SARMs vs. Prohormones for Women: A Complete Guide

Many people want to get stronger, build muscle, or lose fat to feel healthier or perform better in sports. For women, there are two types of substances that some use to help achieve these goals: SARMs and prohormones. SARMs stands for Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators, and they work by attaching to certain parts of your body to help with muscle growth. Prohormones, on the other hand, turn into hormones like testosterone after they are taken, which helps build muscle.

In this guide, we’ll explain what these substances are, how they work, and the main differences between them. We will also look at which one might be safer or better for women who are interested in using them for fitness purposes.

Table of Contents

Key Takeaways:

SARMs help you build muscle and lose fat, but they are generally milder than prohormones.
Prohormones work faster, but they can cause more serious side effects.
It is important to understand both types to make the best choice for your health and fitness goals.

1. What Are SARMs?

1.1 Definition and Overview

SARMs are a kind of chemical that helps your muscles grow. They were originally made to help people who have trouble keeping muscle, like older adults or people who are very sick. SARMs attach to certain parts of your body, like your muscles and bones, and tell those parts to grow or get stronger. Unlike other muscle-building drugs, SARMs do not affect other parts of the body as much, which means there are usually fewer side effects. Learn more about the side effects of prohormones and SARMs.

1.2 How SARMs Work

SARMs attach to specific receptors in your muscles and bones. This helps build muscle and make bones stronger without affecting other parts of the body like the liver or reproductive organs. They are designed to be more focused, which means they usually don’t cause as many problems as other stronger substances.

1.3 Why Were SARMs Created?

SARMs were first created to help people with bone diseases like osteoporosis and to treat muscle wasting in sick patients. Scientists noticed that these substances could increase muscle size and bone strength without as many bad side effects as other muscle-building drugs. Because of this, they started to become popular with athletes and people who want to improve their body shape. Find out more about how prohormones compare to SARMs for beginners.

1.4 Benefits of SARMs for Women

Muscle Growth: SARMs can help women gain muscle without making them look too bulky.
Fat Loss: Some SARMs, like Cardarine, are great for helping burn fat while keeping muscle.
Bone Strength: SARMs can help make bones stronger, which is important for women to avoid problems like osteoporosis as they get older.
Better Recovery: SARMs also help you recover faster from exercise, so you can train more often without getting too tired. If you’re curious, you can read more about recovery time differences between SARMs and prohormones.

1.5 Types of SARMs Women Use

Ostarine (MK-2866): Good for building lean muscle without getting too bulky. It’s mild and great for beginners.
Ligandrol (LGD-4033): Helps a lot with strength and muscle gains, but it’s stronger than Ostarine.
Andarine (S4): Used mostly for cutting or losing fat. It helps keep muscles while getting more defined.
Cardarine (GW501516): Not exactly a SARM, but it is often used with SARMs to help with fat burning and endurance.

1.6 How to Choose the Right SARM

Your Goal: If you want to gain muscle, you might want to try Ligandrol. If you want to lose fat, Cardarine could be a better choice.
Beginner: If you’re just starting out, Ostarine is usually a good option because it’s gentler on the body.
Safety: Always think about how safe the SARM is and pick one that matches what your body can handle.

2. What Are Prohormones?

2.1 Understanding Prohormones

Prohormones are substances that turn into hormones like testosterone after you take them. They help your body build muscle and get stronger, just like steroids. However, they often come with more risks and side effects. Prohormones were very popular before because they were seen as a legal alternative to steroids, but now many of them are banned.

2.2 How Prohormones Work in the Body

When you take a prohormone, it gets turned into a powerful hormone in your body that works like testosterone. This hormone helps build muscle and strength, which is why athletes use them. Unlike SARMs, they don’t just target muscles—they affect your whole body. Learn about the different cycle lengths for SARMs and prohormones.

2.3 Benefits of Prohormones for Women

More Muscle Fast: Prohormones work faster than SARMs, so they can help women gain muscle quickly.
Strength Boost: They also make you much stronger, allowing you to lift heavier weights.
Quick Results: Results from prohormones are usually seen in just a couple of weeks.

