Female Drug Use

Female Drug Use on the Rise?

Read on to learn what performance-enhancing drugs more and more female physique competitors are using and the natural alternatives they can replace them with!

Over the past several years, there’s been a significant increase in the number of female physique competitors in Canada and the U.S., particularly in the bikini category. Along with this rise in female competitors, many industry insiders have also noticed an increase in performance-enhancing drug (PED) use among women. The evolution of the bikini category raises some concerns for me. I thought the whole point of this category was to give women a platform to compete on that’s realistic and naturally attainable. From what I see, the bikini category is snowballing into the most competitive physique category, and athletes will do anything to get that edge to win, even if that means using substances that can jeopardize health in both the short and long term. I have nothing against anyone who uses PEDs, but I definitely don’t endorse their use. There are many health complications associated with PED use that can be avoided by using natural alternatives. In this article, I’m going to cover many of the popular drugs that female competitors are using nowadays and the natural supplement alternatives they can replace them with.

Oxandrolone (Trade names: Anavar, Oxandrin)
Oxandrolone is an anabolic steroid that usually goes by the more common trade name Anavar. Women use this drug to help build and maintain muscle, especially while dieting down for a competition. It’s a popular steroid for women to use because it’s not that potent of an anabolic agent and it doesn’t aromatize into estrogen or convert to DHT. That being said, oxandrolone can cause virilization (development of male sex characteristics) in women, even at low doses. Just like other 17-alkylated oral steroids, oxandrolone is very toxic to the liver.

Natural Oxandrolone Alternatives: Fenugreek Extract
Fenugreek is a plant that’s quite popular with men for its testosterone-boosting properties. It’s a great natural alternative to anabolic steroids. Women can actually use fenugreek too and get the same test-boosting benefits! In a recent double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, healthy menstruating women were given a daily dose of 600 milligrams of fenugreek extract (standardized to 50 percent furostanolic saponins) over the course of 8 weeks. At the end of the trial, subjects taking fenugreek experienced about a 70 percent increase in free testosterone levels. The subjects taking fenugreek also reported improved feelings of wellness and sexual desire—a nice added bonus!

Anastrozole (Trade name: Arimidex)
Anastrozole is usually referred to by its popular trade name, Arimidex. It’s a popular drug for women to use because it’s an aromatase inhibitor and it blocks the conversion of testosterone to estrogen and can reduce overall estrogen levels. This benefit is particularly useful to women when they’re leaning out for a competition. Estrogen is a fat-storing hormone, so by reducing its levels, you enhance fat burning.

Natural Anastrozole Alternatives: Acacetin & Apigenin
Acacetin is one of the only compounds in the world that has potent anti-aromatase effects and absolutely zero estrogenic properties. Acacetin inhibits the aromatase enzyme and prevents the conversion of testosterone to estrogen, which results in greater total testosterone and lower estrogen. Apigenin is another potent anti-aromatase compound. Research suggests that apigenin has strong aromatase anti-aromatase mRNA expression properties, which means it acts at the gene level. Acacetin is naturally occurring in the damiana plant and apigenin in the chamomile plant.

Tamoxifen Citrate (Trade name: Nolvadex)
Tamoxifen is a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM). It occupies the binding site of estrogen receptors (without activating them) and renders them useless so they can’t be activated by estradiol. This tricks the body into thinking that estrogen levels are low, which then triggers the body to produce more luteinizing hormone (LH) and more testosterone. In a nutshell, tamoxifen blocks estrogen and boosts test.

Natural Tamoxifen Alternatives: Diindolylmethane (DIM)
Diindolylmethane (DIM) is a great natural alternative to tamoxifen. Although it doesn’t quite work in the exact same way, it does provide incredible estrogen-modulating benefits. DIM is formed during the breakdown of plants and the digestion of indole-3-carbinol, which is a component of the Brassica genus of plants (e.g., broccoli). DIM is used for a variety of reasons, but its main mechanism of action is on the metabolism of the estrogen hormone. Estrogen is broken down into various metabolites and each of these has different effects in the body. The “good” estrogen metabolites (2-hydroxy, and 2-methoxy estrogens) work to promote fat loss, boost the fight against certain types of hormonal-related cancers (breast, uterus, and prostate), provide healthy energy levels, support healthy libido, and increase overall well-being. The “bad” estrogen metabolites (16-hydroxy) are those related to low energy levels, mood swings, premature aging, and low libido. DIM has been shown to increase the levels of the good estrogen metabolites and decrease the levels of the bad ones.

Clenbuterol (Trade name: Spiropent) & Albuterol
Clenbuterol (“clen” for short) and albuterol are beta-receptor agonist drugs and are commonly used to treat asthma. Physique competitors use these drugs to enhance fat loss. Clen and albuterol stimulate beta-2 receptors, which in turn increases metabolic rate and enhances lipolysis. Clen and albuterol interact directly with the beta-receptors with or without sympathetic activity, whereas more natural compounds stimulate the release of noradrenaline, which then binds to the beta receptors to enhance fat loss. Clen and albuterol deliver some pretty bad side effects. Users typically experience the jitters, shaky hands, nausea, cramps, sweats, and elevated blood pressure and heart rate.

