Well-being and body-related insecurity are associated with cycling status in anabolic-androgenic steroid users

Anabolic-androgenic steroid (AAS) use has been associated with adverse psychological outcomes, yet little is known about how psychological functioning varies across on- and off-cycle phases within individuals. Adult male AAS users ( n = 19) and weightlifting controls (WLC; n = 25) completed biweekly assessments of well-being (WHO-5), psychological distress (HSCL-10), and ten AAS-related symptoms over 6 months. AAS observations were classified as on-cycle (≤ 21 days since last use) or off-cycle (> 21 days), with hormonal measures available in a subset. Exploratory analyses indicated several phase-related differences, with the most consistent findings showing greater body-related insecurity (“feeling small”) and lower well-being during off-cycle periods. These patterns were also supported by within-subject sensitivity analyses, although only 10 participants contributed observations from both phases. Higher anxiety scores were also found in both on- and off-cycle AAS observations than in WLC observations, with no statistically significant difference between cycle phases. Other findings included higher levels of paranoid thoughts and depressive symptoms during off-cycle periods, but these were less consistent across analyses. Little evidence was found for cycle-related changes in impulsivity, irritability, or short temper. These preliminary findings require replication in larger samples.