What effects do anabolic steroids have on female sexual characteristics?


 
      Steroids cause sex-specific side effects in women.  High dose
 anabolics reduce breast size in women(1), cause the growth
 of facial and chest hair,(1,2) and may lead to menstrual
 irregularities.(2)  Continued use leads to irreversible
 deepening of the voice(1,2) and enlargement of the
 clitoris, the female sex organ similar to the male penis.(1-3)  An
 increase in female sex drive occurs in some, but not all, anabolic
 steroid abusers.(4)  Male pattern baldness may also occur in
 female steroid abusers(1) although it is unclear whether hair
 growth resumes in women when steroids are stopped.(2,3)  While
 taking steroids, female athletes may accept these physical changes
 because of changes in mental attitude brought about by steroid
 use.(5)  When the steroids are stopped, "body changes may become
 intolerable."(5)
 
 REFERENCES

 1.   Yesalis CE, Wright JE, Bahrke MS. Epidemiological and policy
      issues in the measurement of the long term health effects of
      anabolic-androgenic steroids. Sports Medicine 1989
      Sep;8(3):129-38.
 
 2.   Johnson MD. Steroids. Adolescent Med 1991 Feb;2(1):79-93.
 
 3.   Wilson JD. Androgen abuse by athletes. Endocrine Reviews
      1988;9(2):181-99.
 
 4.   Choi PYL, Parrott AC, Cowan D. Adverse behavioural effects of
      anabolic steroids in athletes: a brief review. Clin Sports Med
      1989;1:183-7.
 
 5.   Hickson RC, Ball KL, Falduto MT. Adverse effects of anabolic
      steroids. Med Toxicol Adv Drug Experience 1989 Jul-
      Aug;4(4):254-71.
 
 
 by Trent Tschirgi, R. Ph.
 (c) 1992 University of Maryland Office of Substance Abuse Studies.
 All Rights Reserved.


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