In this in-depth article I detail the most important things you should know about the use of anabolic steroids in women: side effects and practical tips for harm reduction.
Dr. Robbert Kerr, a medical doctor in the 1970s and 1980s, took it upon himself to prescribe anabolic steroids to bodybuilders. His aim was to minimize side effects and eliminate the need for underground lab-produced steroids.
During his time, female usage of anabolic steroids was relatively low. Dr. Kerr expressed his thoughts on the matter:
“If you haven't seen a women's bodybuilding contest-please do, I think that you'll be pleasantly surprised. The female bodybuilders that I see as patients see me for the usual physical problems of any athlete and not for the male hormones that the males all expect that they take. I'm glad that the women have thus far been able to keep the naturalness in their end of the sports, but how long will that last?”
How long did it last? You be the judge. Let's begin with the 1980 Miss Olympia, Rachel McLish (left frame). In the next frame, in 1982, she appeared alongside newcomer Bev Francis. Both women possessed athletic figures, but Bev Francis took female musculature to new heights. This trend of increasing muscle mass can be observed in the two top contestants of the 1990 Miss Olympia, only 10 years since McLish’s Miss Olympia triumph.
In males, the use of anabolic steroids pose definitive health risks primarily related to the cardiovascular system. These include elevated blood pressure, unfavorable changes to the heart muscle, compromised vascular health, and kidney damage. Although most of these changes are reversible upon discontinuation of steroid use, permanent damage can occur in certain cases. But what about females? To answer this, we need to examine the differences in testosterone between men and women.
Both men and women naturally produce testosterone, but the levels of this hormone are considerably lower in women compared to men. As a result, females can achieve remarkable muscle mass gains with significantly lower doses of anabolic steroids. Let's delve into the practical aspect of anabolic steroid use in females by using a basic oral steroid cycle as an example.
A typical starter cycle for women typically spans four to eight weeks and involves taking 5 to 10 mg of oral Anavar (oxandrolone) per day, resulting in a total weekly dosage of 35 to 70 mg.
Anavar is an oral steroid that is ingested as a pill. Females often split their daily dose into multiple smaller pills throughout the day. This is because Anavar is rapidly absorbed, and by dividing the dosage, more stable levels of the drug in the body can be achieved. In the underground market Anavar pills of 10 mg are commonly available. These pills are often divided into two or even four parts to enable dosages of 2.5 or 5 mg. It's worth noting that men also use Anavar, but typically at much higher dosages, ranging from 20 to 100 mg per day. It is evident that women are more sensitive to male hormones and can achieve significant results with smaller doses.
Women tend to prefer oral steroids (pills) over injectables due to the perceived lower health risks associated with them, although this perception is not entirely accurate. Oral steroids significantly alter cholesterol levels for the worse and can harm the liver. In addition, lower estrogen levels are quite commonly seen with women using anabolic steroids. Estrogen is beneficial for quite the extensive list of bodily functions, of which increased fat burning properties is not the only one. However, the convenience of low-dose oral steroids on the black market makes them more appealing to female users.
Injectable steroids come in the form of liquid oil preparations, and dosing is measured in milligrams per millilitre (mg/mL). The lowest available black market dose for injectable anabolic steroids is typically 100 mg per mL of injectable oil. To achieve an equivalent dose of 35 mg of Anavar per week, a female would need to inject 0.35 mL of injectable steroid per week. However, due to the rapid distribution of these lower-dosed injectable steroids, daily or every other day injections are necessary to maintain stable levels and avoid significant fluctuations. This would require a daily injection of 0.05 mL (0.35 mL divided by 7 days), which is a very small amount and requires careful planning. It is understandable why most women choose oral steroids instead.
Women often opt for so-called "women-friendly" steroids like Primobolan, Boldenone, or Nandrolone. It is important to note that all anabolic steroids can potentially cause side effects predominantly dependent on the injected dose of the steroid. This means that properly dosing injectable steroids is crucial in controlling these side effects.
Interesting side note, testosterone offers a distinct advantage compared to other injectable steroids and oral steroids. Not only is testosterone a hormone naturally produced by the body, but it is also the only anabolic steroid that can be directly measured through a commercially available blood test. Understanding this, you can achieve more control over the precise amount of testosterone present in your system, allowing for appropriate titration of the dose. Furthermore, by using an injectable steroid, we can bypass the significant negative impact on the liver and cholesterol often associated with oral steroids.
However, does this mean that injectable steroids are suitable for every woman?
It's crucial to discuss the nuances of gender differences in steroid dosing. On average, women naturally produce 1 to 3 mg of testosterone per week, while men produce 35 to 70 mg per week. A commonly recommended starting steroid cycle for men is 500 mg per week for 8 to 12 weeks, which is approximately 8 to 12 times their regular production. In contrast, women are often advised to start with a 5 or 10 mg daily dose of Anavar, amounting to 35 to 70 mg per week. This translates to 10 to 60 times (!) their normal production of testosterone.
Why do some people recommend men to start with cycles 10 times their normal production, while telling a female to start with 20 to 60 times their own androgen levels? Rest assured, I am not advocating for men to start with a 500 mg per week cycle either, but that's a topic for another discussion.
It is crucial to understand these disparities in dosing to ensure the safe and appropriate use of steroids, particularly among women. Due to lower doses and shorter cycles compared to men, cardiovascular risks are generally lower and justifiably not given much attention. But what's the real concern here?
When females use anabolic steroids, they can experience unwanted masculinizing effects, meaning 'like a man'. These effects manifest as a deeper and coarser voice, clitoral enlargement, scalp hair thinning and increased and thicker hair growth in undesired areas like the upper lip, chin, and belly. Anabolic steroids can also change the fat depositions on the face and rest of the body, changing the appearance of the feminine face and body making it appear more masculine. This redistribution of fat seen with anabolic steroids can also reduce the fat content of the breasts leading to a reduction of the size and change of shape of the breasts. Also, the menstrual cycle is often disrupted leading to lowered fertility. If a woman chooses to use large doses for prolonged periods, the same cardiovascular and organ-damaging health risks can be seen, similar to men.
It's clear that these "male" anabolic steroids make women more masculine and interfere with their feminine characteristics. Unfortunately, these masculinizing effects are often permanent, leaving women left with little options to change their situation. Unwanted hair growth can be helped through methods like shaving or laser hair removal. Regrettably, there is no known therapy to reverse a lowered voice, except for voice training, which typically yields unsatisfactory results.
You may be wondering if the dosage of these steroids plays a role in determining the extent of these effects. However, both studies and personal experiences in my clinic indicate that even at low doses, these masculinizing effects can occur. Furthermore, there is significant variation among women in terms of their tolerance to these effects. There is no foolproof way to predict whether you will tolerate the male effects of anabolic steroids, and often, by the time you realise it, it's already too late.
So, what are my recommendations for women who want to use anabolic steroids?
The use of anabolic steroids in women is often accompanied by conflicting advice and misinformation. The risks are real, and being well-informed can help reduce these risks when striving to achieve your goals.
If you need more information or advice tailored to your personal situation and goals, I am available for online consultation. I am a Medical Doctor specializing in the use of anabolic steroids, testosterone and TRT in both male and females. With my experience and knowledge I strive to reduce your health risk while using steroids. You can book an online consultation through the following link: https://calendly.com/freyrperformance/consultation
