Greekgoddess

Okay, I have been reading the steroids threads and I have a question for any of you into the science of it.

On another thread we were discussing if dieting was gender specific, ie if different approaches affected men and women in different ways. It got me to wondering if the effects of steroids are gender specific as well. I will try to explain my question without getting confused myself.....here goes.....

Ignoring the side effects of virilisation of women or shut down of men (spelling? not a word I usually use lol) which is not what I am referring to.........do steroids affect men in a gender specific way from the way they affect women?

For instance, if a woman took a steroid that is usually taken by men (excuse my ignorance of the names) would she react in the same way as a man or would she react in a female pattern to it? Would her genetic pre disposition to having different body fat patterns and different hormones make any difference to the effects of taking it?

And if , according to the scientific notes, Anavar was specifically designed for treating women......does that suggest that there is a difference and women would react to it better or differently than a man?

That is as simple as I can explain it, if anyone can do better and explain what I am asking, thanks a million!

Uriel

yeah apart from the anabolic part we all like (keeping you in a state of muscle growth)

There's the androgenic side, steroids cause secondry male chareteristics which don't bother us as we are male but women don't need beard growth, squaring of the jaw, developeent of the larynx etc

Anavar is just weak as p1ss, women get on better with week gear as it it has less pronounced androgenis effects but since women have very little natty test - they react well to another tiny bit

The trick for females is to pick gear and doses to get the best muscle growth they can with the least of the androgenic effects

I don't think I'm answering your question as I don't get what you mean.....how can we ignore the meat and potatoes of gear

Greekgoddess

Thanks for your reply Uriel......the word Androgenic was the word I was trying to think of.......bloody low carbs affect my brain......

So anabolic ( as in a state of muscle growth )applies to both male and female equally?That is more what I was thinking of than the sides like the deeper voice and hair growth. I guess what I meant is do they put both males and females into the same state or will it be affected by their gender?

LittleChris

Thinking of AAS then GG?

Uriel

Women wouldn't be able to take as high a dose because of the unavoidable androgenic bit but we are the same species (hard to believe though it is) - we start the same in the womb and it is actually a flood of hormoes that changes us so yes - dose for dose all things being equal of cousre a woman would grow muscle as fast as a man.

Most don't because most keep gear very low but there are female bb'ers that dwarf half the lads on here

Greekgoddess

Thanks for your reply Uriel......the word Androgenic was the word I was trying to think of.......bloody low carbs affect my brain......

So anabolic ( as in a state of muscle growth )applies to both male and female equally?That is more what I was thinking of than the sides like the deeper voice and hair growth. I guess what I meant is do they put both males and females into the same state or will it be affected by their gender?

Greekgoddess

Sorry Uriel our postings crossed and you answered me before I replied.

Little Chris..what kind of question is that to ask a natty and a lady ? Lol!

Old but not out

All effects of steroids apply to men and and women (except clitoral enlargement and testicular atrophy/HPTA suppression). It is just that you do not notice the effects in men as they already underwent these in puberty.

tuna_man

For a woman u should be VERY careful with any steroid whatsoever. If u reeeeaaaally must dabble, make sure u do as much research as possible, ask others till their heads hurt, and then only look into least androgenic gears at lowest doses possible.

Introducin male hormones into a female body in a haphazard way is just askin for trouble, unless ur are a pro etc it might be justifiable.

Look at some pro females, they look like blokes in drag, u can get really hairy+face hair, not to mention a wonderful singing voice (NOT!), and possible clitoral hypertrophy. Is it really worth it? some would say yes, either way just be really careful and ask what u r willing to sacrifice

stow

The receding hairline is also something thats there to stay once gained.
S

Greekgoddess

I was just curious about the science of it.....particularly since the HRT replacement I now take Livial (Tibolone ) raises natural test levels in a woman in menopause to around three times the normal level of a 20 year old woman,and estrogen and progesterone to normal levels. They raise the test to stop menopause symptoms like hot flushes and mood swings and to raise sex drive. It is prescribed for me and carefully monitered.


It set me thinking about how steroids in general affecting men or women the same or differently. Thanks for all the answers guys.

Uriel

Normal test for men and women is around (changes slighly depending on the source of info) Male: 300 -1000 ng/dL; Female: 20 - 80 ng/dL .(nanograms per decilitre)

I wonder what yours is elevated to.

IMO low test with advancing age should not be tolerated. Low test is one of the biggest things that brings debilitating mental and physical changes.

It's a pity men can't get replacement therapy as easily as women as it's important to both sexes

Greekgoddess

Thanks for your reply Uriel. I had five months of hellish symptoms before I found they prescribed it here on the national health system in Greece. The first doctor I went to was not allowed to prescribe meds that affect hormones, and I had waited four hours to see her.
She asked if I felt angry for small reasons as part of my symptoms,so I said quite honestly that I felt like ripping her head off.That worked, I got referred to the gynaecologist that same morning, who could prescribe it. I know the reading then was down to 10 as I was told at the time.

I will actually know the reading of the amount of test when I next go for my assessment, which will be in the New Year, probably around March time. If you are interested I can tell you the amounts.They are aware of the bodybuilding I do, as we discussed it.At least the doctors here are willing to discuss things with you.

I felt better immediately I started taking them. The horrific nights sweats stopped, the weight gain, and the uncontrollable mood swings. I felt great again. The side effect of the sky high libido is a nice side effect. I am prescribed 2.5 mg every day, if I have no symptoms I can cut the dose to one every two days, until they appear again,when I put the dose back up.Above 2.5mg a day I get side effects, in particular a rash that appears behind my ears which itches if I get too hot. It disappears if the dose is cut down.

I agree with what you said about hormone replacement therapy, it should be as easily available to men as it is to women. I believe it is easily available for men in Greece where I live, but I don't know about the UK.

I have just learned that the drug testing fed have banned Tibolone this last summer for competitors who are tested. I don't know how they stand on it being prescribed....maybe I am not a natty and I owe Little Chris an apology............................

Cheese

Prescribed or not i would imagine its banned as some cheats/rule benders would have Dr's on the pay roll and within no time all of the top Natty's would be on prescription meds.

Uriel

if it fell more or less within normal testing range - it could not be conested though (which is why your levels would be good to know) - just leave it out a few days before a show