Reprints
A single copy of this article may be reprinted for personal, noncommercial use only.
Performance-enhancing drugs and teen athletes
By Mayo Clinic staffOriginal Article: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/performance-enhancing-drugs/SM00045
Tween and teen health (24)
- Strength training: OK for kids?
- Healthy body image: Tips for guiding girls
- Dehydration and youth sports: Curb the risk
- see all in Tween and teen health
Tween health (6)
- Menstruation: Preparing your preteen for her period
- Inhalant abuse: Is your child at risk?
- Bullying: Help your child handle a school bully
- see all in Tween health
Teen health (22)
- Teen weight loss: Healthy habits count
- Teenage pregnancy: Consider the options
- Teen eating disorders: Tips to protect your teen
- see all in Teen health
Free
E-newsletter
Subscribe to Housecall
Our weekly general interest
e-newsletter keeps you up to date
on a wide variety of health topics.
Mayo Clinic Housecall
Stay up to date on the latest health information.
What you get
- Free weekly e-newsletter
- Mayo Clinic expertise
- Recipes, tools and other helpful information
- We do not share your e-mail address
Performance-enhancing drugs and teen athletes
Performance-enhancing drugs can be tempting for teen athletes. Understand the warning signs and what you can do to keep your teen from using shortcuts to improve athletic performance.
By Mayo Clinic staffCarpools. Practices. Games. If you're the parent of a teen athlete, your life is probably as hectic as your child's. It's important, however, to make time to talk to your teen about the dangers of performance-enhancing drugs. By setting rules and consequences and explaining the possible health effects of drug use, you can help your teen steer clear of performance-enhancing drugs.
What are the most common performance-enhancing drugs?
For teens, the most common performance-enhancing drugs and supplements include:
- Creatine. Creatine is a naturally occurring compound in the body that's also sold as an over-the-counter supplement. It's primarily used to enhance recovery after a workout and increase muscle mass and strength. Creatine is popular with athletes who participate in football, gymnastics, hockey and wrestling. Side effects include weight gain, nausea, muscle cramps and kidney damage.
- Anabolic steroids. Anabolic steroids are synthetic versions of the hormone testosterone, used to build muscle and increase strength. They're popular with football players and weightlifters. Use of anabolic steroids can cause heart and liver damage, halt bone growth, and result in a permanently short stature.
- Steroid precursors. Steroid precursors, such as androstenedione ("andro") and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), are substances that the body converts into anabolic steroids. They're used to increase muscle mass. Most steroid precursors are illegal without a prescription. DHEA, however, is still available in over-the-counter preparations. Side effects of steroid precursors are similar to those for steroids.
Why do teens take performance-enhancing drugs?
Some teens experiment with performance-enhancing drugs as a way to cope with insecurities, the difficulties of fitting in with a group of peers or a desire for independence. Others may be influenced by societal pressure to win at all costs.
Common risk factors for teen use of performance-enhancing drugs include:
- A desire to gain muscle mass or strength
- A negative body image or a tendency to compare one's appearance with others'
- Pressure from parents or peers regarding weight or muscles
- Being male — boys are more likely to use performance-enhancing drugs than are girls
What can parents do to stop use of performance-enhancing drugs?
You can take various steps to prevent your teen from using performance-enhancing drugs or supplements. For example:
- Discuss ethics and proper training. Remind your teen that using a performance-enhancing drug is similar to cheating and, more importantly, could lead to serious health problems. Explain that a healthy diet and rigorous training are the true keys to athletic performance.
- Be clear about your expectations. Tell your teen that you expect him or her to avoid performance-enhancing drugs. Set rules and explain the consequences of breaking them. For example, if your teen uses performance-enhancing drugs, he or she has to quit the team.
- Get involved. Attend games and practices. Encourage your teen's coaches, school and sports organizations to discourage the use of performance-enhancing drugs. Reassure your teen of your love and support, regardless of his or her competitive performance.
- Monitor your teen's purchases. Check the ingredients of any over-the-counter products your teen uses. Watch for performance-enhancing drug paraphernalia, such as vials, resealable plastic bags and hypodermic needles.
What are the warning signs of performance-enhancing drug use?
Possible red flags include:
- Behavioral, emotional or psychological changes — particularly increased aggressiveness ("roid rage")
- Changes in body build, including muscle growth, rapid weight gain and development of the upper body
- Increased acne and facial bloating
- Needle marks in the buttocks or thighs
- Enlarged breasts in boys or smaller breasts in girls
What help is available for teens who take performance-enhancing drugs?
If you suspect that your teen is using performance-enhancing drugs, talk to him or her. Encourage your teen to be honest with you. If your teen admits to using performance-enhancing drugs, encourage him or her to stop immediately and offer a reminder of the health risks. Make an appointment for your teen to see his or her doctor for a medical evaluation and counseling. Consider informing your teen's coach, so he or she is aware of the problem. In addition, be sure to tell your teen that you're disappointed and enforce the consequences that you've established — such as quitting the team. Most importantly, emphasize the healthy alternatives to achieving his or her goals.
Don't put off talking with your teen about performance-enhancing drugs. Help your teen understand the risks, as well as healthier ways to support athletic performance and a good body image.
- Castillo EM, et al. Prevalence of use of performance-enhancing substances among United States adolescents. Pediatric Clinics of North America. 2007;54:663.
- Tips for teens: The truth about steroids. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. http://www.drugfreeinfo.org/PDFs/tipssteroids.PDF. Accessed Nov. 1, 2010.
- National Institute on Drug Abuse research report series: Anabolic steroid abuse. National Institute on Drug Abuse. http://www.nida.nih.gov/PDF/RRSteroids.pdf. Accessed Nov. 1, 2010.
- Steroid precursors can block teen athletes from their goals. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. http://family.samhsa.gov/be/athblocked.aspx. Accessed Oct. 24, 2008.
- Gregory AJM, et al. Sports medicine: Performance-enhancing drugs. Pediatric Clinics of North America. 2007;54:797.
- American Academy of Pediatrics' Committee on Sports Medicine and Fitness. Use of performance-enhancing substances. Pediatrics. 2005;115:1103.
- van den Berg P, et al. Steroid use among adolescents: Longitudinal findings from project EAT. Pediatrics. 2007;119:476.
- Steroids: Not fair play. American Academy of Pediatrics. http://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/teen/substance-abuse/Pages/Steroids-Not-Fair-Play.aspx. Accessed Sept. 3, 2010.
- Anabolic steroids. American Academy of Pediatrics. http://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/teen/substance-abuse/Pages/Anabolic-Steroids.aspx. Accessed Sept. 3, 2010.
- Performance enhancing substances. American Academy of Pediatrics. http://www.healthychildren.org/English/healthy-living/sports/pages/Performance-Enhancing-Substances.aspx. Accessed Sept. 3, 2010.
- Fish L, et al. Supplements, steroid precursors and adolescent health. The Hormone Foundation. http://www.hormone.org/Resources/Abuse/upload/bilingual_steroid_precursors_fact_sheet.pdf. Accessed Sept. 7, 2010.
Find Mayo Clinic on