Anabolic steroids, technically known as
anabolic-androgenic steroids (
AAS), are drugs that are structurally related to the cyclic
steroid rings system and have similar effects to
testosterone in the body. They increase protein within cells, especially in
skeletal muscles. Anabolic steroids also have
androgenic and
virilizing properties, including the development and maintenance of
masculine characteristics such as the growth of the
vocal cords and body hair (secondary sexual characteristics). The word
anabolic, referring to
anabolism, comes from the Greek ἀναβολή
anabole, "that which is thrown up, mound", and the word
androgenic from the Greek ἀνδρός
andros, "of a man" + -γενής
-genes, "born".