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Disclaimer: The following article is for educational purposes only and NOT to promote the use of illegal steroids. If you have any questions or concerns, Dr. Touliatos is currently available for consultations.

Anavar (Oxandrolone) is commonly nicknamed ‘the girl steroid‘. Although it’s popular among men, it is even more so among women — due to a lack of virilization side effects.
Thus, Anavar is one of the few anabolic steroids available, that women can take to build muscle and burn fat, without them forming a masculine appearance.
Furthermore, Anavar is an oral steroid, which is preferable to injectable steroids (for many women).
In this article, we will detail the benefits, side effects, typical results and cycle information for women on Anavar.

Anavar Benefits

Muscle Hypertrophy
Fat Loss
Enhances Muscular Endurance
Lack of Virilization

Muscle Hypertrophy
Anavar is a potent muscle-builder; however, it’s not going to transform the average woman into a 200lb man (like some might believe).
Realistically, women can expect to build approximately 12lbs of muscle from their first Anavar cycle.
This will have a noticeable effect on muscle hypertrophy, as well as enhancing muscle definition.
Muscular strength will also drastically improve, due to enhanced ATP (intracellular adenosine triphosphate) production and higher levels of exogenous testosterone; enhancing protein synthesis.
Fat Loss
Many anabolic steroids reduce subcutaneous fat — but increase visceral fat.
Thus, many steroids will cause less fat on the surface (externally); but at the expense of a bloated midsection (even when lean). This protruding abdominal appearance is indicative of high visceral fat.
However, one of the best benefits of Anavar is that it burns both visceral and subcutaneous fat; helping women to achieve a smaller waist.
This reduction in visceral fat mass is particularly beneficial for women, as they are more prone to storing belly fat. This is due to women having higher estrogen levels, causing distinct fat distribution compared to their male counterparts.
One way Anavar burns fat is simply from being exogenous testosterone — a fat-burning hormone that increases lipolysis. However, Anavar’s chemical formula also spikes T3 (triiodothyronine) levels, a potent thyroid fat-burning hormone — that also has positive effects on the metabolism.
Anavar also has a positive effect on insulin sensitivity (unlike most anabolic steroids), which is the hormonal explanation for reductions in visceral fat.
Enhances Muscle Endurance
Anavar, essentially being a form of exogenous testosterone, will increase red blood cell production; thus causing superior oxygen delivery to the muscles.
This can enhance muscular endurance, hence how some athletes try and obtain a winning edge by taking steroids.
Although users typically build moderate amounts of muscle on Anavar, they rarely gain much weight; due to a lack of the aromatase enzyme being present and simultaneous fat burning. Thus, users aren’t just building muscle but also stripping the body of extracellular water and fat mass; improving functionality.
Lack of Virilization
Women are rarely troubled with the side effects of Anavar, especially from a masculinization/virilization perspective.
However, it is not impossible for a woman’s voice to deepen, her clitoris to enlarge, or for menstrual cycles to be disrupted (if high dosages or excessively long cycles are utilized).
However, women do need to be particularly careful that the ‘Anavar’ they are taking is truly 100% Anavar (Oxandrolone) and not another substance. Anavar is often counterfeited on the black market, being replaced with Dianabol (a much cheaper steroid to produce). If a woman unknowingly takes Dianabol, virilization side effects are very likely.
Anavar Side Effects
Post-Cycle Come Down
Anavar suppresses endogenous testosterone, which isn’t just problematic for men; as testosterone remains a crucial hormone for women also.
Testosterone is important for well-being, libido, confidence and energy levels in women.
Thus, they can often feel lethargic with a low mood after taking Anavar, and thus not exempt from a post-cycle come down.
Anavar is not an overly suppressive anabolic steroid; however, if a woman’s well-being is notably affected, she may want to run a post-cycle therapy.
Women have had success in accelerating the recovery of their endogenous testosterone when supplementing with DHEA — the official prescription medication for women with low androgen levels.
DHEA – Anavar PCT For Women

25-50mg per day (4 weeks)

Cholesterol
All anabolic steroids will skew cholesterol levels in the wrong direction, with LDL (low-density lipoprotein) increasing and HDL (high-density lipoprotein) decreasing.
Anavar’s effects on cholesterol are relatively mild in comparison to other steroids; however, blood pressure is still likely to rise on-cycle.
Thus, any woman with existing high blood pressure should avoid Anavar. Performing regular cardio during a cycle will also help to regulate blood pressure.
Users should avoid taking stimulants whilst on Anavar to offer further protection to the heart.
Liver Toxicity
Anavar is a c-17 alpha-alkylated steroid and thus it is liver toxic. However, most users do not experience excessively high ALT/AST enzymes after a cycle.
Thus, Anavar is not strongly hepatotoxic, compared to other oral steroids.
However, if users are drinking copious amounts of alcohol on-cycle, taking toxic medications or stacking Anavar with other orals (such as Anadrol or Winstrol); then cirrhosis or peliosis hepatis are both possible.
Ultimately, the liver is a very resilient organ that often takes much abuse in order to fail, which Anavar is unlikely to cause by itself. However, precautions and regular monitoring of liver enzymes remains essential. Supplementing with TUDCA can also alleviate hepatic strain when taking orals like Anavar.
Typical Anavar Results (in Women)
Anavar results (in women) – 10mg per day
Notice how this woman has lost a significant amount of fat, specifically in the midsection.
Furthermore, her total weight has actually increased, indicative of muscle gain. Thus, results on Anavar should not be monitored with scales (due to simultaneous fat-burning and muscle-building) — but instead visually.
Anavar Dosage for Women
Typical Anavar dosages for women are 5-10mg/day.
Cycles often last from 4-5 weeks.
The higher the dosage and longer the cycle, the higher the risk of side effects.
However, many women barely notice any negative effects in such dosages.
Anavar-only cycles are typically recommended for women, as stacking can increase the risk of masculinization.
For more information on other anabolic steroids women can use, read our post: Best Steroids for Women (That Won’t Turn You Into a Man).
Anavar Pros and Cons
Pros:

Potent fat burner
Builds lean muscle
Mild side effects
Tolerated well by women (retaining femininity)

Cons:

Expensive to purchase
Illegal to use (for cosmetic purposes)
Often counterfeited on the black market