Table 2 Side effects from AAS use

Self-reported AAS-related psychological side effects

n

%

n

%

n

%

χ2

p-value

Fatigue

43

47.8

26

63.4

17

34.7

7.38

0.007*

Sleep disorder

59

33.3

30

73.2

29

50.8

1.934

0.164

Depression

33

36.7

20

48.8

13

26.5

4.759

0.029*

Mood swings

61

67.8

29

70.7

32

65.3

0.301

0.583

Anxiety

29

32.2

18

43.9

11

22.4

4.704

0.030*

Paranoia

13

14.4

9

22.0

4

8.2

3.434

0.077

Irritability

54

60.0

23

56.1

31

63.3

0.478

0.489

Short fuse

55

61.1

25

61.0

30

61.2

0.001

0.981

Aggression

38

42.2

18

43.9

20

40.8

0.087

0.768

Jealousy

60

66.7

24

58.5

36

73.5

2.234

0.134

Increased impulsivity

38

42.2

15

36.6

23

46.9

0.981

0.322

Reduced empathy

34

37.8

15

36.6

19

38.8

0.046

0.831

Reduced memory

58

64.4

24

58.5

34

69.4

1.147

0.284

Reduced concentration

32

35.6

18

43.9

14

28.6

2.29

0.130

Self-reported AAS-related physical side effects

n

%

n

%

n

%

χ2

p-value

Stretch marks

46

51.1

23

56.1

23

46.9

0.749

0.387

Acne

59

63.3

27

65.9

32

65.3

0.003

0.957

Excessive sweating

61

67.8

33

80.5

28

57.1

5.57

0.018*

Oedema

63

70.0

29

70.7

34

69.4

0.019

0.890

Hair growth

46

51.1

25

61.0

21

42.9

2.933

0.087

Hair loss

29

32.2

10

24.4

19

38.8

2.115

0.146

Ruptured muscles or tendons

24

26.6

12

29.3

12

24.5

0.261

0.610

Injection site pain

72

80.0

34

82.9

38

77.6

0.403

0.525

Abscess

23

25.6

12

29.3

11

22.4

0.546

0.460

Gynecomastia

32

35.6

20

48.8

12

24.5

5.748

0.017*

Reduced libido

30

33.3

16

39.0

14

28.6

1.098

0.295

Sexual dysfunction

25

27.8

14

34.1

11

22.4

1.523

0.217

Testicular atrophy

63

70.0

31

75.6

32

65.3

1.129

0.288