7 Best Steroids For Women to Lose Weight And Get Ripped

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Written By Jonathan Deventer

Steroids For Women to Lose Weight

What are the best steroids for women to use and what are the potential benefits and side effects?

Almost every female bodybuilder has questions about steroids women can use.

Steroids have become somewhat accepted for use by men, at least socially.

But there are still many questions about the efficacy and safety of steroids for women.

Can a girl take steroids?

The answer is yes, but with some caveats that we will get into in this article.

Some women have used anabolic-androgenic steroids to build lean muscle mass and achieve a toned, ripped body — or for big gains.

Other women are interested in taking steroids for weight loss as part of a cutting phase. Some steroids are perceived to be friendly to females, such as Anavar and Winstrol, but even these can cause serious side effects.

One of the reasons there are so many misconceptions about women’s use of steroids is because the recreational use of steroids has not been formally studied.

Many countries like Canada and USA have banned their use, production and sale without a prescription.

As a result, the official studies demonstrating the true effects of steroids on women for performance enhancement are few and far between.

Steroids For Women

bulking ans cutting steroids

One of the biggest fears of steroids side effects in women is the loss of femininity (virilization) or concerns about bulking up too much.

This is why female bodybuilders tend to take milder anabolic agents that have fewer androgenic side effects less likely to cause virilization.

What steroids do female bodybuilders use? The seven best steroids for women (or non-steroid performance enhancing drugs) are perceived to be:

Many consider there to be three main groups of women who may consider steroids for athletic performance. Female bodybuilders, female fitness or figure competitors, and the normal woman at the gym trying to get in the best shape possible.

Apart from steroids, drugs such as Clenbuterol have also been used if the goal is weight loss.

However, more and more women are also turning to what they call legal steroid alternatives.

These dietary supplements do not contain steroids but instead have natural ingredients that can help people get results without putting unnecessary risk on their bodies.

Although manufacturers are not allowed to call them steroid alternatives under current regulations, some of these dietary supplements may have anabolic effects of this nature.

CrazyBulk is one such company that has a line of bodybuilding supplements which they claim can help with many different goals including weight loss and muscle definition results, but don’t have dangerous side effects.

We’ll review the safest and most effective female steroid cycles to help you do this no matter which category you fall under.

Guide to Steroids for Women

All anabolic-androgenic steroids used for bodybuilding are based off of the male hormone testosterone.

As you may already know, females secrete estrogen in their body in significant amounts which gives them female characteristics. Men on the other hand produce testosterone which gives them male characteristics.

However, women also produce some amount of testosterone naturally. Females secrete about 0.25mg of testosterone per day while men secrete 2.5 to 11mg of testosterone.

The point?

Women are physiologically different from men!

We need to understand this first before even considering anabolic steroid types used in women.

Women naturally have lower testosterone levels, which is why they tend to put on less muscle mass and don’t develop as much strength as male bodybuilders.

Some female bodybuilders turn to anabolic agents to increase testosterone activity in the body.

But women have only about 10% of testosterone that men have.

So it makes sense that a small increase in the level of testosterone can disrupt the natural hormonal balance of women and produce dramatic changes when compared to the same dose in men taking anabolic steroids.

Because of the female physiology, steroids used by men can have a devastating effect on females.

Some of the unique undesirable side effects can include virilization or developing male sexual characteristics as described in detail later in this article.

Female steroid users run the risk of negative effects of high dose exposure to androgens, which include fertility and menstrual issues, deepening of the voice, and heart problems.

Steroids like Winstrol, Anavar, or Primobolan are all synthetic versions of testosterone that have been modified in different ways and are considered less harsh to the female users.

But female bodybuilders who use them can still experience some serious adverse reactions.

If women take injections of this male hormone directly, chances are they will quickly develop serious side effects like clitoral enlargement, disruption to their menstrual cycle, facial hair growth and other masculinizing effects.

Some steroids may be considered gentler in terms of their androgenic effects, but none are without risk if used outside of the medical realm. Female bodybuilders use these agents thinking they are the only way to increase protein synthesis and muscle growth.

However, there are many examples of successful female bodybuilders who have achieved great results without the use of steroids.

That’s why using dietary supplements such as those by CrazyBulk is considered a safer way to help enhance performance without taking the health and legal risks that performance enhancing drugs carry.

CrazyBulk has three supplements that are promoted for female bodybuilding.

The brand claims that each one is 100% legal and safe with no side effects.

Anavar – The Beginner Steroid Cycle

buy-anavar

Is Anavar a steroid? It is, but Anavar is called “the girl steroid” for a reason.

Some bodybuilders consider Anavar to be mild enough to be effective without causing women to lose their feminine qualities.

At low enough therapeutic doses, virilization is typically a non-issue. Unlike other oral steroids, which are very hard on the female body, bodybuilders often believe Anavar (Oxandrolone) to be relatively safe and effective.

However, no steroid is safe unless used solely for medical purposes. There is not enough scientific evidence out there to suggest otherwise.

One of the reasons Anavar is thought to be safe for females is because of its low androgenic ratio of 24 compared to Testosterone at 100.

That’s why this drug is so widely accepted by the bodybuilding community, because the side effects of excessive masculinization are less common than with harsher steroids such as Dianabol or Trenbolone.

Anavar results for women are considered to be most effective during the off-season, when women can easily gain lean tissue mass with this steroid. It’s not true for men however, as it has very little effect on the male body for this purpose.