2.4 Types of Prohormones Commonly Used by Women

1-Andro: A milder prohormone that doesn’t cause a lot of water retention, making it great for staying lean.
4-Andro: Helps to build a lot of muscle, but can cause more side effects, including some that look like male characteristics.
Epiandrosterone: This is one of the gentler options, and it doesn’t turn into estrogen, which makes it safer for women worried about hormone balance.

2.5 How to Choose the Right Prohormone

What Are Your Goals?: If you want lean gains, 1-Andro is a good choice. If you want to gain a lot of muscle, 4-Andro might be better.
Side Effects: Prohormones are stronger than SARMs and come with more risks. It’s important to think about whether the possible results are worth those risks.

3. SARMs vs. Prohormones: The Key Differences

3.1 How Do They Work?

SARMs: These attach to androgen receptors in your muscles and bones, which helps them grow while keeping other side effects low.
Prohormones: These turn into testosterone or other hormones, affecting your whole body, not just your muscles.

3.2 Hormonal Effects

SARMs: Have a small effect on hormones. They don’t usually mess with other parts of the body, which makes them safer for women.
Prohormones: Have a big effect on hormones. They can make your body produce more testosterone, which can lead to unwanted changes like facial hair growth or a deeper voice.

3.3 Which Is Better for Muscle Gain?

SARMs: Are great for slow and steady muscle growth. They are safer, especially for women.
Prohormones: Help you gain a lot of muscle fast, but they come with a lot more risks, especially related to hormones.

3.4 Safety Profiles Compared

Factor	SARMs	Prohormones
Hormonal Changes	Mild	Strong
Risk of Masculine Traits	Low	High
Liver Stress	Minimal to None	High Risk
Legal Status	Research only	Mostly Banned

3.5 Cost and Availability

SARMs are usually easier to find online, but you need to make sure the quality is good because there’s not much regulation. For more information, check out the price comparison of SARMs vs. prohormones.
Prohormones are harder to get legally, and they are often more expensive because of their strong effects.

4. Side Effects and Safety Concerns for Women

4.1 Side Effects of SARMs for Women

Hormonal Changes: Some women might notice changes in their period if they use SARMs for a long time.
Skin Problems: SARMs could cause mild acne or hair thinning, especially at higher doses.
Mood Changes: Some people report feeling more anxious or having mood swings.

4.2 Side Effects of Prohormones for Women

Masculine Features: Prohormones can cause voice deepening, facial hair, and clitoral enlargement.
Liver Damage: Since many prohormones are hepatotoxic, they can cause serious damage to the liver.
Severe Hormonal Problems: Prohormones can make it hard for your body to return to its normal hormone balance, which might lead to problems with fertility.

4.3 When to Stop Using Them

For SARMs: Stop if you notice severe side effects like extreme mood swings or losing a lot of hair.
For Prohormones: Stop immediately if you experience liver pain, jaundice (yellow skin), or other unusual symptoms.

5. How to Stay Safe: Important Tips for Women

5.1 Post-Cycle Therapy (PCT)

PCT helps your body recover after using SARMs or prohormones. This is especially important for hormone levels to get back to normal. Learn more about post-cycle therapy for SARMs and prohormones.

5.2 Popular PCT Supplements

SERMs like Tamoxifen help keep estrogen levels down and bring testosterone back to normal.
Herbal Supplements: Things like Ashwagandha can help keep stress low and support normal hormone levels after a cycle.

5.3 Testing Your Health

Blood Tests: It’s smart to get blood tests before and after using these substances to check your hormone levels.
Liver Tests: For those using prohormones, you should also check your liver health with a blood test.

5.4 Best Practices for Using SARMs or Prohormones

Start Small: Start with the lowest dose possible to see how your body reacts.
Keep Cycles Short: Don’t use them for too long. 8 weeks is good for SARMs, and 4-6 weeks is better for prohormones.
Take Breaks: Always take a break after using SARMs or prohormones to let your body recover.

6. Choosing Between SARMs and Prohormones

6.1 Matching the Product to Your Goals

If you want to gain muscle slowly and safely, choose SARMs like Ligandrol.
If you want fast muscle growth but can handle the risks, prohormones might be an option.

6.2 Risks and Your Tolerance

If you are worried about side effects, SARMs are usually a better choice because they have less impact on hormones compared to prohormones.

