Using steroids can result in a variety of side effects. These side effects can be physical and mental.

Testosterone is a male sex hormone that the male and female body produce naturally, though in higher concentrations in males. This hormone is responsible for male characteristics such as a deep voice, enlarged muscle mass, growth of sex organs and male pattern hair growth.

Testosterone supplements are typically used by men who want to increase the level of the male hormone testosterone that controls functions such as sexual desire and muscle gain. There are several types of over-the-counter testosterone supplements available in nutritional supply stores.

An important hormone in both males and females, testosterone affects body composition and sexual performance. Peaking during adolescence or early adulthood, testosterone levels begin to drop in men after the age of 30. Do your homework before attempting to raise testosterone with DHEA or any other supplement.

Estrogen and progesterone are the main sex hormones in women that are responsible for the processes within a normal menstrual cycle, including ovulation and menstruation. Estrogen is in charge during the beginning of the cycle and then decreases at the middle when progesterone takes over.

Steroids, also called anabolic-androgenic steroids, or AAS, are synthetic reproductions of the sex hormone testosterone. Though other steroids provide useful medical treatments for people with diseases such as AIDS and cancer, AAS are used illegally by people hoping to enhance exercise abilities and muscle mass.

Your diet during pregnancy provides the fetus with its main source of nutrients. Eating the proper nutrients in adequate amounts ensures that both your and the fetus' needs are met. An inadequate diet will result in the fetus taking the nutrients from your body stores.

Adrenaline and testosterone are both human hormones. Adrenaline, the common name for epinephrine, is a stress hormone produced in similar quantities in both men and women. Testosterone is classically considered a "male" hormone, although it's produced in small amounts in women as well.

Progesterone is a steroid hormone manufactured in the body. It is important to a woman's body and beneficial for balancing the effects of estrogen, according to John R. Lee, MD. In menopause, estrogen levels decline by 40 to 60 percent, eliminating the menstrual cycle.

Cortisol is an important natural hormone produced by the adrenal glands and is responsible for regulating many important body functions.

Estrogen is a natural hormone essential for female breast and sexual development. It governs your menstrual cycle, controls functioning of the ovaries and uterus and stimulates the normal growth and division of breast cells.

The term "estrogen" actually describes several different related hormones. These estrogens are estrone (predominant form during menopause), estriol (primary estrogen during pregnancy), and estradiol (which is the most common form of estrogen in non-pregnant women between puberty and menopause).