When the topic of steroid use arises, the typical image that comes to mind is often of a male bodybuilder or a modern-day fitness influencer. However, this stereotype is rapidly changing as women increasingly become a significant demographic within steroid-using communities. This shift necessitates a reevaluation of harm minimization strategies, which have traditionally focused on men.
Research indicates that women are becoming more prevalent among steroid users, although comprehensive long-term data remains scarce. A 2024 systematic review of international studies revealed that approximately 4% of adult women have used anabolic steroids at least once, a notable increase from 1.6% in 2014. Among female bodybuilders, nearly 17%—or about one in six—report steroid use, with similar trends observed in women involved in strength sports or recreational lifting.
Changing Dynamics and Rising Concerns
This emerging evidence suggests a shift in the gender profile of steroid use, even if precise historical rates are unavailable to quantify the increase. In Australia, while national statistics are lacking, the weight of steroids seized by authorities surged by 1,372% between 2011-12 and 2020-21, rising from 33.7 kilograms to 496.8 kilograms. This trend likely mirrors global patterns, driven by the expanding bodybuilding and fitness communities, including among women in amateur strength sports.
The boom in women’s strength training and weightlifting since 2021 has generally been beneficial for physical and mental health. However, the concurrent rise in steroid use poses potential risks if not addressed through effective harm reduction strategies, such as education and health service engagement.
Factors Driving Increased Steroid Use Among Women
The Rise of Strength Sports
Women’s participation in powerlifting, weightlifting, and bodybuilding has grown rapidly in Australia since the early 2020s. These sports provide new opportunities for women to feel strong and confident but also expose them to online communities where performance-enhancing drugs are normalized.
Social Media Influence
Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube are filled with “fitfluencers” showcasing dramatic physical transformations. Many of these influencers openly promote steroid cycles and other chemical shortcuts. Women seeking training or nutrition advice may find themselves in online spaces where performance-enhancing drugs are commonplace.
Encouragement from Peers
Qualitative research from Australia and Scandinavia reveals that women often begin using steroids through male friends, partners, or coaches who present these drugs as essential for progress or competition.
Understanding the Risks
While steroids carry risks for all users, women may face unique and potentially irreversible side effects. These include:
- Facial and body hair growth
- Deepening of the voice
- Menstrual changes or infertility
- Breast tissue reduction
- Acne and hair loss
- Clitoral enlargement
- Severe mood changes, including anxiety and irritability
Beyond these risks, emerging Australian research highlights another danger: many underground steroid products contain toxic contaminants such as lead, arsenic, and cadmium—substances linked to cancer, organ damage, and cardiovascular disease. The most significant long-term risks include heart disease, stroke, liver damage, and mental health problems.
Interviews with women who use steroids show many are less informed than men about these dangers, often because the research has historically focused on male use.
Stigma also plays a role. Women report facing harsher judgment than men when seeking medical help, leading some to avoid healthcare services altogether, increasing their vulnerability to complications.
Strategies for Addressing the Trend
Policing steroid use in isolation is ineffective, as is the outdated message that women should simply “just say no.” Evidence suggests three promising approaches:
Health Promotion Education
Most steroid information online is written for men, by men. Health agencies need to develop clear, accessible resources specifically for women, explaining risks honestly and without shame.
Leveraging Social Media
Since social media is where many women learn about these drugs, it should also be where they find accurate information. This may involve partnering with credible fitness influencers, especially women, who can explain risks, promote safer training practices, and counter misinformation.
Reducing Healthcare Stigma
Women who use steroids may avoid doctors due to fear of judgment. Training clinicians to respond without moralizing—similar to approaches for other drug-related issues—would make it easier for women to seek support early.
Sonya Weith, a peer educator at Queensland Injectors Voice for Advocacy and Action, provided an expert review of this article.
/Courtesy of The Conversation. This material from the originating organization/author(s) might be of the point-in-time nature, and edited for clarity, style, and length. Mirage.News does not take institutional positions or sides, and all views, positions, and conclusions expressed herein are solely those of the author(s).
