Steroid facts for kids

Steroids are special types of chemicals. They can be found naturally in your body or made by scientists. All steroids have a unique structure with four rings joined together.

Steroid hormones are a type of steroid that act like messengers in your body. They are usually made from a substance called cholesterol. Your body makes these hormones in special glands, like the adrenal glands (near your kidneys) and gonads (which are involved in reproduction). Cholesterol is a common steroid found in animal cells. It's important for building cell membranes, which are like the outer walls of your cells.

Some examples of steroid hormones are:

• Estrogen
• Testosterone
• Progesterone
• Vitamin D₃ (also called cholecalciferol)

Hormones from the adrenal glands are very important. They help animals (including humans) deal with changes in their environment and emergency situations. This helps them survive.

Man-Made Steroids

Scientists can also make steroids in labs. These are called synthetic steroids.

Prednisone is an important man-made steroid medicine. Doctors use it to help reduce inflammation (swelling and redness) in the body.

Certain anabolic steroids, like some forms of testosterone, are used as medicines to help make muscles stronger.

Related Pages

• Doping in sport
• Adrenal gland

Images for kids

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  A gonane (steroid nucleus)

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  Medrogestone, a man-made medicine similar to progesterone

See also

In Spanish: Esteroide para niños