How can anabolic steroid use affect bone growth in young athletes?

The use of anabolic steroids by young athletes can have serious, irreversible consequences for skeletal development. While these substances may initially stimulate linear growth for a limited period, their use—particularly in large doses—ultimately suppresses bone growth.1

This occurs because anabolic steroids, which are synthetic analogs of testosterone, hasten skeletal maturation and lead to premature epiphyseal closure (the sealing of the growth plates at the ends of the bones). Once these plates fuse, further longitudinal bone growth is no longer possible, which can result in stunted growth in teenagers and young adults.123

It is ethically imperative to recognize that the pursuit of athletic performance or body image goals through the use of such substances poses significant risks to a young person's long-term physical health and development. Beyond the impact on bone growth, the use of these compounds is associated with numerous other severe health risks, including heart disease, liver damage, and psychiatric dysfunction.23