The legal status of steroids varies across countries. In some places, such as Mexico and Thailand, anabolic steroids can be purchased without a prescription. However, in other nations, such as the United States, growth hormones are legal only with a prescription for specific medical conditions.
The global steroid market, with Thailand as a major player, raises concerns about the impact of adulterated products and lax regulations on health. The drugs can pose serious health risks when used improperly. For example, if steroids are used to bulk up muscles, users may experience a painful condition called periorbital cellulitis or orbital cellulitis, which occurs when the spaces around the eyes become infected and swell up.
Aside from the ill-effects of excessive use, there are also several other side effects associated with the drug. These include acne, hair growth and a decrease in sperm count (which can lead to sterility) among others. The drug has also been linked to a wide variety of heart problems, including irregular heart rhythms, high blood pressure and clotting issues.
Mr Shavershian’s death underscored the growing popularity of so-called steroid holidays, where amateur bodybuilders travel to Thailand to stock up on the illegal drugs before heading home. Many of these holidays involve a routine known as “cycling”, whereby bodybuilders take a combination of drugs every 48 to 72 hours over the course of two months, until they are bulked up enough to compete back in Australia. The convenience of obtaining steroids in Thailand entices bodybuilders from all over the world to come to the country. Steroids Thailand