Anabolic Steroids Market Size, Share, and Industry Analysis, By Drug Type (Testosterone, Oxymetholone, Methyltestosterone, and Others), By Route of Administration (Oral and Parenteral), By Indication (Hypogonadism, Anemia, Breast Cancer, and Others), By Distribution Channel (Hospital Pharmacies, Retail Pharmacies & Drug Stores, and Online Pharmacies), and Regional Forecast, 2025-2032

Anabolic steroids are the synthetic variations of the male sex hormone testosterone. Some of the testosterone derivatives include methyl testosterone, oxymetholone, and norethandrolone. They are often referred to as anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) due to their dual effects of promoting muscle growth (anabolic) and male sexual characteristics (androgenic). These compounds improve appearance by building muscle mass or enhancing athletic performance. Anabolic steroids are sometimes prescribed medically for conditions such as low testosterone, delayed puberty, or muscle loss due to disease.

The global anabolic steroids market growth is primarily attributed to the rising incidence of testosterone deficiency disorders. Anabolic steroids are being prescribed for testosterone supplementation therapy to improve mood and sexual performance in older men. This is particularly relevant for individuals experiencing low levels of testosterone due to age or medical conditions.

• For instance, as of May 2024, the European Association of Urology reported that an estimated incidence of hypogonadism is between 12.3 and 11.7 cases per 1,000 people annually.

Moreover, the low testosterone levels (hypogonadism) lead to the shrinking of muscle growth. The increasing popularity of bodybuilding and fitness among young people is driving the demand for muscle growth products such as anabolic steroids. In response to the rising popularity of fitness and to overcome low testosterone levels (hypogonadism), physicians are increasingly prescribing anabolic steroids to promote the growth of skeletal muscle in individuals. This is expected to boost the market growth during the forecast period.

In addition, anabolic steroids are sometimes used medically to treat delayed puberty in adolescents. They help stimulate the growth of muscles and bones, which is essential for normal development. In addition, they help regulate the body's production of cortisol, a hormone that plays a crucial role in the body's response to stress. These factors are expected to boost the adoption of anabolic steroids in the coming years.

The COVID-19 pandemic contributed to an increase in the adoption of anabolic steroids, particularly in individuals with lower levels of testosterone. Individuals with lower testosterone levels were at an increased risk of severe COVID-19 infection. This significantly increased the demand for anabolic steroids, such as testosterone and its esters, during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Segmentation

Key Insights

The report covers the following key insights:

• Prevalence of Key Diseases, By Key Countries/Region, 2023
• Pipeline Analysis, By Key Players
• Key Industry Developments By Key Players
• New Product Launches, By Key Players
• Regulatory Overview of Anabolic Steroids By Key Countries/Region
• Impact of COVID-19 on the Market

Analysis by Drug Type

Based on drug type, the market is segmented into testosterone, oxymetholone, methyltestosterone, and others. The testosterone segment is projected to account for a significant share of the global anabolic steroids market during the forecast period. This growth is attributed to the growing use of testosterone for the most legitimate medical purposes. Testosterone is commonly prescribed by healthcare providers to treat low testosterone levels (male hypogonadism) and to stimulate muscle growth in people with certain cancers or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). These benefits are boosting the demand for testosterone globally. To meet the increased demand for these products, prominent market players are focusing on commercializing testosterone products.

• For instance, in June 2022, Halozyme, Inc. announced the commercialization of TLANDO, a testosterone undecanoate, in the U.S. This launch was initiated to treat men with hypogonadism in the country. This is expected to increase the product availability and fulfill the patient demand, driving the segment growth.

On the other hand, the oxymetholone segment is projected to expand at a noteworthy CAGR during the forecast timeframe. Oxymetholone treats wastage of muscle and muscle weakness in people with certain medical conditions, such as aplastic anemia and bone marrow failure. This rising use of oxymetholone in various conditions and the rising prevalence of such diseases is further expected to boost the segment growth.

Regional Analysis

To gain extensive insights into the market, Download for Customization

The global market is geographically segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa.

North America is expected to hold a significant share of the anabolic steroids market during the forecast period. The growth is primarily attributed to the growing focus of key players on the commercialization of anabolic steroids in the region. This focus is primarily driven by the high burden of osteoporosis in countries such as the U.S.

• For instance, as per the data published by Cleveland Clinic, experts estimate that more than 50 million individuals in the U.S. currently have osteoporosis.

Furthermore, owing to this commercialization of products and overcoming the high burden of osteoporosis in the region, physicians are increasingly prescribing anabolic steroids such as nandrolone for its treatment. This is driving the product demand in the region, which is expected to boost the regional market growth.

Asia Pacific is projected to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast timeframe. The rising awareness and accessibility of anabolic steroids in countries such as India and China is expected to boost regional market growth. This growth in awareness is mainly fueled by the rising incidence of breast cancer in countries such as India. Anabolic steroids such as methyltestosterone are used for the treatment of advancing inoperable metastatic breast cancer in females. This is expected to boost the market growth in the region during the forecast period.

Key Players Covered

The market consists of significant players, such as Solvay, Tolmar, Inc., Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., Pfizer Inc., Aurobindo Pharma Limited, DSM Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Zydus Healthcare Limited, Endo International plc, and Xiromed. The increasing focus of these players on new product launches has been fueling their revenue growth.

Key Industry Developments

• In April 2023, Xiromed announced the launch of a generic version of Depo-Testosterone for males suffering from deficiency or absence of endogenous testosterone.
• In October 2022, Tolmar, Inc. acquired JATENZO (testosterone undecanoate) to treat hypogonadism and expanded its portfolio of urology.
• In February 2022, Clarus Therapeutics Holdings, Inc. entered into a strategic partnership with Vault Health and AssistRx to streamline the prescription process for healthcare providers and home delivery of JATENZO (testosterone undecanoate) for patients.