Side Effects: Although the chances of developing side effects from this anabolic androgenic steroid are lower than with others, there is still a chance that the worst female bodybuilding side effects will come true.

This is especially true if you use Oxandrolone for long periods of time at a high dose.

They might include:

  • Virilization
  • Deepening of the voice
  • Clitoral enlargement
  • Increase in body hair
  • High blood pressure
  • Cholesterol problems
  • Acne

If any side effects come about, you should stop taking it.

What is Anvarol?

Anvarol is a safe and legal dietary supplement that is sold by CrazyBulk that people can take if they don’t want to risk the side effects of Anavar for women.

The supplement is composed of natural ingredients that the brand claims may provide powerful bodybuilding benefits while avoiding negative side effects.

For any female beginner who has thought about using steroids, or an experienced user who is concerned about side effects, poor quality from black market suppliers and potential legal penalties, Anvarol is an option many consider.

Anavar Dosage Cycles

Female bodybuilders report taking an Anavar dosage of 10mg per day, with the maximum being 15mg before virilization symptoms are likely to occur. Cycle length is typically reported to be 6-8 weeks.

Females may want to stack Anavar with a number of steroids depending on whether they are in a bulking cycle or a cutting cycle. Bodybuilders say that only experienced women should do this as first time users should stick with Anavar only cycles.

However, even taking Anavar on its own for bodybuilding is a huge risk to the health and safety of any female or male bodybuilder.

Despite these risks, potential stacks for women have included the following female bodybuilders steroids and drugs:

What is the best steroid for weight loss?
The question remains an important one not just because the answers are not clear but because there are a large number of women who supplement their workout routines with steroids.

Steroids for women to lose weight fast are more popular on the market than many people may realize.

Even though it’s not a steroid, of the drugs listed above, Clenbuterol is considered by many bodybuilders to be the best for weight loss.

Its mechanism of action stimulates the beta-2 receptor sites causing the body’s internal temperature to really heat up on a cellular level.

This temperature shift enhances the rate at which a person can burn fat reserves and while retaining lean muscle.

Women who are stuck on cycling an actual steroid for weight loss will often find Anavar to be at the top of the list in bodybuilder reviews and forums.

anvarol

Clenbuterol for Women’s Weight Loss

Clenbuterol is not actually an oral steroid, but is a stimulant drug that is frequently stacked with anabolic steroids like Winstrol and Anavar.

It is sometimes found in women’s weight loss stacks and is considered by some to be the best fat burner for female bodybuilders.

These people often ignore the undesirable and dangerous side effects while considering its ability to burn calories at an increased rate. As the body temperature goes up from the drug, the metabolism increases and fat loss may occur.

Clen was never approved for these purposes, in fact the FDA has never approved Clenbuterol for human consumption at all.

It’s considered by bodybuilders to be most effective during the two months before a competition when bodybuilders are looking for that perfect physique and figure. But only individuals who are already quite lean will see the full effects of this steroid.

The side effects of Clenbuterol include:

  • Feeling jittery or wired
  • Sweating
  • Nausea
  • Shaky hands
  • Headaches
  • Cramps

More severe side effects include:

  • High blood pressure
  • Irregular heartbeat
  • Trembling
  • Panic
  • Cardiac hypertrophy

Side effects of Clen should NOT be ignored. This is one of the most potent stimulants on the market and taking too much could be very dangerous.

Many women instead choose to use Clenbutrol – an herbal dietary supplement that has been used as an alternative to Clenbuterol.

It is made with natural ingredients and is claimed by CrazyBulk to also raise your metabolism and promote fat loss, but because it is all-natural it does not come with the dangers of Clenbuterol.

Clenbutrol is rated 4.5 stars with 37 reviews on CrazyBulk’s site. The brand promotes it for weight loss, lean muscle preservation on a cutting cycle and improved energy and workout performance.

The company claims it also increases oxygen transportation and cardiovascular performance to help you achieve a ripped, toned beach body. Click here to find out more about Clenbutrol

legal-clenbuterol-alternative

Winstrol – The Advanced Female Cycle

Another option that is considered to be asafe female bodybuilder steroid is Winstrol (Stanozolol).

It’s popular for men and women and is known to be one of the best steroids for cutting cycles for women.

It has a reputation for allowing women to maintain their strength while cutting, which would otherwise be lost without the oral steroid.

However, using Winstrol improperly or taking it for too long can result in signs of masculinization in the female body because of how it affects testosterone activity in the body.

Possible side effects of Winstrol for women include:

  • Virilization – which can include body hair growth, an enlarged clitoris, and a deeper voice
  • Hair loss
  • High cholesterol
  • Acne
  • High blood pressure
  • Strain on the liver
  • Although Winstrol suppresses natural testosterone production, women will not need exogenous testosterone therapy

A dose that is considered to be relatively safe for women is 5mg per day. Some women have reportedly tried 10mg per day, but advanced performance users recommend that only people with experience cycling Winstrol attempt this. Cycle that are more than 4-6 weeks are not recommended.

Winstrol is hepatoxic, which means that it causes liver enzymes to increase due to the way it and other 17-alpha alkylated steroids are metabolized by the body.

The oral tablets are very convenient, but if taken for long periods of time they will cause toxic damage to the liver and may result in cholestasis.

Taking other steroids by injection is usually a way to avoid the liver-toxic problems, but injectable Stanozolol is nearly if not just as liver toxic as the oral formulation. Injectable Winstrol is typically dosed every four days (20mg every fourth day) for 4-6 weeks.

