Their use depends on the patient's diagnosis, medical history, and treatment requirements.

Certain hormone deficiencies: Testosterone therapy may Anabolic steroids  be prescribed for men with clinically confirmed testosterone deficiency.
Muscle-wasting conditions: Certain anabolic agents have been used to help patients experiencing significant muscle loss.
3. Specific types of anemia: Some steroid medications have historically been prescribed to support red blood cell production in selected conditions.
4. Certain delayed growth conditions: Specialists may use hormonal treatments in carefully selected cases.
Medical treatment requires professional assessment because different conditions need different medications and monitoring approaches.
Common Types of Anabolic Steroids
Several anabolic-androgenic steroids exist, and they differ in their chemical structures, medical applications, and potential side effects.

Common examples include:
- Testosterone: A naturally occurring hormone that is also available in medically prescribed forms.
- Nandrolone: An anabolic steroid that has had specific medical applications in certain countries.
- Oxandrolone: A synthetic steroid historically used for selected medical conditions involving weight loss and muscle wasting.
- Stanozolol: A synthetic anabolic steroid that has had limited medical applications.
- Methandienone: An anabolic steroid associated primarily with nonmedical performance enhancement.
The availability and legal status of these substances vary between countries.
Potential Benefits of Anabolic Steroids
When used for appropriate medical reasons, anabolic steroids may provide benefits to patients with specific health conditions.

Potential effects include:
- Supporting muscle mass in selected muscle-wasting conditions.
- Helping improve strength in certain medically supervised situations.
- Supporting treatment of particular hormone-related disorders.
- Improving recovery of body tissues in selected clinical circumstances.
However, these potential benefits do not mean anabolic steroids are safe or appropriate for healthy individuals seeking cosmetic or athletic improvements.
Health Risks and Side Effects
Nonmedical anabolic steroid use can cause serious health problems. The risks depend on the substance,