Anabolic steroids, synthetic variations of testosterone, are sometimes misused by women seeking weight loss and enhanced physical performance. While these substances can increase muscle mass and reduce fat, their use carries significant risks, particularly for women. This article explores the use of anabolic steroids for weight loss in women, examining the potential benefits, side effects, and overall considerations.
Understanding Anabolic Steroids
Anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) are manufactured forms of testosterone, the primary androgen. Healthcare providers prescribe anabolic steroids mainly to treat low testosterone (male hypogonadism) and other conditions, such as to stimulate muscle growth for people with certain cancers or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). However, some athletes, bodybuilders, and others misuse these drugs in an attempt to enhance performance and/or improve their physical appearance.
Anabolic steroids come in several forms:
- Pills
- Injections
- Creams or topical gels
- Skin patches
- Implantable pellets
Common Anabolic Steroids
There are several prescription anabolic steroids, including:
- Danazol (Danocrine®)
- Fluoxymesterone (Androxy®, Halotestin®)
- Mesterolone (Proviron®)
- Methyltestosterone (Android®, Methitest®, Testred®, Virilon®)
- Nandrolone Deconoate (Deca-Durabolin®)
- Nandrolone Phenpropionate (Durabalin®)
- Oxandrolone (Oxandrin®)
- Oxymetholone (Anadrol®)
- Testosterone buccal system (Striant®)
- Testosterone capsules (Jatenzo®)
- Testosterone injection (Andro-L.A.®, Aveed®, Delatestryl®, Depo-Testosterone®, Virilon® Xyosted®)
- Testosterone nasal gel (Natesto®)
- Testosterone patches (Androderm®, Testoderm®)
- Testosterone skin solution (Axiron®)
- Testosterone subcutaneous pellets (Testopel®)
Anabolic Steroid Use in Women
Even though the use of anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) is considered to be a health problem, little is known about women using AAS, despite the expectedly high risk of side effects, even permanent ones. AAS are categorized as illegal substances in Sweden, but they are effective and can greatly increase strength, muscle, and fat-free mass when combined with strength training. They have also shown a performance-enhancing effect in women. Women generally take fewer substances and lower doses. In females, sports performance appears to be the main reason for using AAS, especially in bodybuilding and weightlifting. Women identify themselves as competitive bodybuilders or power lifters and appear to be influenced by the men with whom they are in close relationships. Currently, no deeper knowledge or understanding exist of women's experiences of using AAS, therefore it is important to study this phenomenon.
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Clenbuterol: A "Non-Steroidal Steroid"
Clenbuterol is a fat-burning drug that raises your metabolic rate. In some countries, it is available by prescription only for people with asthma or other breathing problems. Since 1998, the FDA has allowed clenbuterol for treating horses with asthma. It is not allowed for animals that are used in food production. Clenbuterol is a substance that has steroid-like effects and is classified as a beta2-adrenergic agonist. This means that it stimulates the beta2-adrenergic receptors in your throat. The medicine helps relax your muscles and lungs, making it easier to breathe if you have asthma or another respiratory condition. It can stay in your body for up to 39 hours after you take it.
However, clenbuterol - also called clen - is abused by athletes and bodybuilders for its ability to burn fat. The same receptors that are activated when taking clenbuterol for asthma also help to burn off fat and increase lean muscle mass. Athletes who use clenbuterol daily typically take 60 to 120 micrograms per day. Normally this is taken in combination with other performance-enhancing drugs or anabolic steroids. Clenbuterol increases your body temperature through a process called thermogenesis. Once your body temp is up, your metabolism is then primed to burn off more calories. Since fat is stored in the body as energy, your body can use the calories that you already have stored. This can decrease your body fat and lower your overall weight. Because clenbuterol is a bronchodilator, it opens up your airways when you take it. This is helpful for those with asthma. For athletes, this allows them to increase their stamina by having more airflow moving around the body. More oxygen is available, so you can perform harder and better.
Even though it isn’t legal in the US, athletes and bodybuilders continue to abuse clen to help them cut weight and increase muscle mass. Many see it as an alternative to anabolic steroids - the drugs that typically come to mind when you think of performance-enhancing substances. It has the reputation of being a “non-steroidal steroid” due to its ability to mimic steroids. Since it isn’t technically a steroid, some athletes saw clenbuterol for bodybuilding as a more “natural” approach to building muscle. Even though it is illegal and has several side effects, many athletes still abuse clen.
Advantages of Clenbuterol
- Fewer androgenic side effects. It’s thought that clenbuterol is more popular than anabolic steroids with female bodybuilders because there are fewer androgenic side effects. Steroids typically cause side effects like an increase in facial hair or the deepening of your voice. Clenbuterol is not known to cause these.
- Rapid weight loss. As noted, clenbuterol works by raising your metabolism, helping you to burn off fat. One study involved two groups of overweight men who were put on the same strict diet. One group was given clenbuterol and one wasn't. Over ten weeks, the group who received clenbuterol lost an average of 11.4 kilograms of fat and the control group lost 8.7 kilograms of fat.