For those women who don’t like the idea of steroid injections, or who don’t want to deal with the danger oral or injectable Stanozolol poses to their liver, there is another option.

Women who still want to benefit from some of Winstrol’s effects have reported success using a natural alternative to the steroid called Winsol by CrazyBulk.

This is the closest legal bodybuilding supplement to Winstrol, and it is promoted to be ideal for increasing strength, promoting fat loss and enhancing the female physique. Find out more about how Winsol works here.

While Winsol seeks to mimic the effects of real Winstrol, it is not an exact substitute. It will generate weight loss and bodybuilding effects on a smaller scale than real Winstrol, but it claims to add strength and fat burning to your workout without the nasty side effects of real Stanozolol.

Best Winstrol Legal Alternative

Nolvadex — A Female Steroid Adjunct

Although it’s not technically an anabolic steroid, it’s used by many female bodybuilders on steroids to control estrogen.

It’s actually a Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulator (SERM). Scientifically known as Tamoxifen Citrate, it’s well tolerated during male and female anabolic steroid cycles.

Side effects for women (but are not that common) include:

  • Having an upset stomach
  • Headaches
  • Hot flashes
  • Vaginal Itching
  • Vaginal discharge
  • Vaginal bleeding
  • Vaginal discomfort
  • Rashes
  • Pulmonary embolism
  • Endometrial changes
  • Decreased white blood cell count
  • Increased triglyceride levels

Human Growth Hormone for Female Bodybuilders

HGH is one of the most tolerated performance hormones for women and men. While it’s not technically a steroid, many people colloquially refer to it as one because it has anabolic properties and is used by performance athletes.

The following results and benefits are reportedly achieved with human growth hormone for women (and men):

  • Tighter body
  • Lower body fat percentage
  • Stronger bones
  • Faster recovery from workouts
  • Faster metabolism
  • Better sleep
  • Stronger tendons
  • Feeling healthy
  • Feeling full of energy
  • Increased lean tissue growth
  • Better joint strength
  • Healthier skin
  • Looking more youthful

All these benefits are surprising to some since it is held to be one of the safest hormones available to performance athletes today. The risk/reward ratio is regarded to be heavily weighted towards reward. Advanced performance users will say that as long as you keep your doses at reasonable levels, you should be fine.

Another related compound is Insulin-Like Growth Factor 1 (IGF-1), which also has muscle-building effects and works in conjunction with HGH to promote protein synthesis.

Increasing Insulin-Like Growth Factor 1 is also not associated with any negative testosterone-like side effects in females.

However, side effects include:

  • Water retention
  • Feeling sick
  • Joint pain
  • Headaches
  • Carpal tunnel syndrome
  • Injection site pain

Ephedrine for a Cutting Cycle

Some of the best weight loss for women results in the short term are believed to be from Ephedrine.

Although it is not medically considered the number one form of treatment for obesity, bodybuilders have embraced it to cut fat before competitions.

Bodybuilders commonly take it as part of the ECA stack, which stands for Ephedrine, Caffeine and Aspirin. You can’t buy Ephedrine for weight loss or bodybuilding legally in the USA.

It was banned because of the side effects that include heart attacks and strokes, leading to death.

Primobolan

Primobolan is reputed to be one of the safest female bodybuilder steroids. There are two versions of the drug, one is the oral anabolic steroid version, and the other is the injectable (called Primobolan Depot).

Some of the most compelling female steroids before and after bodybuilding photos are seemingly of competitors using Primobolan.

The risk of virilization is felt to be low with this steroid, but it still has the ability to cause such effects.

It is recommended in bodybuilding circles to keep your dose to moderate levels (25-75mg per day for female performance enhancement) to avoid unnecessary side effects and to see results without losing your feminine traits.

Deca Durabolin

Although it’s not found to be the most efficient of the female bodybuilder steroids, Deca Durabolin (Nandrolone) at low enough doses (50-100mg per week) is commonly observed in bodybuilding communities to be effective for women without causing virilization symptoms.

However, the other steroids listed here are typically considered to be much better. Nandrolone is mostly used in therapeutic doses for women.

What Steroids Do Female Bodybuilders Use?

Some steroids can change women dramatically when compared to men because of their androgenic efficacy and intensity.

When considering the so-called best female friendly anabolic steroids, one should look for products that have low androgenic properties and more anabolic properties.

These compounds are often problematically called “mild” anabolic steroids.

They are engineered to have low side effects of virilization compared to other steroids which promise greater leaps in muscle mass.

However, one cannot simply remove all the androgenic properties in anabolic steroids.

Even in anabolic hormone products which claim no side effects of virilization, there is still some amount of risk as complete dissociation of anabolic effect and androgenic effect is not possible.

Therefore, women need to be aware of this when using these so-called “mild” anabolic steroids.

Women using anabolic steroids should also avoid long-estered anabolic steroids like Deca Durabolin as they have a longer half-life.

The rationale behind that choice is those anabolic steroids will stay in the female’s body for longer periods of time, well past a 4 week cycle in some cases.

It will also take more time to completely clear from the body.

This prolonged exposure can increase the risk and duration of side effects.

The hormonal imbalance in females will result in worsening of virilization even after 2 or 3 weeks of cessation of the anabolic steroid.

Some of these long lasting effects can be seen in long estered anabolic steroids which are attached with compounds like Decanoate, Enanthate, Undecylenate and Cypionate esters.

