Female Athletes on Steroids Risk Osteoporosis

Steroid use amongst athletes has typically been a male problem. However, the increased competitiveness that we are seeing in women's sports in recent years is also leading to an increased use of steroids amongst female athletes. A recent online article took a look at the damage that steroids can do to the female body which is unique from what it does to male athletes. Although many of the issues that come up regarding women and steroid use are related specifically to reproductive issues, another important area of concern was mentioned in the article. Steroid use in women leads to an increased risk of osteoporosis. The article explains that this is "due to a steroid's exhaustion of a woman's blood circulating calcium (as well as other minerals) levels. When this occurs the body begins to leech stored calcium deposits directly from the bones leaving them brittle." There are obviously a large number of reasons why women (and men also) should not take steroids. Concern about osteoporosis is one of them. Those athletes who have dabbled with steroid use in the past may consider getting a bone density scan to see if they have put themselves at risk. photo credit