Androgenization in bodybuilding (women)?

Question

I know it's a weird question but my mom and I were arguing over this: can a woman become androgenized just from natural changes in her testosterone levels arising from doing hardcore bodybuilding?

I know exercise, especially weight lifting raises your testosterone level (because testosterone helps you build muscle) but I do not believe it's enough to change a woman's facial features AT ALL.

My mom says YES.

Is there anyone who believes that?

I say that androgenization of the features will only happen when a woman is on steroids.

Answer 1

If you could significantly increase your testosterone level by weight training, female bodybuilders would not need to inject steroids. Your body may increase slightly the production of testosterone in order to create some muscle, but this is actually good for you because it will tend to decrease body fat, but this would not be enough to affect a womens appearance.

Women naturally have less testosterone then men and because of this they will have more trouble adding muscle. Weight training will not significantly change this no matter how much is done.

All women and men have varying levels of testosterone in their bodies which will dictate the amount of muscle building they accomplish, and weight training will not significantly change this. That is why to overcome their genetics many bodybuilders need to take take steroids.

Answer 2

I think it is more likely that those hardcore female body builders with less than 10% body fat were already androgenized before they even started body building or they took steroids to achieve their goals.

HTH : )