Some anabolic steroids have more androgenic properties and they are considered more harmful to women than others.

Examples of steroids that have a high androgenic profile include Anadrol (Oxymetholone), Trenbolone and Dianabol (Methandrostenolone).

They have higher risk profiles, and females who go for these options should be well informed of what they are getting into.

When these compounds are affixed with a long ester, the combined effect would be profound and would lead to serious health problems as described in this article.

However, the choice to use these lies in the hands of the individual woman.

Some may use them at their own discretion to achieve specific goals, such as in preparation for a female bodybuilding competition.

Since most females are not involved in such competitive and intense activities, most can stay clear of steroids period — even the supposed female-friendly ones.

For women only seeking to improve their figure and fitness with no specific athletic goals, steroids are overkill.

Women who are not into competitive sports and merely using them for recreational use need to avoid these strong substances with the potent androgenic effect mentioned already.

But if you are set on incorporating steroids into your fitness routine, be sure to avoid these ones.

Crazy Bulk Cutting Stack

What Steroids Should Women Not Use?

The worst steroids for women would be the ones with high androgenic ratings.

Women should not use the following steroids:

  • Anadrol
  • Dianabol (Dianabolos)
  • Trenbolone (Parabolan)
  • Testosterone (unless a doctor finds you deficient in Testosterone)

When choosing the best type of anabolic steroid, a woman is recommended to weigh risks versus benefits and chose the drug which has the lowest side effects profile and lowest chance of virilization.

However, the final decision of choosing which anabolic steroid to use lies with the individual woman.

There are some women who like to push their limits by utilizing strong androgenic anabolic steroids such as Trenbolone, Testosterone and other more potent drugs.

When women use anabolic steroids to enhance their performance and improve physique, they are in fact taking exogenous testosterone, or an exogenous testosterone derivative, made synthetically in a laboratory.

This will invariably disrupt the natural hormonal balance which makes women unique from men.

Therefore, there is a risk of females developing male characteristics along with increased muscle mass.

Any woman who is considering taking anabolic steroids needs to know this important detail.

Best Steroids for Women to Get Ripped

The best steroid for firming and toning your body is widely considered to be Anavar. But while not steroids, Clenbuterol and Ephedrine rank just as high in terms of popularity for melting fat quickly.

Steroids For Women To Gain Muscle

The best bulking steroids for women to gain weight quickly are believed to be Primobolan, Winstrol and Deca Durabolin. Winstrol promises to get you the strength, but Deca Durabolin is known to help with real gains.

Women have to be careful with Deca because of the risk of side effects.

List of General Steroids Side Effects Women Face

  • Cardiovascular problems
  • Inhibition of natural hormones
  • Mood changes
  • Depression, anxiety
  • Postpartum depression
  • Roid Rage
  • Menstrual cycle abnormalities
  • Worsened moods before menstruation
  • Virilization
  • Acne
  • Lower HDL cholesterol (good cholesterol)
  • Increase LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol)
  • Liver damage
  • Body hair growth
  • Sterility
  • Water retention
  • Weakened immune system
  • Higher blood pressure
  • Kidney problems

Women who are pregnant, planning to be pregnant or breastfeeding should not take steroids unless a doctor prescribes them.

Steroid Stacks For Women

Steroid forums are filled with users reporting their favourite stacks that include various mixes of the steroids that are safe for women, including Arimidex, T3 Cytomel, Equipoise (in extremely low dosages), Testosterone (if deficient), Clenbuterol, HGH, Ephedrine, Nolvadex, Deca Durabolin, and Primobolan.

How dangerous it is for women depends on the androgenic and anabolic ratios. They may also stack with Ostarine, Cardarine, Andarine, N2Guard.

Best Steroid Cycles For Women

Steroid cycles for women are said to be one of the most effective ways for women to gain muscle quickly.

Women are often recommended by experienced powerlifters to take on light and long cycles.

For example, a woman might be recommended to take only 10 mg of Winstrol over six, seven or eight weeks total before taking a rest.

Like men, women need to be in the right shape for steroids to be effective.

Bodybuilders will argue that the training program needs to be fine-tuned to a person’s individual body before they can even begin to consider steroids.

This training program will be different for different body types, different goals and different diets.

For example, some women might do cardiovascular exercise three times a week for 30 minutes at a time.

They might supplement this with a developed weight training routine that is scheduled for four days each week.

In addition to a good training plan, women also need to make sure their diet is up to scratch. Simply taking steroids does not work for anyone.

The body’s metabolism is a complex system and respecting its role is important in order to avoid long-term damage.

There are differences in male and female anabolic steroid choices.

While men need testosterone to be included in every cycle, women do not need this at all.

For men, it is needed because the steroids suppress endogenous production of testosterone and they need testosterone for their bodies to function properly.

But for women, testosterone is not needed and should be minimized as much as possible.

Females also don’t need PCT (Post Cycle Therapy) for similar reasons.

However there is controversy regarding this topic. Some disagree that PCT is an unnecessary step for women.

Some also disagree that women should engage in long cycles.

Some performance users would say that women should not engage in longer cycles of more than 4 weeks as there is a risk of virilization with prolonged use. However, men often use longer cycles as virilization is not a concern for other men. But that doesn’t mean men who cycle steroids are not exposed to risk.

Beginners Cutting Cycle

cutting-cycle

These steroid cycles are for general information purposes only. This information should not be used as a substitute for the advice of a healthcare professional. Be sure to ask your doctor before engaging in performance use of steroids.

