Steroids for therapeutic and non-medical needs

There are three groups of steroids: corticosteroids, estrogens and progestogens, and anabolic-androgenic steroids.
Essence of corticosteroids is similar to that of hormones secreted in the adrenal cortex. Corticosteroids may be in form of creams, ointment, inhalation products, etc. They are applied to cure inflammations, allergic reactions, diseases of respiratory, nervous, musculoskeletal and other systems.
Estrogens and progestogens represent female sex hormones. These substances promote developing female secondary features. Birth control remedies contain these substances.
Anabolic-androgenic steroids are products that are also widely applied in medicine. They are able to treat several types of breast cancer, testicular cancer, anemia, etc. These preparations are frequently prescribed to get better and faster recovery after some operations. Burn victims, patients with HIV/AIDS take anabolic-androgenic steroids for prevention of muscle wasting. Certain steroids are also recommended to treat osteoporosis. These medicines are also applied for treatment of infertility.
Furthermore, anabolic-androgenic steroids are taken for athletic purposes. These medicines are capable to create muscles and enhance energy. That’s why a lot of athletes and bodybuilders use them for performance-enhancing effects. Several anabolic-androgenic steroids are capable also to burn fat, making muscles hard.
Intake of anabolic-androgenic steroids for non-therapeutic purposes is prohibited under laws of several countries. Those that manufacture, distribute, purchase and administer these drugs illegally may be sentenced to imprisonment and/or fines. These medicines belong to illegal substances in some countries because they may cause different negative results. While several negative reactions are slight and disappear after discontinuation of intake, others are dangerous and even irreversible. Those that desire to receive positive effects, administering steroids for therapeutic purposes, should take these products under recommendations of physicians.