Men face growing pressure to use steroids as studies show increase in male body dysmorphia – CBC

Unregulated anabolic steroid use comes with serious risks, parents and experts warn

Jan 13, 2025

Experts and parents are sounding the alarm about non-medical anabolic steroid use as posts glorifying it grow on social media.

Experts suggest it’s related to a concerning rise in body dysmorphia among men.

“The pressures on young males around body ideals has increased,” said Kyle Ganson, a University of Toronto assistant professor in social work who studies muscle dysmorphia, a body image-related disorder that is common among men.

“They’re seeing people on social media like, ‘This is what the male body should look like,’ ” Ganson said. “Basically, you perceive yourself to be smaller or less muscular than you actually are.”

Muscle dysmorphia cases rising, studies suggest
As non-medical steroid sales happen on the black market and online, it is difficult to track usage. But several studies suggest muscle dysmorphia is on the rise, and seems to be inspiring steroid use.

Read more: https://www.cbc.ca/news/health/anabolic-steroid-use-male-body-dysmorphia-1.7428819