These dosage guidelines are entirely anecdotal and are not supported by any rigourous studies, since bodybuilding is not an approved use of anabolic androgenic steroids.

A common beginner cycle for female steroid use might look like this:

WeekAnavar DoseClenbuterol DoseNolvadex Dose
Week 110mg each day20mcg each day
Week 210mg40mcg each day
Week 310mg40mcg each day
Week 410mg60mcg each day
Week 510mg60mcg each day
Week 610mg80mcg each day10mg each day
Week 780mcg each day10mg each day

Beginner/Intermediate Female Bulking Steroid Cycle

A female performance user of steroids with some experience may decide to try to “bulk up” with an intermediate steroid cycle like the following:

WeekAnavar DoseClenbuterol DoseCytomel DoseHGH DoseNolvadex Dose
Week 110mg/day20mcg/day25mcg/day1iu/day
Week 210mg/day40mcg/day25mcg/day1iu/day
Week 310mg/day40mcg/day25mcg/day1iu/day
Week 410mg/day40mcg/day37.5mcg/day1iu/day
Week 510mg/day60mcg/day37.5mcg/day1iu/day
Week 610mg/day60mcg/day50mcg/day1iu/day
Week 710mg/day80mcg/day50mcg/day1iu/day10mg/day

Steroids for women are generally thought to go best with a high protein diet.

Some resources recommend that women get half of their daily calories from protein when bulking. They should then get the other 30 percent from fat and 20 percent from carbs.

Women also tend to supplement with vitamins and nutrients like omega-3 fats and fiber.

Finally, extra protein and probiotics are thought to be essential for maintaining overall health during a bulking cycle.

Advanced Bulking Cycle

A woman with a degree of experience under her belt may forge into a more advanced steroid cycle. The following is an example of what that might look like:

WeekAnavar Dose/ dayPrimobolan Dose/ weekClenbuterol Dose/ dayCytomel Dose/ dayHGH Dose/ dayNolvadex Dose/ day
Week 110mg20mcg25mcg2iu
Week 210mg40mcg25mcg2iu
Week 310mg100mg40mcg25mcg2iu
Week 410mg100mg40mcg37.5mcg2iu
Week 510mg100mg60mcg37.5mcg2iu
Week 610mg100mg60mcg50mcg2iu
Week 710mg80mcg50mcg2iu10mg
Week  810mg80mcg50mcg2iu10mg

Post Cycle Therapy For Women

Do women need a PCT after their steroids cycle?

Men take post cycle therapy to help restore testosterone levels, but women don’t need to do that.

The general assumption is that women don’t need a PCT.

There is no published research on the use of PCT agents in females for the aim of restoring normalcy in hormone function following an anabolic steroid cycle.

Unofficial reports by bodybuilders indicate that very few women who use the anabolic steroids take part in PCT programs after an anabolic steroid cycle is concluded. On women’s steroid forums, some people discuss PCT options if certain side effects appear such as depression, hormonal imbalances or any other abnormal conditions.

However, women are felt to not necessarily need PCT as the main reason for a PCT plan is to help men restore the Hypothalamic Pituitary Testicular Axis (HPTA) and recover the ability to naturally produce testosterone.

Women do not have testicles and do not typically require restoration of their testosterone levels. It is interesting to note that common PCT drugs like Human Chronioc Gonadotropin (HCG), Arimidex (Anastrozole), Tamoxifen (Nolvadex), Aromasin (Exemestane) and Clomiphene (Clomid) among many others were originally developed to fight breast cancer.

These compounds, while observed to be beneficial in males following a steroid cycle, will actually worsen female hormone imbalances stemming from the use of steroids. They are also associated with a number of side effects that are harmful and difficult for women.

Female anabolic users have been advised in bodybuilding communities against all traditional PCT compounds unless they have been prescribed one by a qualified physician.

Some of the medications have a reputation for boosting fertility in females, such as the HCG and Clomid. But even these tend to pose very complicated issues with regard to the female endocrine physiology. The drugs should only be administered under the supervision of a medical professional.

Some bodybuilders claim that the female endocrine system will actually correct itself within a period of time following the cessation the anabolic drug.

The fact that female anabolic users do not have to go through a PCT to recover natural testosterone production is cited as one of the advantages that female steroid users have.

Reports of women engaging in PCT following their cycles do exist, but there is no empirical support to show that it is necessary. The dominant position in bodybuilding discussions is that PCT drugs may actually complicate a woman’s recovery efforts.

As long as no form of robust evidence emerges in support of the benefits of a PCT for female steroid users, females are normally advised by other bodybuilders to steer clear of them completely for their own benefit and health.

Using Steroids Safely

Female physique builders will say that the key to the safe use of steroids for women is responsible use. This is the same for men who can suffer extreme side effects when using steroids haphazardly.

People who abuse steroid supplements or misuse them are more likely to suffer from the negative side effects that so many politicians and scientists are worried about.

Because of their genetic makeup, women do need to use steroids and hormones differently than men do. To avoid severely disrupting their systems, women are more likely to cycle steroids that are weak in terms of their androgenic rating.

Some of the most popular compounds include Nolvadex, Winstrol, Maxibolin, Primobolan and Anavar.

How to Spot Women on Steroids

Clenbuterol for Women – Before and After Results with Pictures

Looking for before and after pictures of women taking steroid cycles?

There are tell-tale signs that everyone can pick out of female athletes and bodybuilders who are likely abusing anabolic-androgenic steroids.

