Exploring the relationship between male homo/bi-sexuality, body image and steroid use

This study aimed to determine the characteristics of anabolic-androgenic steroid (AAS) users to determine their motivations for use, and to examine the patterns and correlates of AAS use, with particular attention to homo/bi-sexual men. A personal interview was conducted with 100 current AAS users in New South Wales, Australia using a structured questionnaire divided into ten separate sections: Demographics; patterns of AAS use; reasons for AAS use; opinions and attitudes concerning AAS; training activity; sources of steroids; AAS information sources; effects of AAS; lifestyle issues including legal and illegal drug use; and deterrents to AAS use. This predominantly male sample (94%) included 27% homo/bi-sexual men. Homo/bi-sexual users reported a different pattern of AAS use from the heterosexual users. They started using at a later age and used smaller quantities less frequently. Homo/bi-sexual users were also more likely to identify as body image users and indicate that their motivation to use AAS on t...