Medical uses of Steroids
Medical uses of Steroids
Various anabolic steroids and related compounds.Anabolic steroids were tried by physicians for many purposes from the discovery of synthetic testosterone in the 1930s to the 1950s with varying success. One of the initial medical uses of steroids was treatment of chronic wasting, such as was experienced by Nazi concentration camp prisoners and prisoners of war. During World War II, German scientists worked on synthesizing other anabolic steroids, and ran experiments on human prisoners, as well as with their own soldiers. They had hoped to increase the aggressive tendencies of their troops. Adolf Hitler’s own physician reported that Hitler had been given testosterone derivative injections to treat various ailments.[31]
Bone marrow stimulation: For decades, anabolic steroids were the mainstay of therapy for hypoplastic anemias not due to nutrient deficiency, especially aplastic anemia. Anabolic steroids are slowly being replaced by synthetic protein hormones (such as epoetin alfa) that selectively stimulate growth of blood cell precursors.
Growth stimulation: Anabolic steroids were used heavily by pediatric endocrinologists for children with growth failure from the 1960s through the 1980s. Availability of synthetic growth hormone and increasing social stigmatization of anabolic steroids led to discontinuation of this use.
Stimulation of appetite and preservation and increase of muscle mass: Anabolic steroids have been given to people with chronic wasting conditions such as cancer and AIDS.[32][33]
Induction of male puberty: Androgens are given to many boys distressed about extreme delay of puberty. Testosterone is now nearly the only androgen used for this purpose but synthetic anabolic steroids were often used prior to the 1980s.
Testosterone enanthate may prove to be a useful, safe, reversible, effective method of male hormonal contraception in the near future.[34][35]
Used for age related problems in elderly people. Anabolic steroids have been shown to help in many age related problems in the elderly.[36]
Used in hormone replacement therapy for men with low levels of testosterone. (see hypogonadism)
Used for gender dysmorphia: whereby secondary male characteristics (puberty) are initiated in female-to-male diagnosed patients. Most commonly used testosterone derivatives are Sustanon and Testosterone Enanthate which cause the voice to deepen, increased bone and muscle mass, facial hair, increased levels of red blood cells and clitoral enlargement.
^ Grunfeld, C; Kotler DP, Dobs A, Glesby M, Bhasin S (2006 March). Oxandrolone in the treatment of HIV-associated weight loss in men: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr.
^ Berger, JR; Pall L, Hall CD, Simpson DM, Berry PS, Dudley R. (1996 December). Oxandrolone in AIDS-wasting myopathy.. AIDS.
^ Matsumoto, AM (1990 Jan). “Effects of chronic testosterone administration in normal men: safety and efficacy of high dosage testosterone and parallel dose-dependent suppression of luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and sperm production.”. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1 (70): 282-7. PMID 2104626. Retrieved on 2007-02-05.
^ Aribarg, A; Sukcharoen N, Chanprasit Y, Ngeamvijawat J, Kriangsinyos R. (1996 Oct). “Suppression of spermatogenesis by testosterone enanthate in Thai men.”. J Med Assoc Thai. 10 (79): 624-9.. PMID 8996996. Retrieved on 2007-02-05.