Of course, the most obvious signs are especially large muscles, increased vascularity, growth of facial hair and changes in the shape of the jaw.

But female users of steroids can also show other signs that suggest they are taking synthetic male hormones. A low or raspy voice is an obvious sign, especially in adult women who have had a recent change in their vocal tone.

Changes in mood can also be a sign. Women with musclar upper chests, shoulders and deltoids may also be taking steroids since these areas of the body are difficult for females to develop.

Generally, if a woman has a high prevalance of man-like features (AKA looks like a man), she is probably on steroids.

Many of these signs are irreversible, which is while female athletes and bodybuilders need to think seriously about putting their bodies at risk with the use of anabolic steroids.

Steroid Side Effects For Women

The idea of women and steroids seems almost like a non-starter. But you may be very surprised how many women are using these muscle-building drugs.

They aren’t too difficult to pick out at the gym because they are bigger and stronger than the average female athlete.

And, unfortunately, the androgenic effects of steroids can start women’s bodies on a path toward male-associated side effects. This happens because steroids work in two basic ways.

The anabolic aspects of steroids help build lean muscle tissue and have low masculinization side effects.

On the other hand, the androgenic side of steroids is deeply rooted in strength and other masculine traits.

These can outpace the femininity based in a women’s natural estrogen levels. In terms of female looks, there are three negative side effects.

Common Female Steroids Side Effects

  • Increased Body-Hair: The androgenic side effects of steroids leads to hair growth less common with women. These areas can include the face, chest and back, among others.
  • Deepening Voice: Steroids can cause a woman’s voice to deepen in the same way that boys change going through puberty. For women, taking steroids creates a similar biological process.
  • Enlargement of the Clitoris: Androgens create masculine traits and the enlargement of the clitoris mirrors that of penis development. This can me a permanent side effect for females.

Keep in mind that these particularly concerning side effects for women may be accompanied by those men find to be negatives. These include:

  • Water Retention/Bloating
  • Acne
  • High Blood Pressure
  • High Cholesterol
  • Increased or Decreased Libido
  • Male Pattern Baldness

A female user may experience Hirsutism, which is characterized by the development of facial and body hair just like in most males.

Hirsutism is known to be very influenced by the quantity used and the duration the cycle. The symptoms may be minor at first when the user begins taking the anabolic androgen steroids.

But once the side effect presents itself, it may end up progressing over time with the hair becoming courser and thicker. A hair removal process may be required to deal with unwanted hair growth.

Topical androgen blockers and other similar products have also been employed by female and male bodybuilders attempting to address this side effect.

The use of anabolic steroids can also disrupt the natural rhythm of a woman’s menstrual cycle. This can cause a temporary interruption in female fertility.

These powerful drugs can disrupt the endocrine balance of estrogen and androgens that occur naturally in the body.

Menstrual cycles may become absent, intermittent or even very infrequent as a result of the use of anabolic androgenic steroids.

In the event that the intake of the anabolic steroids is stopped, the female bodybuilder may experience normalcy in her menstrual cycle.

However, some females may need several months before their menstrual cycle goes back to normal.

Steroids like Masteron are anti-estrogenic, and they may precipitate immediate anti-estrogenic effects on the body.

The interaction with the enzymes, receptor sites and other functions that are associated with Estrogen may cause a reduction in glandular size and also in the breast tissue.

Masteron has been used exclusively in the treatment of female breast cancer.

In the event that one uses the anabolic androgen in excess, significant alteration in breast tissue can result. This effect can be permanent.

Winstrol Side Effects Women

How to Avoid Virilizing Effects

A well-developed female physique can be as powerful and attractive as a man’s.

For women that want the muscle-building benefits of taking steroids, let’s assume that you also want to avoid looking and sounding more like a guy.

The silver lining that bodybuilders cling to is that every person reacts differently to steroids. Some women tolerate them with ease.

Others are plagued with the onset of side effects early and often. Until you try your first cycle, you won’t know where you fall on the scale.

To avoid, or at least minimize masculine side effects, women are advised by fellow physique builders to strategically use medications that have high anabolic effects and the lowest possible androgenic side effects.

There’s no dispute that androgens produce more male characteristics.

Products such as Anadrol and Dianabol are among the most potent strength-building medications available. They are also the most likely to cause heavy side effects in women.

Medications such as Winstrol, Anavar, Primobolan and Clenbuterol have a high-quality anabolic effect on the body.

They tend to have lower androgenic effects and are less likely to have the same level of unwelcome side effects in women.

Females who compete in physique and fitness competitions place a high value on Anavar.

It has the lowest level of male side effects and has a reputation for delivering serioud lean muscle mass. This drug has become so prevalent among women that some refer to it as the “Girl Steroid.”

Can Women Develop Hair Loss from Anabolic Steroids?

Men who use testosterone and other synthetic muscle building drugs often find that they begin to lose their hair and experience premature male pattern baldness.

What is the risk of female bodybuilders experiencing this when they take an anabolic cycle?

The fact is that alopecia areata (hair loss) can occur when women take anabolic steroid cycles, but this is relatively rare.

Women on steroids will experience slightly elevated levels of DHT, which is the sex hormone responsible for triggering hair loss in men.

This could cause some of the same effects on hair follicles in females, but generally women do not have the right genetic disposition to respond to DHT by going bald.

Male pattern baldness or alopecia areata usually only occurs in people who have a high genetic sensitivity to the effects of DHT on hair follicles.

