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It is not that easy to find detailed information on the use of anabolic-androgenic performance enhancement drugs, especially when it is for female use. This should be a cause for concern as men aren’t the only ones taking steroids to enhance performance and gain muscle mass. Female athletes and bodybuilders are also taking them to give them the edge they need. And since there is not enough information out there, it is not surprising that some women take more than the recommended dosage.
That said, this article aims to help female athletes get relevant information on steroid cycles that are ideal for their use and with minimal side effects.
What are Anabolic Steroids?
Anabolic steroids are synthetic versions of the male hormone, testosterone, that are designed to assist in muscle growth and for muscle repair. There is a specific use for this drug and that is to help patients who have low hormones that are needed for their growth.
Another use of this medication is for enhancing lean muscle while growing them, reducing the amount of fat in the body, as well as boosting the recovery process. They are available in the market in tablet, injectables, and in capsule form.
Taking this performance enhancement drug can cause physiological changes to the user. For example, men can experience smaller testicles since their natural testosterone production is shut down. They can also be at risk of gynecomastia which is more commonly referred to as man boobs.
Women, on the other hand, are at risk of virility. When this happens, these common side effects are sure to appear:
- Shrunken breasts or breast atrophy
- Facial as well as body hair growth
- Irregular menstruation
- Enlarged or abnormal clitoris growth
- Deeper voice
- Appearance of Adam’s apple
- Hair loss or pattern baldness
What this means is that although women can gain muscle mass and experience improved performance while doing an anabolic steroid cycle, they will also be subjected to these side effects. That is, unless they know which steroid cycle is appropriate for them in order to gain the benefits while still being able to keep their feminine traits.
NOTE: This topic is geared towards women who want to achieve a better physique minus the effects of virility. This is because there are female athletes, like bodybuilders, who are willing to accept the risks because they want to achieve a more toned and sculpted physique.
Ideal Steroid Cycles for Women
If you are keen on the idea of using steroids to help you get rid of the excess fats while having more muscle mass, then the next step is to determine which of the steroids in the market are appropriate for female use.
Take note that there are some PEDs that are way too powerful to be used by women since the side effects can be quite severe. This is why it is best that you avoid steroids like Dianabol and even Trenbolone because the side effects are just not worth experiencing.
The question now is, which steroids are best suited for female users?
Anavar Cycle
Anavar is one of the best anabolic steroids that women can take without worrying about virility issues. This medication was designed to help those who are suffering from catabolic diseases such as in the case of HIV, hepatitis, as well as burn injuries. It is even prescribed to patients who are suffering from bone problems like osteoporosis. Anavar can help reduce the pain caused by deteriorating bone structure by boosting bone formation.
This performance enhancement drug is often referred to as girl steroid in the bodybuilding industry. This doesn’t mean that men don’t use them. In fact, it is one of the popular steroids that are commonly found in male stacking compounds.
How Does Anavar work?
This steroid enhances protein synthesis to assist with generating more muscle mass as well as body weight. It prevents catabolic effects from taking place where in the muscle cells are consumed to create energy hence you will be able to retain the gains you have made during your workout.
Another way that Anavar works is by enhancing your body’s fat burning abilities. This way, you will build more muscles without adding more fats to your physique.
It is important to note, however, that side effects can still occur if you are taking higher doses for this medication such as 10mg per day or by taking it for long periods of time. That said, here is the recommended dosage for this steroid cycle:
Week 1 – 5mg/day
Week 2 – 10mg/day
Week 3 – 10mg/day
Week 4 – 10mg/day
Week 5 – 10mg/day
Let’s consider the effects of Anavar in women. A woman who weighs 52kg prior to cycling and has excess fats and flabs in their body will lose those fats while gaining an additional 2kg of weight. This is a normal outcome for those who will be using Anavar for the first time.
Side Effects
With Anavar being categorized as a c17 alpha alkylated steroid, it means that you are getting the highest form of bioavailability from it upon taking it. With both your kidney and the liver processing the medication prior to its release in the bloodstream, it is not unusual to see a spike in these organs’ levels.
On a good note, the liver toxicity of this medication is relatively milder compared to the more powerful steroids out there like anadrol, superdrol, or even dianabol. Additionally, the liver exhibits a self-healing mechanism which means that it can withstand high amounts of damage before it starts to fail. It also has a fast healing rate once steroid use is done.
Women who take this medication are not really worried about its effects on their liver and kidneys. However, there are some who do take it along with liver supplements to ensure that their enzymes are in the right level. One example of liver support is TUDCA or tauroursodeoxycholic acid which delivers the best protection for this organ.
Another side effect worth taking note of is the increase in blood pressure. This can put you at risk of suffering from arteriosclerosis. But just like it was said before, the effects are milder compared to others. If you want to keep your blood pressure at a normal range, you can supplement your intake with cardiovascular workouts as well as weight training. You can also take 4mg of fish oil per day to counter your high blood pressure too because this supplement can bring your high cholesterol levels to the right number.
