From the Guidelines
I strongly advise against using steroids for women's muscle growth due to the significant health risks and lack of medical approval for this purpose. The use of anabolic steroids like Anavar (oxandrolone) and Winstrol (stanozolol) can cause serious side effects including voice deepening, facial hair growth, menstrual irregularities, clitoral enlargement, and liver damage, as noted in various studies 1. These masculinizing effects can be permanent even after stopping use.
Key Considerations
- The most recent and highest quality study, published in 2021, states that there are insufficient consistent clinical data to recommend currently approved androgenic steroids to increase muscle mass 1.
- The potential benefits of steroid use do not outweigh the risks, particularly in women, where the side effects can be severe and long-lasting.
- Natural approaches to muscle growth, such as progressive resistance training, adequate protein intake, sufficient calories, proper recovery, and potentially legal supplements like creatine monohydrate, provide sustainable results without the dangerous side effects of steroids.
Recommendations
- Women seeking muscle growth should focus on natural approaches, including:
- Progressive resistance training (3-4 times weekly)
- Adequate protein intake (1.6-2g per kg of bodyweight daily)
- Sufficient calories
- Proper recovery
- Potentially legal supplements like creatine monohydrate (3-5g daily)
- If seeking performance enhancement, consult with healthcare providers about legal, safe options tailored to individual health needs.
From the Research
Anabolic Steroids for Women's Muscle Growth
- Anabolic steroids are composed of testosterone and other substances related to testosterone that promote growth of skeletal muscle, increase hemoglobin concentration, and mediate secondary sexual characteristics 2.
- Women use anabolic androgenic steroids to increase their muscle mass and because of their performance-enhancing effects, despite the permanent/high risk of side effects 3.
- The use of anabolic steroids by women can cause significant cosmetic and reproductive changes, and can be addictive 2.
Types of Anabolic Steroids
- There are various types of anabolic steroids, including testosterone derivatives, which are used either clinically or by athletes for their anabolic properties 4.
- However, scientists have questioned the anabolic effects of testosterone and its derivatives in normal men for decades, and most have concluded that anabolic steroids do not increase muscle size or strength in people with normal gonadal function 4.
Effects of Anabolic Steroids on Women
- Women who use anabolic steroids may experience a range of effects, including increased muscle size and strength, deepening of the voice, increased facial hair, increased aggressiveness, clitoral enlargement, and menstrual irregularities 5.
- Despite these side effects, some women are willing to use anabolic steroids to achieve their goals, and may experience a sense of pride when they successfully achieve their goals 3.
Alternative Supplements for Muscle Growth
- Creatine supplementation has been shown to increase lean muscle mass and exercise capacity when used with short-duration, high-intensity exercise, and may provide additional benefits including enhanced postexercise recovery, injury prevention, and rehabilitation 6.
- Creatine supplementation is safe and well tolerated in healthy individuals and in a number of patient populations, and may be a viable alternative to anabolic steroids for women seeking to increase their muscle mass 6.