The female bodybuilder is a polarizing figure. Just like many politicians, most people either love her, or hate her. There are small pockets of fans who adore the sport of female bodybuilding. This fringe group, often affectionately referred to as “schmoes”, are notorious for the fees they pay for monthly membership on their sites, the gifts and donations they deliver, and the rabid devotion they have to the sport. On the other hand, the vast majority of the population often describes female bodybuilding as disgusting or un-natural. Female bodybuilders are often seen on television in stereotypical, unflattering roles. Eager to earn a paycheck in an acting field of limited demand, female bodybuilders accept the starring acting roles to pay the bills, while at the same time perpetuating negative stereotypes about their own sport.

What makes female bodybuilders so unattractive to the mass majority of the population? Perhaps it is the steroid use. While steroid use in men leads to the male becoming closer and closer to the Greek personification of male perfection, it doesn’t work that way for females. Instead, females often lose any and all traces of femininity and end up resembling men. Let’s take a look at some of the effects of steroids upon women.

Men have a natural abundance level of testosterone in their bodies. Women have a natural abundance of estrogen in their bodies. When steroids are used by a woman, her body’s levels of testosterone will skyrocket, and will create many of the same effects we see in men who peruse steroids. Increased muscle mass, lower body fat, a deepening of the voice, acne, and many other side effects will occur in both genders – but it’s often much more noticeable in the fairer sex. Bloating as a result of water retention will become an everyday part of life. Bodily hair growth will occur. Night and day sweats also occur in females using anabolic steroids. Any trace of femininity remaining from the hair growth will likely be removed by the unwelcome presence of nonstop perspiration. Even less flattering will be the stomach distension seen in males who use steroids. A female bodybuilder with a massive stomach is very unappealing, but the gas and constipation which follows will be even less inviting. If that’s not enough to deter most women, the prospect of male pattern baldness might do the trick. Finally, an enlargement of the clitoris occurs when females use steroids. This is permanent and can be quite disruptive.

Heavy anabolic steroid use should be avoided by most women. Self-administering of AAS by their trainers/boyfriends should also be limited. Many of the side effects of AAS use are completely irreversible and permanent. As is the guilt which accompanies permanently changing a loved on for the negative. If a woman wishes to change her body, it’s entirely her decision. However, that decision should be made with the most possible available information regarding the side effects and long-term health and appearance implications. There is no coming back from the long walk down to the ‘dark side’.

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