6.3 Pros and Cons Overview

Factor	SARMs	Prohormones
Pros	Safer, fewer side effects	Fast muscle growth
Cons	Slower results	High risk of side effects

6.4 Making the Right Choice

Talk to a Doctor: Always ask a medical professional for advice, especially if you have any health concerns. Research carefully and know what you’re getting into before starting a cycle.

7. Legal Concerns and Where to Buy

7.1 Are They Legal?

SARMs can be bought online, but they are only for research. They are not approved for sports.
Prohormones are mostly banned because of their risks and their similarity to steroids.

7.2 Choosing the Right Seller

Look for vendors that have good reviews and provide a Certificate of Analysis (COA) to show their products are tested for quality.

7.3 Red Flags to Avoid

Too Cheap: If the product is too cheap, it might be fake.
No Testing: If the seller can’t show proof of third-party testing, don’t buy from them.

8. What Results Can You Expect?

8.1 Results with SARMs

Muscle Growth: Women using SARMs like Ligandrol might gain about 3-5 pounds of muscle in 8 weeks.
Fat Loss: SARMs can also help you lose fat while keeping your muscles strong.
Recovery Benefits: SARMs also help in reducing muscle fatigue, making it easier to train more frequently and recover faster.

8.2 Results with Prohormones

Quick Muscle Gains: Women using prohormones might see 5-10 pounds of muscle growth in just 4-6 weeks.
Strength: You could also see a big increase in strength while using prohormones, especially for lifting heavy weights.

8.3 Keeping Results After Stopping

Keep exercising regularly and eat well.
Use supplements like protein powder to support your muscles.

9. Stacking SARMs and Prohormones

9.1 Why Stack Them?

Combining Benefits: Sometimes people stack SARMs with other SARMs or prohormones to get faster results for both muscle gain and fat loss.

9.2 Risks of Stacking

More Side Effects: Combining these can lead to stronger side effects, like severe hormone problems or liver issues. It is not recommended for beginners.

9.3 Example of a Stack Cycle for Women

Beginner Stack: Use Ostarine (5 mg/day) and Cardarine (10 mg/day) for 8 weeks to balance muscle gain and fat loss.
Advanced Stack: For more experienced users, try Ligandrol + Epiandrosterone, but make sure to use a proper PCT afterward to help with recovery.

FAQ Section

FAQ Heading

Are SARMs safer than prohormones for women? Yes, SARMs are generally safer because they target muscles and bones without as many hormonal effects as prohormones.
Do SARMs require post-cycle therapy for women? Yes, it’s a good idea to do post-cycle therapy (PCT) to help your body recover and restore hormone balance.
What are the risks of virilization with prohormones? Prohormones can lead to virilization, which means developing male features like a deeper voice or more body hair.
Can women stack SARMs and prohormones safely? It’s not recommended for beginners because stacking can cause more serious side effects.
What kind of results can women expect from SARMs vs. prohormones? SARMs provide steady muscle growth and help with fat loss. Prohormones offer fast muscle gains but have more side effects.
How long should a woman cycle SARMs or prohormones? SARMs should be used for about 8-12 weeks. Prohormones should be used for a shorter time, around 4-6 weeks, to stay safe.
How do SARMs affect a woman’s menstrual cycle? SARMs can sometimes cause irregular periods because they affect hormones.
What is the best SARM for fat loss? Cardarine (GW501516) is great for fat loss because it boosts metabolism without losing muscle.
Can women maintain muscle gains after stopping SARMs or prohormones? Yes, if they keep exercising and eating well, women can keep most of their gains.
Is it legal for women to use SARMs and prohormones for fitness? SARMs can be bought legally, but only for research. Prohormones are mostly banned due to their risks.
What should I look for in a quality SARMs supplier? Look for suppliers with a Certificate of Analysis (COA) and good reviews. Avoid sellers who don’t offer testing information.
Can prohormones cause infertility in women? Yes, prohormones can cause serious hormone imbalances, which may affect a woman’s ability to have children.
Are there any alternatives to SARMs and prohormones? Natural options include creatine, protein supplements, and herbs like Ashwagandha, which can help build muscle without the risks of hormones.
What are the signs that SARMs or prohormones are negatively affecting health? Look out for irregular periods, severe mood swings, yellow skin, and liver pain. If you notice these, stop use and talk to a doctor.