Overall safety of anabolic steroids is controversial. Methyl-testosterone 200 mg / week does not have side effects (not even on the personality), with the exception of an increased risk of acne. Most side effects are observed only with doses above 200 mg / week equivalent méthyltestos-teron. Neither the effects of long-term use and the extraordinarily high doses used by some athletes, particularly bodybuilders, which may absorb the equivalent of several grams of methyl-testosterone every week, has not yet been studied.
The psychological effects (usually present only at very high doses) are frequently reported by the family, and these effects are considerable variations and unpredictable moods, irrational behavior, increased aggression ( "steroid madness") , irritability, depression and addiction. An increase in acne, usual complaint is one of the side effects for which a youth is likely to go to a doctor. Jaundice may occur, indicating liver dysfunction, but usually only with the anabolic steroid orally. Musculotendineuses lesions and dysfunction or liver tumors (benign and malignant) may occur. Among users and prepubertal during puberty, bone epiphyses may calcify prematurely, likely reducing the size of the individual. The hypertension, increased cholesterol based density lipoprotein (LDL) and reducing cholesterol, high density lipoprotein (HDL) may increase cardiovascular risk. Young men may develop gynecomastia, testicular atrophy and azoospermia.
Some effects appear virilization in women may be irreversible, P. ex. alopecia, clitoral hypertrophy, hirsutism and the decrease in the tone of voice. The breast volume may decrease, the vaginal mucosa may atrophy, menstruation may become irregular or stop; libido may increase or, more rarely, decrease, and the aggressiveness and appetite may increase.