Anabolic Androgenic Steroids (AAS) are a type of steroid hormone developed to promote anabolism; the process of building and synthesizing molecules in the body. All AAS are derivatives of the steroid hormone testosterone. AAS were designed to improve upon testosterone's anabolic effect while minimize unwanted androgenic effect in treating patients with catabolic medical conditions. The anabolic effect of AAS are to promote protein synthesis through the efficient use of amino acids, prevent protein breakdown, retain nitrogen and build skeletal muscle. Androgenic effects are those related to puberty such as male pattern baldness, deepening of the voice, facial hair growth, increase sebaceous gland excretion. AAS, such as Anavar, have a high anabolic activity (high anabolic: androgenic ratio of 10:1) compared to testosterone (anabolic: androgenic ratio of 1:1).