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

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