Women are increasingly using anabolic steroids, driven by rising participation in strength sports, social media influence, and encouragement from peers or coaches. This shift raises health concerns, with unique risks for women, prompting calls for targeted education, stigma-free healthcare, and better online harm-reduction strategies
The Drugs Control Administration, Telangana, has found gyms and fitness centres illegally selling steroids and stimulants like Mephentermine for bodybuilding. The DCA warned that such misuse can cause severe health issues and urged public vigilance through its toll-free complaint number
The State Public Health Wing, particularly the District Health and Medical Officers (DM&HO), holds special authority under the Clinical Establishment Act to take action against unqualified medical practitioners. However, estimates from the Telangana State Medical Council suggest that between 50,000 and 53,000 individuals are practicing allopathy without an MBBS degree. In Hyderabad alone, there may be over 10,000 such unqualified practitioners illegally practicing allopathy.
Apart from the existing contributing factors like steroids, compromised immunity, uncontrolled diabetes and excessive use of antibiotics, researchers are now also linking the excessive use of zinc supplements to mucormycosis.
The drugs used in the treatment of the fungal infection will be arranged in enough quantity and awareness will be created among people for prevention against the disease, he said.
