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Libido as a motivator for starting and restarting non-prescribed anabolic androgenic steroid use among men: a mixed-methods study.

Harvey, O., Parrish, M., van Teijlingen, E. and Trenoweth, S., 2022. Libido as a motivator for starting and restarting non-prescribed anabolic androgenic steroid use among men: a mixed-methods study. Drugs: Education, Prevention and Policy, 29 (3), 276-288.

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DOI: 10.1080/09687637.2021.1882940

Abstract

Anabolic Androgenic Steroids (AAS) are commonly used for their anabolic effects and potential detrimental consequences are well documented. Most studies focus on the motivations of increased muscle development and report increased libido as a secondary motivation. This paper aims to explore users’ reports of libido as a motivator for starting and restarting AAS use. This mixed-methods study comprised questionnaires with 133 adult male AAS users (38% of selected increased libido as motivation for using), and 23 semi-structured interviews with a sub-sample. Thematic analysis identified four interlinked themes: increased libido as a motivation for starting/re-starting AAS; increased libido/sexual performance as a beneficial effect; mixed experiences with physicians regarding libido changes and hypogonadism and reduced sexual functioning and fertility after AAS cessation. Increased libido was identified as a benefit by 90% but motivations for use changed over time. Reasons for AAS use included mitigating the effects of aging particularly linked to the concept of virility. AAS as self-medication for low testosterone needs further investigation as does the idea of hegemonic masculinity as a reinforcing driver for AAS use. This study highlights the need to consider how AAS users’ views of medical support impact on self-medication choices.

Item Type:Article
ISSN:0968-7637
Uncontrolled Keywords:Anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS); libido; low testosterone; low mood; sexual function; Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT)
Group:Faculty of Health & Social Sciences
ID Code:35180
Deposited By: Symplectic RT2
Deposited On:09 Feb 2021 13:12
Last Modified:12 Jul 2022 14:19

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