Since their discovery anabolic steroids (AAS) have been widely used
as an ergogenic aid to improve performance in sports, to improve
one's physical appearance or in self-medication for injury
recovery or as an anti-aging aid. Use of anabolic steroids for
purposes other than treating medical conditions has been
controversial. Over time, major sports organizations have
increasingly moved to stem AAS use, and were successful in lobbying
to have their use and possession criminalized. This has triggered
an arms race between users and testing laboratories, resulting in a
wide range of health concerns for users. In the general population,
legislation in many countries now restricts and criminalizes AAS
possession and trade. A political countercurrent has formed in some
of these countries.
