Women and anabolic steroids and other banned substances

As is known, banned substances in bodybuilding and fitness are not only used by men, but also by women. In this article, we will take a closer look at this controversial topic.

If you have so far thought that a woman on doping must legitimately look like a man, we will probably lead you astray. After all, many times she looks like your favourite fitness girl from Instagram.

From bikini fitness to women's bodybuilding

Yes, even the fragile and feminine-looking "bikinis" are no exception when it comes to the use of banned substances.

Clenbuterol

Among the most popular substance used by women is Clenbuterol. In the bikini fitness category, apparently, no female competitor cares about androgenic side effects, so if some choose banned substances, then they are products where such side effects are not a threat. Clenbutrol is popular due to the fact that it effectively burns body fat and has an anti-catabolic effect - in the diet regime and during hard training it protects muscle mass from breakdown and loss. Thanks to this, female athletes achieve the desired body appearance in significantly less time.

Clebuterol is prescribed to treat asthma and is most commonly taken in tablet form.When taken, negative side effects such as headaches, palpitations, trembling of the extremities, anxiety, excessive sweating and nausea may occur[1, 2, 3, 4].

T3

Another widely used substance (often simultaneously with clenbuterol) is T3. T3 speeds up metabolism, affects thermoregulation and accelerates fat loss. T3 is used in medicine to treat reduced thyroid function. Long-term use for weight loss not treatment carries the risk of disrupting proper thyroid function. [5]

Ephedrine

Ephedrine tablets are also used and are also among the substances listed on the doping list. Ephedrine works as a stimulant, suppresses appetite, helps burn body fat and increase strength. It is often combined with caffeine and aspirin for an even better fat-burning effect. It was invented for the treatment of asthma, low blood pressure and narcolepsy. The use of ephedrine can have negative effects on the cardiovascular and nervous systems[7, 8].

Oxandrolone

Oxandrolone is also known as Anavar and is one of the weaker anabolic androgenic steroids. Its price is relatively high and it is often adulterated. It increases strength, improves muscle quality and hardness, and has an effect on fat burning. In medicine, it is used to treat growth disorders in children, osteoporosis and burns. Side effects in the form of acne, hair loss and nausea may occur when taking it. [9, 10]

Stanozolol

Stanozolol or also Winstrol can be taken in tablet form or injected. This anabolic androgenic steroid helps to increase muscle mass and strength and harden the structure of muscles. As a drug, it is used, among other things, for the treatment of anemia. As for side effects, it can have a negative effect on the liver and deteriorate the quality of the skin and hair. [11]

Primobolan

Primobolan is a dihydrotestosterone derivative with a lower androgenic effect and is produced in both injectable and tablet versions. It helps to increase muscle mass and strength. It has served in medicine for the treatment of anemia. Prolonged use can cause increased hair growth, hair loss, voice change and acne[12].

...and more

We have mentioned above the "weaker" banned substances used by women (often in various combinations), but it can be assumed that the greater the demands on the amount of muscle mass a competition category has, the stronger the banned substances used. Although the cure of, for example, the female competitors of Mrs. Olympia is unknown to me, I judge from photos and videos that the substances they take will not be that different from those sought by male bodybuilders.

If women overdo it.

Long-term use of anabolic substances with androgenic effects always takes a toll on women. Apart from the increase in muscle mass, there are other changes to be reckoned with.

1) Enlargement of the clitoris - the clitoris is essentially a shrunken penis that is very sensitive to the effects of testosterone. When taking anabolic steroids, it gets bigger.

2) Breast reduction

3) Behavioral changes - more aggressiveness, depressive states

4) Deeper voice - the more testosterone, the deeper the voice

5) Increased hair growth - cheeks, torso, chin, upper lip area

6) Hair loss

7) Change in facial features - features are rougher, woman looks older in the face

8) Deteriorated skin - it is oilier, acne may form

9) Risk of infertility - loss of menstruation
[13, 14, 15]

Bottom line

It's up to each of us what path we choose to take, we just have to take into account the potential health consequences of our choice. Female bodybuilding and the use of banned substances is something that many of us are not sympathetic to, but on the other hand it is a decision made by a particular woman that we should respect. Disagreement can be expressed in a polite way, not just by "kicking" those whose goals and ideals don't fit the standard we set.

This article is informational only and in no way encourages female readers to use bannedsubstances.

[Image and information sources: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed - 1, 2, 3, healthline.com, sciencedirect.com, researchgate.net, examine.com, medlineplus.gov - 1, 2, unboundmedicine.com, t-nation.com, Virginia Sanchez, Irene Andersen, Nataliya Kuznetsova, spotmegirl.com]