STEROID ABUSE IN FEMALE ATHLETES

Drug abuse in sport attracts considerable media and public interest, p articularly around the time of major international events such as the Olympic Games. From a scientific viewpoint the benefits of drugs to sp ortspersons have been difficult to address. In the case of steroids, t he experiments required for proof, particularly in women, are unethica l. Drug testing is an expensive mechanism for deterrence, but there ar e areas in the scenario where validation data are lacking and improvem ents to the procedures are needed, Testing standards for women cannot be based on results from tests in men, and regulations need revision t o take account of new data.