Natural Clenbuterol/Albuterol Alternatives: Caffeine, Raspberry Ketone, Olive Leaf Extract
Caffeine inhibits an enzyme called phosphodiesterase, which breaks down cyclic AMP (cAMP), a key secondary messenger involved in norepinephrine and epinephrine production. By inhibiting phosphodiesterase, caffeine increases the activity of cAMP and boosts norepinephrine and epinephrine release. This means more energy and fat oxidation. Raspberry ketone is another ingredient that can affect norepinephrine. In fact, studies show that raspberry ketone can increase norepinephrine-induced lipolysis associated with the translocation of hormone-sensitive lipase from the cytosol to lipid droplets in fat cells. Oleuropein aglycone (OA) is a newer fat-loss ingredient that can cause greater norepinephrine and epinephrine release. OA is a derivative of oleuropein, the most well-known phenolic compound found in olives. A study published in the prestigious Journal of Nutritional Sciences & Vitaminology showed that treatment with OA can induce the secretion of norepinephrine and epinephrine.

T3 (Triiodothyronine)
The thyroid is an endocrine gland and secretes triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) into the bloodstream. These hormones enhance oxygen use and increase metabolic rate. Although both T3 and T4 activate metabolic processes in the body, T3 is the more potent and active form. Supplying your body with synthetic T3 can be very damaging to the body, unless it’s prescribed under the guidance of a medical doctor. Research shows that high thyroid hormone levels are linked to muscle dysfunction, lower glycogen levels, and reduced enzyme activity—not good things for athletes. T3 abuse by physique competitors is also known to cause severe metabolic damage that can result in excessive weight (fat) gains after cycling off.

Natural T3 Alternatives: Iodine (Seaweed / Kelp)
Iodine is an essential component of the thyroid hormones thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). To ensure optimal thyroid hormone production, it’s important that one has appropriate levels of iodine in one’s diet. Iodine is a trace element and is naturally present in some foods and available as a dietary supplement. Kelp and other types of seaweed are excellent natural sources of iodine.

Human Growth Hormone (HGH/GH)
Human growth hormone usually goes by the acronyms HGH or GH. It’s produced by the pituitary gland and regulates the growth of muscles and bones. GH is also involved in regulating body fluid levels and carbohydrate and fat metabolism. Most physique athletes use GH to help enhance fat loss, but the same fat loss can be achieved with a proper diet, exercise, and supplement regimen.

Natural GH Alternatives: GABA & Melatonin
There are only a few good natural growth hormone-boosting ingredients available, and some of these same ingredients also support improved sleep. This is a win-win situation for anyone looking to burn fat, build muscle, and improve recovery. Based on the available research, two of the most effective natural growth hormone stimulators are GABA (gamma-Aminobutyric acid) and melatonin.
GABA is an inhibitory amino acid and has a direct affect on growth hormone secretion. Melatonin is a pineal hormone and a powerful antioxidant that affects GH secretion by activating central neural pathways at the hypothalamus level. L-carnitine L-tartrate (LCLT) is a good supportive GH booster, but GABA and melatonin would be my first and second choice.

Prescription Diuretics (Aldactone, Thiazides, Lasix)
Diuretic drugs are extremely popular with female physique competitors because they can instantly reduce water retention and help display more cuts and muscle tone. These drugs can be very powerful and cause immediate damage to the body, sometimes even fatality. There are three primary types of diuretics that physique athletes use: potassium-sparing diuretics (e.g., aldactone), thiazides (e.g., hydrochlorothiazide), and loop diuretics (e.g., furosemide, aka Lasix). Potassium-sparing diuretics cause an increase in sodium and water excretion, but don’t affect potassium. These diuretics can cause an electrolyte imbalance in the body, which can result in low blood pressure, muscle cramps and cardiac issues. Thiazides are stronger than potassium-sparing diuretics, and they decrease re-absorption of sodium and chloride ions by inhibiting the sodium/chloride co-transporter in the distal convoluted tubule. They also increase potassium loss. Loop diuretics are the most powerful type of diuretic and are short-acting. They cause a loss of water, sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium! Anyone using or considering using loop diuretics should wake up and reconsider. There is absolutely no need or benefit to athletes using these types of diuretics, unless they want to flirt with death.

Natural Diuretic Alternatives: Dandelion & Juniper Berry
In my opinion, the two best natural diuretic ingredients are dandelion and juniper berry. A study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine shows that you need at least 8 grams of crude dandelion taken twice daily in order to increase water loss. In fact, subjects that took eight grams of dandelion (twice daily) increased water loss by up to 19.8 percent in just 24 hours! The German Commission E Monograph recognizes juniper berry as a diuretic medicine and is a worldwide scientific authority on herbals. The German monograph prescribes two grams of juniper two to three times daily for diuretic effects. The important thing to remember with diuretic compounds such as dandelion and juniper is that you’ve got to take the right dosage or they just don’t have any effect.

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