically to aid weight gain after wasting illnesses and to promote growth in children with certain types of DWARFISM . They may also be used in the treatment of OSTEOPOROSIS . They should not be taken by healthy people as they have serious SIDE EFFECTS , especially after prolonged use, and have been misused by athletes.