Why are steroids widely used by athletes?

There are controversial points of view about anabolic steroids. Consumers praise these preparations because they cause significant benefits. Experts conduct different studies, trying to determine whether these preparations are safe for administration. Sports organizations ban administration of these preparations because they have great impact on performance. When it comes to governments of some countries, they have made purchases, intake and sale of anabolic steroids illicit. Thus, those that are caught violating these laws may be enforced to pay a fine and/or go to jail.
You may come across a lot of articles that blame steroids for certain crimes. However there are many affirmations about these products, the most of people don’t understand the essence of these medicines.
Anabolic-androgenic steroids can increase muscle mass and help to gain great strength. While anabolic properties of these preparations induce building new muscles, androgenic properties are responsible for development of male sexual characteristics.
What promoted development of these medicines? It is known that there were a lot of battles between various cultures since ancient time. Thus, different cultures tried to introduce something that could help soldiers to be brave and have strength enough to win. They administered rhinoceros horn, shark tooth and other some extracts. Later testicles of animals began to be studied. It promoted introduction of anabolic steroids.
 The hormone androstenone was isolated from many other compounds in 1930 for the first time by the scientist Adolf Butenandt. Then other hormones were synthesized. By 1939 the hormone testosterone, a basis of current anabolic steroids, was synthesized.
1940s and 1950s were years of great steroid development. Many studies were conducted in various countries in the whole world. Specialists studied influence of these drugs on performance of athletes and bodybuilders. Some physicians promoted usage of steroids among professional sportspersons. John Ziegler was one of them. He administered Dianabol to Olympic athletes.
Steroids were also widely applied in the world of sports and bodybuilding in 1960s and in 1970. More than 50 % Olympic athletes administered these medicines. Although new kinds of tests were introduced by anti-doping agencies, it was impossible to combat using these medicines by sportspersons.
Nowadays more sophisticated tests for steroids and other related products have been introduced. Nevertheless, these products are still widely applied in the world of sports and bodybuilding. Clever users know certain ways to apply steroids and remain undetectable.