Since women do not usually experience high enough levels of DHT to trigger this reaction, it will not be a concern to the majority of users.

How to Take/Dosage

For women to successfully navigate between building a tremendous physique and avoiding unwanted side effects, they spend a lot of time researching in search of steroid their body might tolerate.

Women produce only 10% of the testosterone that men produce, and their capacity for exogenous androgens is far less as a result.

This circumstance is considered to be somewhat beneficial in bodybuilding circles as women require lower doses when compared to men to make the same change, which can be easier on the wallet.

But this benefit is overshadowed by the fact that women also experience more side effects unique to women and therefore need very careful assessment of their type and dose of anabolic steroids to stay healthy.

Experienced performance users strongly encourage women to stick with female-friendly steroids such as Anavar at the lowest dosages possible. For female bodybuilders, it’s a balance between gains in the gym and maintaining their femininity.

Some women report that they can handle a 10mg dose of Anavar every day without issues. Others find that they can up that daily dosage to 20mg without experiencing problematic side effects.

It is suggested in bodybuilder discussions online that just about any female can enjoy muscle-building benefits at 15mg or less.

When experimenting with your daily dosage, keep in mind that the more you take, the greater the chance of androgenic side effects.

Another common steroid among women is Primobolan Depot. Considered the second most girl-friendly steroid, it comes in an injectable and oral form.

However, the oral form isn’t as beneficial as the injectable because the liver doesn’t process it well.

Many women are said to handle injections of this steroid up to 100mg weekly. Four- to six-week cycles are generally advised because the female anatomy is not designed to endure these hormones for long periods.

Legal/Safer Steroid Alternatives for Women

cutting-cycle

Steroids are controlled substances in most countries. That means your need a doctor’s prescription to legally purchase or possess them in the US and other countries.

Fortunately, there are many natural “alternatives to steroids” on the market that are safer to use and completely legal to buy online from stores like iRoids or over the counter.

Many of these deliver a moderate degree of the benefits associated with steroids but without the harmful or unwanted male side effects.

These completely legal and easy-to-purchase supplements have been embraced by many female workout warriors. They are promoted to allow women to build tremendous lean muscle while lowering body fat.

Most importantly, there are no virilization side effects. In other words, you can create a strong female body and keep looking like a woman.

Clenbutrol: This supplement is said to deliver benefits on three fronts. It is used as a weight-control product, which helps create a lean, detailed physique. It also cycled to help put on solid muscle mass. Perhaps the best aspect of all is that it is known to help shed water rather than retain it.

Anvarol: This legal supplement also targets the development of lean muscle mass. It’s distributed by a company called CrazyBulk and has been likened to a natural form of Anavar.

In fact, some bodybuilders colloquially refer to it as the “best legal steroid for women,” even though this a misnomer. It isn’t a steroid, it is a natural dietary supplement that seeks to replicate some of the effects of real Anavar in a safer and more sustainable way.

This product has a reputation for increasing nitrogen retention, protein synthesis, athletic performance, and stamina. It even claims to lower workout recuperation times, allowing women to get more out of their workouts.

Importantly, it is designed to support your fitness and physique goals without the risk of virilization.

Winsol: This supplement boasts impressive muscle and athletic gains in the fitness world. It blends safe ingredients that include wild yam root with amino acids such as acetyl L carnitine into an athletic enhancer.

It has been primarily used by men and women whose goals are creating a lean physique. It is cycled to help increase strength while acting as a fat-burner.

Again, it is not a steroid, and the effect will not be as dramatic as real Stanazolol. But when you are a woman, that can be a good thing because it means you can sidestep the dramatic virilization effects associated with this steroid.

Reviews & Testimonials from Female Bodybuilders

First-hand information helps us all make decisions about our lives and bodies.

Fortunately, we live in the information age and there are numerous online reviews about steroids and steroid alternatives.

Prescription drugs such as Anavar are widely believed to be tried and true. As far back as the 1960s, bodybuilders have used it as a foundation for competition cycles. Users all point to its ability to create a lean physique with low side effects.

Women who are passionate about bodybuilding and fitness have embraced Anavar even more than men.

While males tend to blend strength-enhancing steroids with tissue-builders, women steroid cycles will often focus on Anavar alone. Female strength athletes give Var high marks all around, and will often say it delivers the highest muscle gains with fewest side effects.

Likewise, Primobolan Depot is known to deliver tremendous muscular benefits for women. It isn’t as popular as Anavar due to it being an injectable medication.

The hardcore woman’s bodybuilding crowd tends to like it because of its slow release — a single shot lasts about two weeks. Most moderate fitness enthusiasts shy away from the needles.

While straight-up steroid users say they struggle to balance muscle gains against unwelcome side effects, supplement users did not. In fact, they cheered about significant benefits without the worry.

Some Winsol users saw a marked reduction in body fat and increase in muscle tone.

One woman who posted a review said her goal was to simply reduce fat and look leaner. She raved about how her upper body quickly evolved.

Another woman went from a flabby belly to defined abs in just eight weeks of Winsol and exercise.

Clenbutrol users pointed out that they made long lasting gains with this supplement. They noted that steroid gains often disappeared after cycling off. However, the supplement’s benefits are reported to have lasted beyond its cycle period.

Some women who tried Anvarol had similar positive results. One woman said she experienced a change in her body in just two weeks.

She admitted that her workouts increased because of the added energy. But in the end, a better body was her goal, and according to her, she got one.

