Girls are getting their hands on the same dangerous testosterone pills, shots and creams that have created a scandal in major league baseball and other sports. Often, these are the same girls who have eating disorders, according to some research.

"There's been a substantial increase for girls during the 1990s, and it's at an all-time high right now," said Charles Yesalis, a professor of health and human development at Pennsylvania State University.

Lloyd Johnston, a University of Michigan professor who heads an annual government-sponsored survey on risky behavior by young people, said: "Other than pedophilia, this is the most secret behavior I've ever encountered."

Overall, up to about 5% of high school girls and 7% of middle-school girls admit trying anabolic steroids at least once, with use of rising steadily since 1991, various government and university studies have shown.

Researchers say that most girls are using steroids to get bigger and stronger on the playing field, and they attribute some of the increase in steroid use to girls' rising participation in sports. But plenty of other girls are using steroids to give themselves a slightly muscular look, they say.

	How to spot girls' steroids abuse
	Experts and medical groups say numerous physical and psychological changes can be a tip-off that adolescent girls are abusing anabolic steroids: Sudden weight gain of 20 or 30 pounds of muscle, rather than fat, and greater muscle strength. Increase in facial and body hair, and loss of hair on the head. Deepening of the voice, a decrease in menstrual cycles and stunted growth, including smaller breasts. Sudden development of severe acne on the face and back. Increased appetite. Blood clots. Aggressive behavior or angry outbursts, known as "roid rage." Paranoia, hallucinations and psychotic behavior. Development of liver abnormalities and tumors. Elevated blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels, indicating premature onset of hardening of the arteries.

"With young women, you see them using it more as a weight control and body fat reduction" method, said Jeff Hoerger, who runs the staff counseling program at Rutgers University in New Jersey.

In the past couple of years, he has helped two young women using steroids — one an 11th-grader with "an average figure" whose swimmer friend suggested steroids would help with weight loss. "She was just looking for quick results," Hoerger said.

The sports medicine division at the Oregon Health and Science University found that two-thirds of Oregon high school girls who admitted using steroids were not athletes and that girls who were considering taking steroids had tried other, risky ways to get thin.

"They were more likely to have eating disorders and to abuse diuretics, amphetamines and laxatives," said Dr. Linn Goldberg, head of the division.

In teenage girls, the side effects from taking male sex hormones can include severe acne, smaller breasts, deeper voice, irregular periods, excess facial and body hair, depression, paranoia and the fits of anger dubbed "roid rage." Steroids also carry higher risks of heart attack, stroke and some forms of cancer.

Researchers say youngsters generally get illegal anabolic steroids on the black market from relatives or friends, from the local gym and over the Internet. At least one study indicates some parents and coaches supply steroids to teen athletes.

Dr. Eric Small, chairman of the American Academy of Pediatrics' committee on sports medicine, said adults should gently ask youngsters about possible steroid use.

"Talking about supplements and steroids needs to start in the third grade," Small said. "If you wait till ninth grade, it's too late."

http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2005-04-25-girls-steroids_x.htm

In recent years, steroids have become a major issue in the world of sports. And high school sports are now following the trend set by their professional counterparts.

High school athletes in the Sunshine State could soon be having random steroid tests after the Florida Senate unanimously voted to pass a random testing program for high school athletics. The legislation will next be sent to Governor Charlie Crist -- who has expressed his support for testing in the past -- for approval.

While this isn't a law yet, it's a move in the right direction. But will other states follow Florida's lead? And do you think testing high school athletes for steroids is really necessary?

If you're a parent, would you show support such a move in your state? In Florida, the state will fund $100,000 toward the efforts, but would you still be in favor of such a measure if student fees were increased to help fund the operation?

And if you're an athlete, are you in favor of your team being tested for steroids? Or do you think it's not a big issue at the high school level?

http://blogs.usatoday.com/preprally/2007/05/florida_closes_.html

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• Use of performance-enhancing substances takes place openly in the locker rooms, weight rooms and cafeterias of public and private high schools.
• Coaches, as well as athletes, know what's going on but are often powerless to stop the use of performance enhancers. Some, in fact, are willing to turn a blind eye.
• The pressure to win is enormous. That pressure extends to athletes, who are also competing for college scholarships, coaches and administrators.
• Although the vast majority of student-athletes consider steroid use "cheating" and acknowledge some degree of risk, some remain willing to sacrifice long-term health for short-term benefits.