It is also worth noting that this steroid will cause your testosterone levels to go down. Yes, women do have the male hormone but only in low doses. When your testosterone number goes down, you might find yourself having less energy, lower libido, and having infertility issues too.
These side effects can last for weeks until your natural hormone levels are back in their normal levels. Though women have only about 5 to 10% of the male hormone, it plays a role in your self-confidence, energy, sexual drive, and motivation just to name a few.
Anadrol Cycle
Anadrol, or oxymetholone, was devised to support osteoporosis, anemia, HIV, as well as other diseases that cause muscle wastage. These days, however, this performance enhancement drug is used for bulking especially when taken in higher dosage like in the case of bodybuilders.
There is a common misconception that taking anadrol can lead to a more pronounced virilization in females because of its androgenic properties. However, women tend to exhibit less masculine traits when using it. In fact, there are studies that show that taking anadrol is far better than anavar in terms of reducing virilization.
Studies show that women who take a higher dose of Anadrol (150mg) for 30 days did not show any symptoms of masculinization. Let’s put this in perspective. Advanced steroid users usually take 50 to 100mg of this medication for 8 weeks.
How Does Anadrol Work?
Since there is less virility occurring when you take Anadrol, you’re probably wondering how this came to be. It is made possible because it doesn’t really bind to your sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) receptors. When your SHBG levels go up, there is a good chance of more masculine traits appearing as you use this medication.
There is a good anecdote about Anadrol which was stated by Bill Roberts, PhD. He said that taking 5mg of Anavar is almost the same as taking 25mg of Anadrol with regards to the risk of masculinization.
Normally, women take between 5 to 10mg of Anadrol without experiencing side effects. But it appears that taking 25mg of the said drug is already considered to be too high. However, studies show that the dosage is still safe for women. Here is an example of the recommended dose for Anadrol.
Week 1 – 12.5mg/day
Week 2 – 12.5mg/day
Week 3 – 25mg/day
Week 4 – 25mg/day
Week 5- 25mg/day
Week 6 – 25mg/day
Compared to Anavar, Anadrol helps you build more muscle mass but the downside is that it may not have that much fat burning capabilities. This is because the former has more effect on your T3 as well as insulin sensitivity.
Side Effects
There are some concerns about this drug, however, particularly with regards to heart enlargement and hypertension. The cardiovascular effects may be linked to the high dosage (50mg-100mg/day) intake which is done to enhance a person’s anabolism.
Taking high dosage of any kind of oral steroid can cause fluctuations in your cholesterol levels because the hepatic lipase has been stimulated. This particular enzyme is not good for your cholesterol.
Additionally, Anadrol does not have any capabilities to aromatize because it is a derivative of DHT. The problem is that it can cause your estrogen levels to go up which means more water is retained in your body especially when your diet consists mostly of food that has high sodium content. The added fluids in your body can cause your heart to work double time hence the elevated blood pressure.
Though this PED does come with perks, it is also one of the most hepatotoxic steroids in the market which triggers a rise in your liver enzymes namely ALT/AST enzymes. These two are stress markers for the liver.
There are some situations wherein female users of Anadrol complained about peliosis hepatis. This condition causes cystic blood-filled cavities to be distributed throughout the liver. Additionally, Dr. Thomas O’Conner noticed liver cirrhosis setting in for those who have used this medication for extended periods of time.
It is important to note that the use of Anadrol can cause your testosterone levels to go down significantly. This is why some female users implement a post-cycle therapy that contains DHEA to alleviate their low energy, improve their mental health, and give them a boost of confidence too.
Winstrol Cycle
Winstrol was developed back in 1962 by Winthrop Labs as a treatment for patients who were weak or were suffering from a debilitating illness as well as in chronic catabolic state. It was quite successful since this medication has helped patients have more appetite, plus it also triggers a higher anabolic rate.
Additionally, Winstrol has also been used for aplastic anemia which occurs when the body no longer creates red blood cells. This is because this drug stimulates the production of red blood cells. It has also been found to be an effective treatment in venous insufficiency wherein it boosts the healing process for the ulcers.
How Does Winstrol Work?
Nowadays, this particular performance enhancement drug is preferred by women who want to lose the excess fats in their body. Let’s face it. Women tend to store more fat compared to their male counterparts and because of it, they have a hard time shedding weight. It’s true that it is a derivative of testosterone but its effects are mild compared to others.
No wonder it is a favorite among female bodybuilders after Anavar as well as Dianabol. In some instances, it is used as an anti-catabolic drug during a cutting stack, especially by men, but the effects are more pronounced in women. Most male bodybuilders use this as part of their cutting stack because they want to build lean muscle while burning excess fats in the process.