Where to Buy Steroids for Women

In countries where steroids are controlled substances, you need a prescription to purchase them. Some countries allow for over-the-counter sales.

It’s important that you follow the regulations where you live surrounding buying, selling and possessing anabolic-androgenic steroids.

Effective alternatives to steroids such as Anvarol, Winsol and Clenbutrol do not require a prescription. These and other powerful supplements can be purchased online at web sites such as CrazyBulk.

A google search will also lead you to information and advertisements that link to purchasing points.

Women may be interested in taking anabolic steroid drugs to improve muscle tone and vascularity, and some women are interested in gaining 30 to 40 lb of muscle mass.

More often though, female bodybuilders take steroids to eliminate body fat, gain strength, add between 10 – 20 lb of lean muscle mass and enhance physical performance.

Steroids will not have the same effects on females as they do on males — this is due to natural differences in hormone balance and testosterone activity.

So that means even if you take a high dose of a steroid like Dianabol, Trenbolone or Deca Durabolin, you may not end up with the extreme gains in muscle mass that men yield on these drugs.

But these steroids can cause a loss of feminine physical attributes, known as virilization.

This is generally apparent with steroids that have a high androgenicity score. Many fear that women who use them would be overwhelmed with testosterone.

Because Anavar and Winstrol exhibit lower androgen testosterone activity, these are thought to be better options for female athletes. Anavar has earned the name of the “girl” steroid for a reason.

But even Anavar can run the risk of causing the development of masculine traits.

For a moderate lift in results at the gym without the risk of virilization, a natural athletic enhancer that is inspired by the effects of Anavar may be your best option.

Steroids For Women’s Weight Loss

Many worry that the use of steroids for women for weight loss will result in the deepening of their voice, excessive body hair growth, and a disrupted menstrual cycle.

This can take away from a woman’s female features, and can sabotage the appearance and physique that a woman worked so hard to achieve.

Women use steroids for some of the same reasons that men do. Women use steroids to cut fat and build muscle, but many steroids are off-limits to females due to overly harsh side effects.

Female steroid-use is generally associated with professional female bodybuilders, but many are surprised by the number of amateur female fitness enthusiasts who carefully supplement their workout routines with anabolic steroids.

The use of human growth hormone for women is also popular. Although, this one is not a steroid per say, it has grown in popularity in the last few years as well.

The most popular steroids for female bodybuilding are Anavar, Primobolan and Winstrol.

The most popular restricted non-steroid weight loss agents for women are HGH, Clenbuterol and Ephedrine.

winsol-buy-button

Benefits of Steroids For Women

Getting a real idea of the benefits and disadvantages of steroids for women, starts with accepting the idea that “girl steroids” like Anavar are used by women.

Many male bodybuilders will be somewhat honest about what they take. Women, however, will not often reveal what steroids they are taking because cultural pressure leads to a fear of being shamed.

Since certain mild steroids are generally recognized as “girl steroids,” it is fair to accept that they are more widespread than people think.

A woman can choose to look however she wants. If she wants to grow muscle by using steroids, it is her prerogative. The media is not the authority on what beauty is.

But it is important to underscore once again that steroids are still very dangerous to take without the supervision of a Doctor. They are illegal for performance and fitness for a reason.

It is a woman’s prerogative to use steroids, but it is not her right according to the laws in the US and other countries.

Women who take steroids in combination with a great diet and solid exercise routine expect increased energy, decreased recovery time, strength gains, and decreases in estrogenic fat.

Take Mimi D’Attomo, the famous female bodybuilder, or Marion Jones, who tested positive in the summer Olympics.

Certainly, steroids for women are regarded to have major benefits — whether on a bulking or cutting cycle.

But they need to be balanced with the dangers of female-specific side effects and legal risk in order to decide whether they are appropriate for use or not.

We recommend natural alternatives to steroids. For every popular PED or steroid for women, there is a legal supplement that promises to provide some the benefit without the risk.

Crazy Bulk Cutting Stack

References

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  2. Varriale P et al Acute myocardial infarction associated with anabolic steroids in a young HIV-infected patient. Pharmacotherapy. 1999 Jul;19(7):881-4. Review.
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  4. Harmer PA. Anabolic-androgenic steroid use among young male and female athletes: is the game to blame? Br J Sports Med. 2010 Jan;44(1):26-31. doi: 10.1136/bjsm.2009.068924. Epub 2009 Nov 16. Review.
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  7. Povzun SA. [Artificial illness as a result of non-medical use of anabolic androgenic steroids: A case report and a review of literature]. Arkh Patol. 2016 Jul-Aug;78(4):48-53. Review. Russian.
  8. Birkenhäger JC. [Estrogens, anabolic steroids and postmenopausal osteoporosis: what are the facts?]. Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd. 1991 Jun 1;135(22):973-5. Review. Dutch. No abstract available.
  9. Habscheid W et al [Severe cholestasis with kidney failure from anabolic steroids in a body builder]. Dtsch Med Wochenschr. 1999 Sep 10;124(36):1029-32. Review. German.
  10. Celotti F et al Anabolic steroids: a review of their effects on the muscles, of their possible mechanisms of action and of their use in athletics. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol. 1992 Oct;43(5):469-77. Review.
  11. de Souza GL et al Anabolic steroids and male infertility: a comprehensive review. BJU Int. 2011 Dec;108(11):1860-5. doi: 10.1111/j.1464-410X.2011.10131.x. Epub 2011 Jun 17. Review.

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