{"id":6959,"date":"2025-12-08T10:35:55","date_gmt":"2025-12-08T03:35:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/?p=6959"},"modified":"2025-12-08T10:35:57","modified_gmt":"2025-12-08T03:35:57","slug":"more-women-are-using-steroids-and-many-dont-know-the-risks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/more-women-are-using-steroids-and-many-dont-know-the-risks\/","title":{"rendered":"More women are using steroids \u2013 and many don\u2019t know the\u00a0risks"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

When people think of gym goers using steroids, the picture that comes to mind is often of a man pumping iron, like Arnold Schwarzenegger, or modern day shirtless masculinity influencers like \u201cthe Liver King\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the image is changing. Women now represent a growing share of people who use steroids. And so harm minimisation efforts, currently targeted at men, will need to change too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s not just men<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Research shows women are increasingly represented among steroid-using communities, even though precise long-term trend data are limited.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A 2024 systematic review of international studies found about 4% of adult women had used anabolic steroids at least once, up from 1.6% in 2014.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among women bodybuilders, nearly 17% \u2013 around one in six \u2013 report using steroids, and rates among women in strength sports or recreational lifting communities are also markedly higher than in the general woman population.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This emerging evidence suggests the gender profile of steroid use is shifting, even if precise historical rates are not available to confirm the exact scale of the increase.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While we don\u2019t have robust national statistics for Australia, data show the weight of steroids seized nationally increased 1,372% between 2011-12 and 2020-21 (from 33.7 kilograms to 496.8kg).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This trend almost certainly mirrors what\u2019s happening overseas: continued, escalating growth of the bodybuilding and fitness communities, including among women in amateur strength sports.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The boom in women\u2019s strength training and weightlifting since 2021 will benefit the physical and mental health of most who partake in it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the simultaneous increase in steroid use may be cause for concern without effective harm reduction via education, health promotion and health services engagement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3 reasons more women are using them<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The reasons are complex but three stand out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

First, the rise of strength sports. Women\u2019s participation in powerlifting, weightlifting and bodybuilding has grown rapidly in Australia since the early 2020s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These sports have opened up new spaces for women to feel strong, confident and physically capable. But they also expose women to online communities where performance-enhancing drugs are normalised.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Second, the influence of social media. Platforms such as Instagram, TikTok and YouTube are filled with \u201cfitfluencers\u201d showcasing dramatic transformations. Many of these women are seeking the \u201cperfect body\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some openly promote steroid cycles and other chemical shortcuts. Women who follow these influencers \u2013 often for training or nutrition advice \u2013 can end up in online spaces where performance-enhancing drugs are normal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Third, many women are being encouraged or \u201cbrought into\u201d performance-enhancing drugs use by others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Qualitative research from Australia and Scandinavia shows women often start using steroids through male friends, partners or coaches, who may position these drugs as necessary for progress or competition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Of course, taking any performance- or image-enhancing drug is not without risks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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(Photo by Sabel Blanco)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The dangers are real<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While steroids carry risks for everyone, women may face unique and irreversible side effects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n