Adolescent Users Of Performance-Enhancing Drugs Do Not Know A Lot About What They’re Taking, Expert Says.

spoke with pediatric endocrinologist Alan Rogol, MD, PhD, of the University of Virginia School of Medicine, a member of the expert panel convened by the Endocrine Society three years ago to “develop a scientific statement on” performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs). In the article, Dr. Rogol observes, “According to data in the Endocrine Society scientific statement, approximately 2% of US high school students report using androgenic anabolic steroids just in the previous 12 months, usually as high school seniors.” Approximately 50% “of these young people take PEDs for athletic purposes, and the rest just because they want to ‘look good.’” According to Dr. Rogol, “PED use is not limited to athletes, and most adolescent users probably do not know a lot about what they are taking.”