‘Can taking anabolic steroids really give a woman a penis?’

QUESTION: Hi Dr Zac, Have you seen the newest gossip that an Australian feminine health influencer grew a penis from abusing steroids? It’s wild! Surely that’s not potential?

What are anabolic steroids? Are they the identical steroids my son makes use of for his bronchial asthma? I’m positive my son’s not going to develop one other penis – however are there different negative effects? – Stella, 43, Sydney

ANSWER: Let’s simply tone down the alarm bells Stella. You nailed it on the top in your first sentence by saying that is all primarily based on gossip. This hearsay claims that the lady’s clitoris has grown into an appendage that resembles a penis.

From my years of examine and observe I’ve learnt to tread evenly. I’ve seen a number of issues as a scientist, a nurse, humanitarian employee and now a physician. And the extra I examine and study I realise that we’re all people and wish thorough care and a focus earlier than needles, capsules and motion.

This could also be one of the vital excessive anabolic steroid negative effects I’ve ever heard of, and I extremely doubt it occurred. People begin gossip for a lot of causes, particularly these within the influencer world.

This does elevate a captivating perception into the misconceptions round steroids, and the way little individuals learn about them.

I do assume the elevated misuse of steroids ties in with the rise of disordered male physique picture – most particularly, muscle dysmorphia. Young males have gotten extra fascinated by the health influencers they comply with. In their quest to grow to be the muscly Michelin males on their screens, they’re placing themselves at critical threat.

Anabolic steroids usually are not the identical because the steroids in your son’s bronchial asthma remedy. Instead, they’re a prescription solely medication which can be generally purchased illegally to extend muscle mass and enhance athleticism. These are harmful if misused, and will be addictive.

They work by copying the consequences of the male hormone testosterone.

Consider pure testosterone as the true deal, and anabolic steroids because the knock off.

There are some knock offs you should purchase that are nearly the identical as the unique. And then there are low cost knock offs so dangerous they trigger issues the second you begin taking them.

Anabolic steroids can improve the person’s confidence and energy, which type addictive behaviours that trigger extended use.

To put it merely, these medicine trigger irreversible injury. They can result in early coronary heart assaults, strokes, liver tumours, kidney failure and psychiatric issues. Often individuals really feel depressed following a cessation of use.

The potential negative effects of anabolic steroids for girls embrace a deeper voice, adjustments in face form, facial hair progress, irregular interval, shrinking breasts and in some circumstances infertility. The clitoris can develop bigger than regular, however not massive sufficient that it resembles a penis.

For males, then again, it causes enlarged breasts, shrunk testicles, male-pattern baldness and probably aggression.

These steroids aren’t all the time dangerous. There is a motive they’re prescribed by docs, as they will improve bone density, pink blood cell manufacturing and keep muscle mass when you’ve gotten a situation like liver illness or most cancers.

Stella, there isn’t a motive to concern. Women on Instagram aren’t rising penises, and your son gained’t go bald from his bronchial asthma remedy. If you actually are anxious, it’s all the time finest to talk to your physician. So everytime you’re studying gossip columns and news ensure you take it with a grain of salt and get sound recommendation earlier than you chop free.

Got a query: askdrzac@conciergedoctors.com.au

Dr Zac Turner has a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery from the University of Sydney. He is each a medical practitioner and a co-owner of telehealth service, Concierge Doctors. He was additionally a registered nurse and can also be a certified and skilled biomedical scientist together with being a PhD Candidate in Biomedical Engineering.

Originally printed as ‘Can taking anabolic steroids really give a woman a penis?’