Some athletes will use performance enhancing drugs to help them advance in their sporting career. Performance enhancing drugs have become common because those in the sports industry seek to gain more finances, medals, trophies, and fame. According to Mayo Clinic that is located in Minnesota, these are the most common performance-enhancing drugs being used in sports.

Anabolic steroid

This drug increases the strength and mass of muscles. It also helps in the production of testosterone. It also helps athletes recover from workouts by reducing muscle damage. The risks of taking this drugs for men are, developing of small breasts, going bald, shrinking of testicles, infertility, impotence and the enlargement of the prostate glands.

In women, the drug may make them develop a deeper voice, have an enlarged clitoris, have a lot of body hair, go bald and have absent or infrequent periods. Other side effects of the drug for both genders include tendon rupture, liver abnormalities, tumors, hypertension, heart and blood circulation problems, aggressive behaviors, rage or violence as well as depression.


The supplements of this drug allow athletes to recover quickly as well as train harder. Its side effects in men include reduced sperm production, shrinking testicles and the development of the breasts. Women will tend to look muscular after taking the drug, have a deep voice or will become bald.

Human growth hormone

Athletes take this medication to enhance their muscle mass and performance.

The risks of taking this drug include joint pains, muscle weakness, vision problems, the enlargement of the heart, high cholesterol, diabetes as well as High Blood Pressure.


This medication helps in the production of red blood cells and hemoglobin. The results are an improved movement of oxygen to the muscles. The risks of taking this drug are stroke and heart attack.


This drug changes the body's fluid and salt balance and thus causes dehydration. It dilutes the urine and thus helps athletes pass drug tests. The risks of taking this drug are, dehydration, muscle cramps, dizziness, potassium deficiency, drop in blood pressure, loss of coordination and balance and even death.


This drug is available over the counter.

The drug enables muscles to produce more energy. It is mostly used in sprint and weight lifting. The risks of taking this drug are, the development of stomach and muscle cramps, weight gain, dehydration, and damage to kidney and liver.


This medication stimulates the nervous system. It also stimulates high blood pressure and heart rate. It improves endurance, reduces fatigue, suppresses appetite and increases aggressiveness. The risks of taking it are nervousness and irritability which makes it hard for athletes to concentrate. It also causes insomnia, dehydration, heatstroke, heart rhythm abnormalities, weight loss, hallucinations, stroke, heart attack and other circulatory problems.

Other performance enhancing drugs that are used in sports that are not on this list are somatotropin, ephedrine, cocaine, boldenone, Vicodin, Oxycontin, diuretics, tamoxifen albuterol, propranolol, marijuana, and stanozolol.

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