You might notice that it has the same effects as that of Anavar but this one is much stronger. Though it is not generally recommended for female users, when taken at the right dosage and cycle, women will benefit more from it, especially when trying to lose excess fats.
It does not aromatize like Anavar, which is one of the reasons why it is often chosen by those who want to have a leaner and more sculpted physique minus the excess fats. If this is your aim, or if you are entering a bodybuilding competition then the following dosage is a good idea. Upping the dosage is discouraged since it will cause masculinization to take place.
Week 1 – 5mg/day
Week 2 – 5mg/day
Week 3 – 5mg/day
Week 4 – 5mg/day
Week 5 – 5mg/day
Week 6 – 5mg/day
Side Effects
Keep in mind that this is a hepatotoxic type of steroid which is usually administered orally. To reduce the stress in your liver and kidneys, you can take TUDCA. This will help fight off any inflammation as well as stress in your organs. Skip drinking any alcoholic beverage during your Winstrol cycle to avoid your liver’s stress markers from going up. If you have any problems with your liver, you should look for other options since taking Winstrol can worsen your condition.
Another side effect that you should keep an eye out is your LDL/HDL cholesterol levels. When taking Winstrol, there is a risk of you experiencing hypertension as well as heart disease. Estrogen does help your blood pressure remain at the right number but since this medication does not have any aromatizing effect, it can cause a significant amount of strain on your heart.
It would be a good idea to follow a PCT after your Winstrol intake to minimize the post cycle crash that some experience. If you are prone to low energy, mood swings, and are sensitive to other side effects, having a post cycle therapy plan is the best way to eliminate this.
Though Winstrol is not recommended to women, if you have taken Anavar before and you want to bring your body’s physique to a whole new level, taking small doses of Winstrol can help.
Primobolan Cycle
This is probably the safest steroid that people can use, but this doesn’t mean that there won’t be any side effects. If you are going to take it in injectable form, there are no effects to worry about. On the other hand, if it is taken orally, then there are mild side effects that can crop up. Taking a high dosage of Primobolan and for long periods of time is not ideal as it can cause liver cirrhosis.
How Does Primobolan Work?
Primobolan is a good choice for women who are interested in muscle development. It is a legal type of steroid that is often used by female athletes who want to enhance their performance. This way, they will be able to train longer in order to achieve their desired body.
This medication is considered to be a methenolone acetate which means that it is often linked to an ester hece it is often taken orally. It can be used off-season so you can continue building muscle mass thanks to its fat-burning capabilities and its ability to enhance your metabolism too.
Side Effects
Like it was mentioned before, taking this drug at a higher dosage in longer cycles is not recommended as it can severely affect your liver function. There are some fluctuations to your cholesterol levels just like in the case of Anavar too. It is also possible for your own body’s testosterone production to be affected too but this will not last long.
Common Questions to Consider
- Can Clenbuterol be used by women?
Clenbuterol is a type of bronchodilator that is often used by women during cutting to give their metabolism as well as fat burning capabilities a boost. Therefore, it is quite safe for women to use since it will not cause any virilization to happen. Take note, however, that it can cause your blood pressure to spike or lead to irregular heartbeat too.
Other side effects to watch out for when taking Clen are anxiety as well as depression because of its effects on the body’s central nervous system. It is also possible for you to experience the jitters since this medication can cause more adrenaline to be produced in your system.
Although Clen does not have any muscle building properties, what it can do is to protect your body from catabolizing your hard earned muscle mass. If you are going to use this medication, you should follow this cycle:
Days 1 to 3 – 20mcg
Days 4 to 6 – 30mcg
Days 7 to 9 – 40mcg
Days 10 to 12 – 50mcg
Days 13 to 15 – 60mcg
Days 16 to 18 – 70mcg
Days 19 to 21 – 80mcg
Days 22 to 24 – 90mcg
Days 25 to 27 – 100mcg
Days 28 to 30 – 110mcg
- What is the best PCT for women?
The use of DHEA, or dehydroepiandrosterone, is often suggested to women who are diagnosed with low testosterone levels. You will need to take 25mg to 50mg of DHEA each day for four weeks to help treat your low testosterone levels. On the other hand, if you are not experiencing any side effects with your choice of steroids, then this is not necessary.
- What is the friendliest stack for women?
Just like with male bodybuilders, women can stack their steroid use to enhance their effects. But this can also mean more side effects will crop up, specifically virilization. If you are wondering which ones are best for stacking then they will be anavar and primobolan.
Taking anadrol along with other steroids is also possible since they will not cause virilization to occur. However, other side effects like liver stress, high blood pressure, as well as shutting down of your testosterone production can occur.
- Which steroids are the best for muscle building for women?
Both Anadrol and Winstrol are among the strongest steroids discussed here for muscle building. However, there are other options too like testosterone and trenbolone but they are not often recommended since they can make you feel and look more masculine.
