The sexual impact of androgenic anabolic steroid abuse an understudied phenomena

Abstract

Anabolic steroids are becoming increasingly more common even amongst non-athletes. A recent meta analysis estimates 6.4% of men and 1.3% of women have used androgenic compounds to aid in sports or muscle building [1]. Although these compounds are being increasingly commonly used, only 37% of patients seek advice from health care providers in regard to their steroid use [2]. Many physicians will encounter the impacts of androgenic compounds before their patients report use.

Androgenic anabolic steroids (AAS) have been shown to increase libido and sexual function in humans when patients are hypogonadal [3]. There is little evidence exploring the impact of supraphysiologic doses in humans. We have summarized the current literature surrounding AAS abusers and seek to encourage further study of this population.