Testosterone is the prototype of the synthetic anabolic androgenic steroid that was chemically produced the first time in 1935.

Testosterone is a male sex hormone, which regulates many functions in the human body. A man produces testosterone mainly in the testicles, a woman in the ovaries and the placenta. Both women and men produce testosterone in the adrenal cortex. Men produces daily 7mg testosterone and women 0.7 mg.  

Testosterone has both anabolic and androgenic effects.

The anabolic effect of testosterone is development of muscles and strength. It also regulate the maturity of skeleton. A young person who misuses AAS,  risks to develop skeleton mass to early, and after that stay in growth. 

The androgenic effect of testosterone is development of male characteristics such as deeper voice in puberty, growth of beard and hair on the chest.

Testosterone also has effects on the sexual function (potency and sexual instinct), the cognitive functions of the brain, and the development of red bloodcells. Testosterone influences the cholesterol levels in blood.

In medical treatment testosterone is used by treatment of male hypogonadism. It is also used when a transsexual woman wants to become a man.

Testosteron has the same side effects as other anabolic androgenic steroids.

Anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS)

AAS has both anabolic and androgenic effects. Artificial substances resembling the male sex hormone testosterone.

Substances:

There are hundreds of substances in the black market. The most common question to the Anti-Doping Hot-Line regarding tablets are: Winstrol (stanozolol) and methandienone from Russia and Thailand. In forms of injection: Deca-Durabol (nandrolone-decanoate) and Sustanon (testosterone). Some persons also use veterinary steroids such as Boldebal-H (boldenone) and Equipoise (boldenon undecylenat). The most common substances for misuse are: nandrolone-decanoate, stanozolol, testosterone, methandienone and oxymetholone.

Use in medical care:

AAS is rarely used in medical care. One reason is the risk of dangerous side-effects, another is the development of newer and more effective medicins. Today AAS is found in tablets, fluid for injection, capsules, gel and plaster. These medicins are used as substition in treatment of male hypogonadism or need for weight-gain.