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Anabolic steroid use and perceived effects in ten weight-trained women athletes
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1985
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Physical ActivityPerceived EffectsWomen AthletesGynecologyBody CompositionKinesiologySport NutritionExerciseDoping In SportMuscle SizeApplied PhysiologySport PhysiologySport ScienceSteroid MetabolismHealth SciencesMenopause Hormone TherapyWeight-trained Women AthletesPhysical FitnessAnabolic Steroid UseEndocrinologyPhysical TherapySubstance AbuseHigh-performance SportAnabolic SteroidsExercise PhysiologyWomen's Exercise CultureAthletic TrainingMedicineWomen's Health
The study interviewed ten female athletes who regularly used anabolic steroids to learn about their usage patterns and perceived effects. Participants reported cyclical, multi‑drug use that increased muscle size and strength but also caused side effects such as voice deepening, facial hair, aggressiveness, clitoral enlargement, and menstrual irregularities, which they were willing to tolerate despite potential unacceptability to others. Published in JAMA 1985;253:2871‑2873.
Ten women athletes who consistently used anabolic steroids were interviewed about their patterns of drug use and the perceived effects. Anabolic steroids were used in a cyclical manner, often with several drugs taken simultaneously. All participants believed that muscle size and strength were increased in association with anabolic steroid use. Most also noted a deepening of the voice, increased facial hair, increased aggressiveness, clitoral enlargement, and menstrual irregularities. The participants were willing to tolerate these side effects but thought that such changes might be unacceptable to many women. (<i>JAMA</i>1985;253:2871-2873)