Yes, this topic of steroids is poorly understood by the public. I am aware of what steriod are for quite some time now. Indeed it is basically hormones. It is hardly surprising that a lot of dimwits doesn't know what is going on mainly due to the fact that the media does superb job of convincing these two views, regarding sports use, and use of steriods for sex-change medical purposes are somewhat 'unrelated' while they are essentially the same substance, with the same property, only difference is how it is applied.
Notice I used "purpose" i did that on purpose to show, how they 'worded this out carefully to imply a 'not abusive' nature of steriod use in sex changes procedure/on-going process (which they often do take a long duration). Furthermore, notice i said sex-change instead of gender? Thats because there is a huge differences between sex and gender. These are not interchangable however most members of soceity thinks they are. They are not the same. Sex is the physical decription of the anotomy of person/human being while gender is the social constructs, that is the norms, values, the ideas we are taught of what are the 'correct way of being Male or Female. For instance, dress code, females wear skirts (ok theres scotland and few places but for sake of simplicity). Other normal views of genders also revolves the ideas of femininity and masculinity. That is social expectations.
Returning to the difference between how sports-purposes and medicinal uses of steriods, these are often discussed as being unrelated. However, if one look closer at what IS steriods, it would be startling to see how these are treated as 'evil' and 'good' for society.
These two extremes viewpoints of the 'matters/issues' shares the very common denominator, but the so called separation touted as the 'gender issues' and strength/size factor namely 'sports issues'.
For the former it is banged on hard about 'rights to decide the gender differiatation from 'normal gender definition' as a 'lifestyle choice', some might drag in the 'mental health factor' as a way of dealing with confused sexuality which some people experiences. But when it comes to viewing steriods use in sports, the whole emphasis is different, the latter has been banged on about the cheat factor for strength or size.
Trick seem to be that for 'medicine use' they often say to paitents/public it is 'hormone treatments' while for 'sports use' it is often straight out as 'steriods' along with various 'trade names' of various types of steriods, in as much same way as antidepressents have nicknames but belongs to certain drug family eg, SSRI, cyclic, MAO, etc, This branding applies to steriods as well (of course).
I am not sure about what you mean by consciousness, perhaps I should guess you are refering to 'sexual identity consciousness'?, but if for sports and 'body image' as in body building, consciousness of being weak is feared? I could probably stretch this a little further saying, this fear of lack of strength reflects the lack of manhood which could be attributed to both an increasingly hyped up imaging of maleness in the media and societal intention to insist what constitute as an accepted physique to be maintained. Sorry for a long ass question but I am merely trying to ascertain what you are referring to as 'consciousness', because by and large, anabolic steriods are used to alter the Body, not the consciousness.
I do agree that body builders (those who are serious and by this i mean who have worked out in gyms for at least five years before that anyone could consider to use Steriods to push pass their own physical limits, because yes it is dangerous in the hands of fools, but safe use can be taught.
Steriods does not only change to males, it can reverse as well, which is why body builders are often in danger to develop 'bitch tits' from using too much, simply from lack of information in its administration of the drug (should I say hormone instead?).
