It’s long been used as a deterrent for potential steroid users. But is it true? Yes and No. Steroids can stunt growth, and steroids can create new growth. Let’s delve into each argument.

Steroids can stunt growth.

In the mid- to late- teen years, the epiphyseal growth plates at the ends of bones stop growing. It is at that age that most people stop growing. If a teenager is taking certain steroids, he does risk causing receptor damage in these areas. However, due to the already elevated levels of testosterone in the body until age 20 or 22, no healthy male or female should be using steroids until after these ages anyway. Steroids are most effective when their use begins in the late 20s to early 30s, when the metabolism has begun to slow and the body’s own natural testosterone has slowed to a rate where new muscle growth is very hard to attain. Anything taken before then can lead to a lifetime requirement of hormone-replacement therapy, along with many other issues – legal, financial, medical, etc. There are a lot of reasons not to start steroids in your teenage years, and the potential for stunted growth is certainly one of them.

Steroids create new growth.

Anavar, popular with female bodybuilders due to its minimal virilization side effects, is prescribed regularly for dwarf children to deliver growth in those formidable years before the bones fuse. It is often given to young children suffering from stunted growth, and with much success. Human growth hormone (hGH) causes a great deal of growth. Even seen the elbows, jaws, knees, and hands of top professional bodybuilders? They grow, along with the rest of the body, due to the use of growth hormone. The body contains receptors in many areas – bones, blood, muscle, and other tissue. They all react differently to different steroids and steroid combinations. Some steroids do cause additional growth in humans; even after the growth plates have closed.

As you can see, both sides are technically correct when they authoritatively state that steroids cause, or stunt, growth. It all depends on which steroids are being referred to, and how old the user happens to be. As long as the user follows common sense rules and doesn’t use steroids before reaching his/her twenties, stunted growth isn’t an issue to be concerned with. However, technically, some steroids can stunt growth. You’re both right!