List of Performance Enhancing Drugs

The list of suspected professional athletes gets bigger year after year. Then, when confronted with the allegations, they often point the finger of blame in everybody else's direction. They may utter phrases such as "it was my trainer's fault," or "I don't recall ever using them." Regardless of which athletes have used them, performance enhancing drugs have become a common occurrence in the world of sports.

Anabolic-Androgenic Steroids

• The use of anabolic-androgenic steroids relates to athletes seeking to enhance their muscle mass and strength. This type of steroid promotes the production of the hormone testosterone within the body, which assists in boosting performance. Methyltestosterone, Oxandrolone and Oxymetholone are common types of anabolic-androgenic steroids that may be taken as pills, injections or topical creams.

Designer Steroids

• According to the Mayo Clinic, designer steroids are a dangerous class of anabolic-androgenic steroids. Designer steroids are synthetically manufactured for the purpose of being undetectable when drug tests are administered. Tetrahydrogestrinone, Desoxymethyltestosterone, and Norbolethone are types of designer steroids.

Diuretics

• The use diuretic drugs enable the body to manipulate its natural balance of fluids. Dehydration is a common occurrence due to the use of diuretics. Athletes are able to drop weight through the loss of water, then able to compete at a higher level in a lower weight class. Acetazolamide, Spironolactone and Furosemide are common types of diuretics.

Natural Steroids

• An example of a natural hormone supplement, otherwise known as a natural steroid, would be DHEA. DHEA is a hormone made in the human body by the adrenal gland. Natural steroids like this differ from the designer type based on the fact that they are not chemically altered in a laboratory. Androstenedione is another type of natural steroid used to boost athlete strength.