Steroids belong to a class of lipids that are characterized on the basis of 17 carbon atoms arranged in four fused rings. Present in humans, plants and animals, they mostly function as hormones. Natural or synthetic steroids are used in health care for treating various diseases.

Steroids play a vital role in reducing deaths from a number of diseases like asthma. Steroids can be pain-relieving medications for patients suffering from severe cancers as their life expectancy is short and the question of long term side-effects does not arise.

Steroid use in medicine is limited due to increasingly serious side effects on the body. Instances of acute ill health necessitate high doses of steroids, which are gradually lessened. Heavy dosage and prolonged use of steroids can result in steroid addiction, high blood pressure, sleeping disorders, weakening of the immune system, unwanted hair growth, aggressive behavior, and menstrual disorders. Steroids may also cause calcium loss, thereby resulting in the weakened bones that fracture and break easily. People using steroids experience increased hunger, and tend to gain body weight, but they are prone to diabetes. High doses of steroids can also cause the death of patients from chest infections and related problems.

Steroids are often used illegally to enhance the performance of athletes and bodybuilders. Owing to the diverse harmful effects, steroids are banned in many sports events and athletic competitions, including the Olympics.

The use of steroids is more risky for teenagers, as rapid changes occur to the body during that stage of development. Steroid use can cause bones to stop growing and cause younger people to reach puberty at a very early stage. Moreover, the syringes used by teenagers in injecting steroids can cause additional risks such as infection with HIV, and Hepatitis B or Hepatitis C. It is widely evident that there is an increasing use of steroids and strict measures and intervention are necessary to do away with this issue.