Polypharmacy among anabolic-androgenic steroid users : a descriptive metasynthesis / Dominic Sagoe, Jim McVeigh, Astrid Bjørnebekk, Marie-Stella Essilfie, Cecilie Schou Andreassen, Ståle Pallesen. - (Substance Abuse Treatment, Prevention, and Policy 10 (2015) 12 (15 March); p. 1-19).

• PMID: 25888931.
• PMCID: PMC4377045.
• DOI: 10.1186/s13011-015-0006-5

Abstract

Background: As far as we are aware, no previous systematic review and synthesis of the qualitative/descriptive literature on polypharmacy in anabolic-androgenic steroid(s) (AAS) users has been published.

Method: We systematically reviewed and synthesized qualitative/descriptive literature gathered from searches in electronic databases and by inspecting reference lists of relevant literature to investigate AAS users' polypharmacy. We adhered to the recommendations of the UK Economic and Social Research Council's qualitative research synthesis manual and the PRISMA guidelines.

Results: A total of 50 studies published between 1985 and 2014 were included in the analysis. Studies originated from 10 countries although most originated from United States (n=22), followed by Sweden (n=7), England only (n=5), and the United Kingdom (n=4). It was evident that prior to their debut, AAS users often used other licit and illicit substances. The main ancillary/supplementary substances used were alcohol, and cannabis/cannabinoids followed by cocaine, growth hormone, and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), amphetamine/meth, clenbuterol, ephedra/ephedrine, insulin, and thyroxine. Other popular substance classes were analgesics/opioids, dietary/nutritional supplements, and diuretics. Our classification of the various substances used by AAS users resulted in 13 main groups. These non-AAS substances were used mainly to enhance the effects of AAS, combat the side effects of AAS, and for recreational or relaxation purposes, as well as sexual enhancement.

Conclusions: Our findings corroborate previous suggestions of associations between AAS use and the use of other licit and illicit substances. Efforts must be intensified to combat the debilitating effects of AAS-associated polypharmacy.

Van Renterghem P, Van Eenoo P, Delbeke FT. Population based evaluation of a multi-parametric steroid profiling on administered endogenous steroids in single low dose. Steroids. 2010 Dec 12;75(13-14):1047-57. Epub 2010 Aug 3.

Pornography use in sexual minority males : Associations with body dissatisfaction, eating disorder symptoms, thoughts about using anabolic steroids and quality of life / Scott Griffiths, Deborah Mitchison, Stuart B. Murray, Jonathan M. Mond. - (Australian & New Zealnd Journal of Psychiatry 52 (2018) 4 (April); p. 339-348)

• PMID: 28891676
• DOI: 10.1177/0004867417728807

Abstract

Objective: We examined two hypotheses regarding the potential association of pornography use with body image-related and eating disorder-related psychopathology among sexual minority males (i.e. non-heterosexual males). Our primary hypothesis was that pornography use would be associated with males' body dissatisfaction, eating disorder symptoms, thoughts about using anabolic steroids and quality of life impairment; our secondary hypothesis was that the type of pornography, namely, professional versus amateur pornography, which contains idealised and non-idealised (i.e. regular) bodies, respectively, would moderate these associations.

Methods: A sample of 2733 sexual minority males living in Australia and New Zealand completed an online survey that contained measures of pornography use, body dissatisfaction, eating disorder symptoms, thoughts about using anabolic steroids and quality of life.

Results: Almost all (98.2%) participants reported pornography use with a median use of 5.33 hours per month. Multivariate analyses revealed that increased pornography use was associated with greater dissatisfaction with muscularity, body fat and height; greater eating disorder symptoms; more frequent thoughts about using anabolic steroids; and lower quality of life. Effect sizes for these associations were uniformly small. Neither relationship status nor genital dissatisfaction was associated with pornography use. The association between pornography use and thoughts about using anabolic steroids was stronger for viewers of professional pornography than viewers of amateur pornography.

Conclusion: The findings suggest that the use of pornography is weakly associated with body dissatisfaction and related variables and that the type of pornography (amateur vs professional) viewed may be a moderating factor in some cases. Within the limits of a cross-sectional study design, these findings may have implications for clinicians who treat individuals with eating disorders, body dysmorphic disorder, anabolic-androgenic steroid dependence and related concerns.

Fight against doping : statistical data 2003 / National Anti-Doping Council Portugal. - Lisbon : Conselho Nacional Antidopagem (CNAD), 2004

Fight against doping : statistical data 2004 / National Anti-Doping Council Portugal. - Lisbon : Conselho Nacional Antidopagem (CNAD), 2005

Fight against doping : statistical data 2005 / National Anti-Doping Council Portugal. - Lisbon : Conselho Nacional Antidopagem (CNAD), 2006

Fight against doping : statistical data 2006 / National Anti-Doping Council Portugal. - Lisbon : Conselho Nacional Antidopagem (CNAD), 2007

Fight against doping : statistical data 2007 / National Anti-Doping Council Portugal. - Lisbon : Conselho Nacional Antidopagem (CNAD), 2008

Fight against doping : statistical data 2008 / National Anti-Doping Council Portugal. - Lisbon : Conselho Nacional Antidopagem (CNAD), 2009

Fight against doping in sport : statistical data 2009 / Anti-Doping Authority Portugal. - Lisbon : Autoridade Antidopagem de Portugal (ADoP), 2010