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

Abstract

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 their first and most recent occasion was to improve appearance, although there were no significant differences between homo/bi-sexuals and heterosexuals in relationship to perceptions of body shape. The homo/bi-sexual men in this sample were also far more likely to have used a wide range of illicit drugs.