Oxandrolone is primarily used in medical settings to promote weight gain in patients who have experienced significant weight loss due to surgery, chronic infections, or severe trauma. It is also prescribed to counteract muscle wasting caused by long-term corticosteroid therapy. Additionally, it aids in the treatment of bone pain associated with osteoporosis. In some cases, it is utilized to help manage conditions like Turner syndrome by promoting growth and development. Outside of medical use, it is sometimes misused by athletes and bodybuilders for its anabolic properties, though this is not its intended application.