Devastation and shock waves permeated throughout the sports world when Canadian track superstar Ben Johnson was denied his gold medal at the 1998 Olympics after tests showed he had taken steroids. The incident brought international attention to the use of steroids among world-class athletes to gain competitive advantage. Yet, even after seeing the humiliation that Johnson endured, athletes and non-athletes both persist in taking them. Teenagers are taking steroids not just to excel in sports, but also to enhance their self-images. Without harming ones' health and without cheating, there are other ways to be a winner athletically and socially. Although many athletes are aware of the positive physical effects associated with steroid use, many do not know about the negative effects that may also occur.
             Anabolic steroids are the type of steroids that most athletes use to make them excel in sports. Anabolic steroids are synthetic compounds formulated to act like the male sex hormone testosterone (Meer 68). The two typical forms of anabolic steroids can be taken orally or can be injected into the bloodstream. Anabolic steroids aid body growth, defeat the effects of a female hormone, and cause physical features to become more male (Encarta).
             Some of the effects of steroids on men and women are similar, but the physical effects may differ. The reason that there are different effects on men verses women is
             because of the male hormone that is in steroids. The negative effects can lead to physical injuries and may become addicting. After taking steroids for a long period of time, both
             men and women may become aggressive and depressed (Meer 69). People taking steroids risk contracting HIV's and even dying (Goldman 34). Taking steroids increases in the blood cholesterol, which could eventually clog arteries, cause heart attacks, and stokes (Hanson 146). The skin is more susceptible to infection and bruising w...