What are steroids effective for?

There are three classes of steroids: corticosteroids, estrogens and progestogens, and anabolic-androgenic steroids.
Nature of corticosteroids is similar to that of hormones produced in the adrenal cortex. Corticosteroids may be in form of creams, ointment, inhalation drugs, etc. They are recommended to cure inflammations, allergy, illnesses of respiratory, nervous, musculoskeletal and other systems.
Estrogens and progestogens are female sex hormones. These substances induce developing female secondary features. Birth control pills contain these compounds.
Anabolic-androgenic steroids are medications that are also widely used in medicine. They are able to treat certain types of breast cancer, testicular cancer, anemia, etc. These medicines are often prescribed to get better and faster recovery after several operations. Burn victims, persons with HIV/AIDS utilize anabolic-androgenic steroids for prevention of muscle loss. Some steroids are also indicated to cure osteoporosis. These medications are also applied for treatment of infertility.
Furthermore, anabolic-androgenic steroids are used for athletic purposes. These medications are capable to build muscles and induce increasing stamina. That’s why numerous sportspeople and bodybuilders use them for performance-enhancing effects. Several anabolic-androgenic steroids are able also to promote loosing fat, making muscles defined.
Usage of anabolic-androgenic steroids for non-therapeutic purposes is illegal under laws of several countries. Those who manufacture, sell, purchase and administer these drugs illegally may be sentenced to prison and/or fines. These medications belong to illicit preparations in certain countries because they may lead to various adverse results. While certain adverse effects are insignificant and disappear after discontinuation of intake, others are sever and even irreversible. Those that want to receive benefits, administering steroids for medical purposes, should apply these preparations under guidelines of physicians.