Abstract
Anabolic androgenic steroids are used by women to increase their muscle mass and because of their performance-enhancing effects. Despite permanent/high risk of side effects, knowledge is inadequate. Our aim has been to deepen understanding about women's use of anabolic androgenic steroids. This phenomenological study is based on the reflective lifeworld research (RLR) approach. Lifeworld interviews were conducted with 12 women, aged 21–56 years, about their experiences of using anabolic steroids. The results show that women experience a sense of pride when they successfully achieve their goals. This is the driving force, triggering tension between suffering and success. Our research adds important knowledge from a reflective lifeworld perspective and shows that women's use of anabolic androgenic steroids is a complex phenomenon. Understanding and knowledge are important in order to be able to meet and support women in their fears and difficulties.
Highlights
Even though the use of anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) is considered to be a health problem, little is known about women using AAS, despite the expectedly high risk of side effects, even permanent ones
This study has practiced the reflective lifeworld research (RLR) approach described by Dahlberg et al (2008) and are based on phenomenological epistemology developed by the philosopher Husserl (1970/1936)
Living with AAS can be hard in many ways and difficult to endure
Summary
Even though the use of anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) is considered to be a health problem, little is known about women using AAS, despite the expectedly high risk of side effects, even permanent ones. AAS are categorized as illegal substances in Sweden, but they are effective and can greatly increase strength, muscle, and fat-free mass when combined with strength training (Bhasin et al, 1996; Rogerson et al, 2007). They have shown a performance-enhancing effect in women (Hirschberg et al, 2020). Sports performance appears to be the main reason for using AAS (Kanayama et al, 2007; Borjesson et al, 2016), especially in bodybuilding and weightlifting (Gruber and Pope, 2000; Phillips et al, 2010). Research show that women seek healthcare earlier than men for the negative effects they experience (Garevik et al, 2011; Borjesson et al, 2016)
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