With so many different stories and explanations out there, it's difficult to tell what are steroids. Steroids are very complex which is why there are many different views on what are steroids. Some people describe what are steroids by explaining the medical uses. Other people describe what are steroids by explaining how they help them improve their appearance and enhance their performance. Still other people describe what are steroids by explaining the potentially harmful side effects from using steroids.

Before understanding how steroids are used, it's important to understand exactly what are steroids. Steroids, sometimes called anabolic steroids or anabolic androgenic steroids, are man-made substances meant to emulate male sex hormones. When steroids are put into the body, they work like testosterone and fill in "holes" in the cells called receptors. When these receptors are filled, the cells know to make proteins. These proteins are then used by the body to make body tissues such as muscle. The more receptors that are filled the more protein the cells will produce (up to the point that all cell receptors are filled). Since males naturally have more testosterone in their bodies, it's easy to see why they tend to have more muscle mass than females. So that is what steroids are and how they work.

Medical professionals who prescribed steroids have another definition of what are steroids. What steroids are to medical professionals is a treatment for some illnesses and conditions such as chronic wasting where the patients need help rebuilding body tissues. This is also why athletes and body builders like to use steroids to help them gain more muscle, strength and athletic ability.

Other people describe what are steroids by explaining the potential for harmful side effects. What are steroids side effects? Steroid side effects include kidney and liver damage, elevated cholesterol levels, raised blood pressure and the potential for cardiovascular disease and damage. Additionally, there are other side effects such as increased acne, premature balding, virilization and gynocomastia.