Steroid use isn't restricted to men or illegal usage; women can be steroid users as well, and steroids can be prescribed by a physician. Women may need the drugs prescribed by a physician to recover from surgery or deal with a range of illnesses, or may choose to use the drugs to build muscles or to improve their looks and increase muscle definition. Whatever the reason women are using steroids, the side effects are the same. The major difference is that doctor-prescribed steroids are commonty used for a short period of time, and illegal steroids may be used extensively over long periods. The side effects of steroids gain severity with extended use, so the drugs should be used only for the duration prescribed by a doctor.
Physical Side Effects
Women using anabolic steroids can see an increase in lean muscle mass; as with all steroid users, their muscular recovery time will be shorter. Women lose many of their natural curves as their body fat is reduced and replaced by lean muscle. Male-pattern baldness is another physical effect of steroid usage, as is loss of breast tissue and changes in the skin. Women may also experience facial hair growth and a deeper voice with steroid use. With all steroid use, there is a risk of bloating, as steroids cause sodium to be retained within the body.
Reproductive Side Effects
Steroid use causes many reproductive changes. Women may lose their monthly menstrual cycle. In addition, female steroid users are at higher risk for reproductive cancers. Women may lose the ability to bear children. Unfortunately, not all of the side effects of steroid use are reversible; women may suffer permanent sterility because of steroid use.
According to a report from the University of Limburg by physiologist Dr. Harm Kuipers, many women will experience an irreversible enlargement of the clitoris as well as an increase in libido when using anabolic steroids.
Emotional Effects
Females using steroids can see an increase in typically male behavior, such as aggressiveness and violence. This aggressive attitude may improve weight lifting workouts, but the behavior isn't always kept in the weight room and can carry over into daily activities. In addition, steroid users may see an increase in depression and suicidal tendencies. The steroid user can experience mood changes, from extreme confidence to feelings of inadequacy. This can make steroid use highly psychologically addictive, as the user feels she needs the drugs to improve appearance and athletic performance. Women using prescribed legal steroids may not develop psychological addiction to the drug, as their reasons for using the drugs are different.
