Did I hear you say – ‘TRT for women?’
Yes. Testosterone Replacement Therapy or TRT for short is traditionally associated with men with low endogenous testosterone levels.
However, in recent times, there has been a rise in the number of women partaking in TRT, particularly females involved in fitness, athletics and/or bodybuilding.
Generally speaking, females that run TRT often significantly improve both their physique and overall athletic performance.
In fact, TRT in women is widely known to boost bone density, increase muscle strength, boost libido, and regulate mood amongst other advantages.
Now, it is worth pointing out that TRT is not recommended for every woman out there.
Even amongst fitness enthusiasts, TRT in women is still for a select few advanced level female bodybuilders that are in competition mode often in preparation for a highly competitive bodybuilding event.
As already mentioned, the key Testosterone Replacement Therapy benefits for female bodybuilders include performance and muscle mass gains.
In this article, we delve deeper into the main benefits that drive female bodybuilders into running a TRT program.
We will also take a look at the recommended cycle length, dosage plan and possible post-cycle therapy considerations along with the potential risks that female bodybuilders on TRT may be exposed to.
The Benefits of Safe Hormone Therapy Practices for Women in Bodybuilding
Female bodybuilders that choose to run a TRT program can expect to experience a myriad of bodybuilding gains and four of the key benefits of safe hormone therapy practices for women in bodybuilding are as follows:
#1. Enhancing Muscle Mass in Female Bodybuilders with TRT
When female bodybuilders run a TRT program, they increase the exogenous testosterone levels in their bloodstream which in turn boosts the body’s rate of protein synthesis in muscle tissues.
This leads to muscle growth and strength gains which can be further optimized with a strength training regimen that incorporates progressive overload for even greater strength and muscle gains.
#2. TRT Speeds Up Recovery in Women
When women run a testosterone replacement therapy program, they increase their body’s testosterone levels which ultimately helps in reducing the length of time it takes for them to recover properly from their weekly weight training sessions.
Muscles experience microtears during resistance training, therefore muscles need some time to heal and recover from the microtears which then leads to a growth in muscle mass.
#3. TRT Boosts Bone Density
Another reason why female bodybuilders choose to practice TRT is to improve their bone health by boosting bone density.
This is important as female bodybuilders need to have strong bones that can withstand the rigors of intense weight training sessions.
The last thing any competitive bodybuilder needs is an injury that knocks them out for an extensive length of time as this could be detrimental to their bodybuilding efforts.
The consequence of a bone fracture could be a lengthy downtime that can lead to weight gain and muscle loss due to little or no workout time.
#4. TRT Helps with Mood Swings and Self-Motivation
Women are said to experience improvements in both their self-motivation and general mood when they embark on TRT.
The importance of being in a great mood and being motivated to wake up each day and put in the work needed to improve your physique through intense resistance training cannot be overemphasized.
Indeed these are the four main Testosterone Replacement Therapy benefits for female bodybuilders with each benefit playing a crucial role in improving their mental, psychological and physical attributes.
Recommended Dosage and Cycle Length for TRT
It is important to note that virilization effects of testosterone therapy in females is real. Therefore, women looking to run a TRT program for their bodybuilding needs have to do so with moderation in mind.
To this end, starting with a moderate dosage of between 25 to 50 milligrams weekly over a period of 6 to 12 weeks would be a smart thing to do.
It is also important to know that this dosage and cycle plan is based purely on anecdotal claims by a few female bodybuilders.
Post-Cycle Therapy (PCT) Considerations and Risks of TRT in Women Athletes
Similar to there not being a universally acceptable dosage and cycle plan for TRT in women, so also is there not a general PCT protocol as unlike male bodybuilders, female bodybuilders have a much different hormonal physiology.
However, there are a few considerations that women wishing to start TRT need to take seriously and these include:
#1. Regular Hormonal Checkups
Female bodybuilders need to regularly check their hormonal levels through blood tests to spot potentially dangerous elevations in hormonal levels early and to be able to make telling interventions to curb fluctuations in hormone levels.
#2. Making Lifestyle Changes
Apart from training hard and running a TRT program, female bodybuilders will be able to optimize their bodybuilding gains when they make deliberate steps to change their current lifestyle.
This means getting a lot of rest and sleep, eating well with a proper nutrition and diet plan, properly managing anxiety and stress, and avoiding nasty habits like excessive alcohol drinking and vaping or smoking cigarettes.
Making lifestyle changes will help to promote hormonal balance during and after a TRT program.
#3. TRT Supervision
It is necessary for women wishing to start TRT to seek proper guidance before, during and after their cycle.
Supervision can come from an experienced mentor and/or qualified physician that will offer invaluable advice while pointing out potential health risks and recommending genuine solutions.
#4. Health Considerations
Women should consider the health risks involved with TRT which include liver dysfunction, cardiovascular problems, psychological issues, and virilization or the development of masculine traits.
#5. Ethical and Legal Considerations
Note that running TRT before a competitive bodybuilding event may be in violation of sporting laws and regulations in certain jurisdictions. So you are expected to do your due diligence before embarking on a TRT run.
Potential Risks of TRT in Women Athletes, Fitness Enthusiasts and Bodybuilders
Women are potentially exposed to some health concerns when they run TRT.
Here are four potential risks of TRT in women athletes, fitness enthusiasts and bodybuilders.
Virilization:
Women are exposed to masculinization side effects like the growth of facial and body hair, the deepening of their voice, and fluctuations in their menstrual cycle when they run TRT.
Cardiovascular Health Problems:
It is a known fact that high testosterone levels in the body can be the catalyst for cardiovascular health issues. It can lead to a greater risk of strokes, heart disease and heart failure.
Liver Health Concerns:
Oral testosterone can be detrimental to the health of the liver, especially when administered over an extended length of time. Using liver protection supplements like TUDCA or Milk Thistle with oral testosterone is therefore advised.
Psychological Issues
While TRT can help with self-motivation and the improvement of one’s mood, it can also be responsible for psychological issues like aggression and mood swings due to fluctuating hormonal levels.
Conclusion
The Testosterone Replacement Therapy benefits for female bodybuilders include strength, performance and muscle mass gains. However, there are a few risk factors that you need to be aware of before you begin TRT. Remember to always prioritize your health and never run TRT unsupervised. You can get free coaching on TRT from an expert today.