Performance Enhancing Drugs + Anabolic Steroids

If you are worried about performance in your sport or your appearance, please talk to your athletic trainer. There are tons  of great options when it comes to enhancing your sports performance or your appearance. For example: 

  • Talk with your athletic trainer, who can discuss healthy diet and exercise that can help you reach your goals. She can also put you in touch with a registered dietician who can further help you achieve your performance and appearance goals. 
  • Focus on hydration, healthy diet, and getting plenty of rest to give you an advantage on the field. 
  • Never trust gimmick or quick-fix diets or supplements. 
Resources

National Institute on Drug Abuse 
American Academy of Pediatrics 
Mayo Clinic
NFHS 
Taylor Hooton Foundation

Health Risks of Anabolic Steroids + Performance Enhancing Drugs
Males: 
Breast Development (gynecomastia) 
Balding
Shrunken Testicles
Infertility
Impotence
Females:
A Deep Voice (can be permanent) 
Increased Body/Facial Hair
Baldness
Changes in Menstrual Cycle (amenorrhea) 
Males & Females 
  • Severe acne
  • Increased risk of tendinitis and tendon rupture
  • Liver abnormalities and tumors
  • Increased low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (the "bad" cholesterol)
  • Decreased high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (the "good" cholesterol)
  • High blood pressure (hypertension)
  • Heart and circulatory problems
  • Prostate gland enlargement
  • Aggressive behaviors, rage or violence
  • Psychiatric disorders, such as depression
  • Drug dependence
  • Infections or diseases such as HIV or hepatitis if you're injecting the drugs
  • Inhibited growth and development, and risk of future health problems in teenagers
  • Death in severe cases 

Other Risks Associated with AAS + PEDs

  • Use of anabolic steroids or other performance enhancing drugs is highly discouraged and prohibited by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS), Washington Interscholastic Athletics Association (WIAA), and the Issaquah School District. 
  • Penalties for use, possession or selling of controlled substances, such as anabolic steroids, may include ineligibility for the sports season, the entire year, or permanent high school ineligibility.
  • The possession and use of anabolic steroids without a prescription is illegal.



If you know someone using steroids or other performance enhancing drugs, please let your coach, athletic trainer, or other trusted adult know so we can get them back on the right track. This will be kept in strict confidence. 

Make the right choice. No steroid or other performance enhancing drug is worth the long-term health risks.