Women abusing steroids to look pregnant are at increased risk of complications like high blood pressure, blood clots, liver problems, ovarian and breast cancers, and stroke, gynaecologists have said.
The physicians stressed that misuse of steroids or other hormonal medications to simulate pregnancy is extremely dangerous, and women should never go for such an option.
The maternal health experts explained that such measures delay women who engage in such practices from seeking proper medical evaluations and could expose them to serious health risks.
PUNCH Healthwise reports that former Director-General of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, Julie Okah-Donli, alleged that some women fake pregnancies using steroids and later obtain babies to deceive their husbands into believing they gave birth.
Okah-Donli linked the practice to those involved in fake pregnancy syndicates and baby trafficking in Nigeria, adding that women involved in the practice are injected with steroids that make them appear heavily pregnant.
