Dangers of using steroids and risks you should know before using them
By Cynthia Lodite, December 9, 2025When people think of gym goers using steroids, the picture that comes to mind is often of a man pumping iron or modern-day shirtless masculinity influencers.
While steroids are often glamourised for their ability to rapidly build muscle and enhance performance, the hidden dangers they pose can have serious, long-term consequences.
This spans from liver damage and heart disease to hormonal imbalances and mental health issues; the risks of steroid misuse far outweigh the short-term gains.
Reasons more women are using them
The reasons are complex, but three stand out, which is unpacked in a research by Samuel Cornell, who is a PhD Candidate in Public Health & Community Medicine, School of Population Health, UNSW Sydney and Timothy Piatkowski, who is a Lecturer in Psychology, Griffith University, at the University of Queensland.
First, the rise of strength sports. Women’s participation in powerlifting, weightlifting and bodybuilding has grown rapidly.
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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.
On the other hand, the influence of social media. Platforms such as Instagram, TikTok and YouTube are filled with “fitfluencers” showcasing dramatic transformations. Many of these women are seeking the “perfect body.”
Some openly promote steroid cycles and other chemical shortcuts. Women who follow these influencers – often for training or nutrition advice – can end up in online spaces where performance-enhancing drugs are normal.
Third, many women are being encouraged or “brought into” performance-enhancing drugs use by others.
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.
Of course, taking any performance- or image-enhancing drug is not without risks.
The dangers are real
While steroids carry risks for everyone, the two researchers reveal that women may face unique and 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 and severe mood changes, including anxiety and irritability, among other symptoms.
And beyond these risks, emerging Australian research shows 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 biggest long-term risks are the ones people rarely talk about: 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.
There is also the issue of stigma. Women report being judged more harshly than men when seeking medical help and some avoid health services entirely.
That leaves them more vulnerable to complications.