- Appetite suppression. Many bodybuilders rely on clenbuterol before an upcoming performance or competition to trim off extra fat. A secondary effect of this drug is that it helps curb your appetite so that you take in fewer calories. Not every person experiences this effect, however.
Side Effects of Clenbuterol
Many athletes and bodybuilders use clenbuterol for its benefits - but there are several dangerous side effects to be aware of. Some of the most common side effects include:
- Heart palpitations
- Tremors
- Increased heart rate (tachycardia)
- Lowered blood potassium (hypokalemia)
- High blood sugar (hyperglycemia)
- Anxiety
- Agitation
- Sweating
- Cardiac arrest
- Feeling hot or warm
- Insomnia
- Muscle cramps
You are more likely to have these side effects if you take higher doses of clenbuterol to achieve its weight loss effects. Since this drug stays in your body for quite a while, you could have side effects anywhere from one to eight days. Studies show that more than 80% of people abusing clenbuterol who had serious side effects had to be hospitalized. New users of clenbuterol are more likely to experience side effects than people who have previously taken it.
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Oxandrolone: An Anabolic Steroid Used in Recovery
Oxandrolone (Oxandrin®) is another anabolic steroid that has been studied for its effects on weight gain and muscle function, particularly in recovery phases after severe burns. A study examined the effect of oxandrolone combined with a high-protein diet (2 g/kg/day) on the rate of weight gain and restoration of muscle function in the recovery phase after deep burns of 30 to 50% of total body surface. The findings were compared with findings from an isocaloric (2 g/kg/day protein) diet alone.
Study Results
The study found that the average weight gain during the first 3 weeks was 14.5 +/- 2.5 pounds and that the physical therapy index was 8.8 +/- 0.5 of recovery in the oxandrolone-protein group (n = 7); both of these values were significantly greater than the corresponding values in the other groups. In the high-protein alone group (n = 6), weight gain was 7.5 +/- 1.7 pounds and physical therapy index was 7.0 +/- 0.8. In the retrospective group (n = 10), weight gain was 4.4 +/- 0.8 pounds and function index was 4.1 +/- 0.5. The daily caloric intake was not different between groups. Protein content and oxandrolone were the variables. No side effects were noted with oxandrolone.
Potential Benefits and Risks
While oxandrolone showed promise in aiding weight gain and muscle recovery in burn patients, it's essential to note that this was a specific clinical context. The use of oxandrolone and other anabolic steroids for weight loss and performance enhancement in healthy individuals carries significant risks, especially for women.
The Dark Side: Risks and Side Effects for Women
Even though AAS use is mainly a male phenomenon, it is not limited to men. One explanation why women do not use AAS to the same extent may be that women are not as interested as men in becoming very muscular and are more vulnerable to the masculinizing effects of AAS e.g., change of voice, enlargement of clitoris.
Using AAS means living with feelings of fear, guilt, shame, and vulnerability. It is an arduous endeavor to balance the substances' side effects with desired femininity. Existing standards of femininity casts a permanent shadow over existence. Constant search for knowledge leads to insights about the use of AAS. A self-preoccupation is shown as emotional coldness toward and distanced from people around.
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Masculinizing Effects
Women are uncertain about being able to handle this balancing act and live in a fear of losing their femininity. They have an inner limit for acceptable side effects, so they struggle to maintain the balance between desirable muscle development and acceptable side effects. Not being able to get pregnant, and permanent side effects such as clitoral enlargement, increased body hair or a deeper voice frighten them. However, in order to develop in training and to have a realistic chance of meeting other people in the bodybuilding sport, certain risks must be taken. If muscle development is too slow, thoughts may appear of increasing the dose or switching to a more potent substance.
Psychological Effects
To manage body anxiety, women begin strength training in order to build muscles, allowing them to eat more without gaining weight. Despite hard training and the use of AAS, women may still feel that they are not achieving what they want. The feeling of dissatisfaction persists even though their muscles are getting bigger. Their distorted body image makes it difficult for them to perceive their own bodily changes realistically and also to receive positive comments from others. To gauge their progress, they ask selected people for advice, look at photographs of themselves, use tape measures or try on clothes.
Women control their lack of self-esteem through their performance. It is important to be successful to counteract early fears of not being good enough. Lack of self-esteem is regulated through self-control and discipline and this is achieved mainly by following strict dietary and hard exercise routines. Building one's body provides the opportunity to demonstrate skills and value.
Societal Pressures and Vulnerability
A muscular appearance makes women vulnerable. Disgusting comments and shameful suggestions to women with muscular looks come from men in social media who are fascinated by women with strong, muscular bodies. Unwanted confirmation in daily life occurs too: unknown people pinch and feel women's bodies without warning and without asking for permission.
These women need to focus to be able to attain their goals, and this need tends to exclude family and friends. Their self-centered behavior mainly revolves round routines related to food and exercise. A bodybuilder's lifestyle is tough and time-consuming. In addition to foodplanning and several workouts per day, most are employed and have to work.
Lived Experiences of Women Using AAS
Lifeworld interviews were conducted with 12 women, aged 21-56 years, about their experiences of using anabolic steroids. The results show that women experience a sense of pride when they successfully achieve their goals. This is the driving force, triggering tension between suffering and success.