Short answer: there is no proven best SARM for women. No SARM has been tested for fat loss or muscle gain in healthy young women. The human data come from postmenopausal women (ostarine, LGD-4033) and women with advanced breast cancer (ostarine at higher doses, RAD-140). Of these, ostarine has the most data, but it lowered HDL cholesterol, and every SARM acts on the androgen receptor, the receptor behind male traits. For women that makes masculinizing effects the main risk, and with androgens some of those, such as a deeper voice, may not reverse.
This page brings together our three older guides on SARMs for women and fat loss. For the general question of whether women should take SARMs at all, see SARMs for women.
SARMs for women compared
| Compound | Studied in women? | What it did | Main risks for women |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ostarine | Yes: healthy postmenopausal women (Phase 2); women with breast cancer | +1.3 kg lean mass vs placebo and about 0.6 kg less fat in 86 days (3 mg/day, men and women together) | Lower HDL (17–27%); liver-enzyme rises at 9–18 mg/day; androgenic effects |
| LGD-4033 | Older adults after hip fracture (men and women) | Lean mass 4.75–9.08% above placebo in 12 weeks | Strong androgen; lower HDL; liver injury case reports |
| RAD-140 | Women with advanced breast cancer only | No muscle data | Liver-enzyme rises in about half of patients; strong androgen |
| Andarine (S4) | No published human results | Unknown | Unknown; androgenic |
| Cardarine (not a SARM) | Short lipid trials (men and women) | Better blood fats; fat loss never measured | Cancers in long-term animal studies |
| MK-677 (not a SARM) | Yes: older women (osteoporosis trial) | No change in total or belly fat; more appetite | Higher blood sugar, water retention, higher prolactin |
Source: Sarmguide compound database.
The usual picks for women, one by one
Ostarine (MK-2866)
Ostarine is the most studied SARM and the only one tested in healthy postmenopausal women. In the 86-day Phase 2 trial (120 older men and postmenopausal women), 3 mg/day added 1.3 kg of lean mass vs placebo, trimmed about 0.6 kg of fat and improved stair-climbing and insulin resistance; HDL fell 17% on 1 mg and 27% on 3 mg. In women with advanced breast cancer, 9–18 mg/day caused grade 3/4 drug-related side effects in 8–16%, most often raised liver enzymes. Users call it the “mildest” SARM, but there is no trial of it in young women, and androgenic effects are still possible.
Andarine (S4)
S4 is often listed for women because it is described as mild, but there are no published human trial results. Users commonly report vision changes (a yellow tint, poor night vision); this has not been studied. See the S4 fact sheet.
Ligandrol (LGD-4033)
LGD-4033 is a strong androgen. Its hip-fracture trial in adults over 65 (men and women) raised lean mass 4.75–9.08% above placebo in 12 weeks; in young men it suppressed hormones at only 1 mg/day. For women this strength is exactly the problem: the stronger the androgen effect, the higher the risk of masculinizing side effects. Several case reports describe cholestatic liver injury with ligandrol products.
Cardarine (GW-501516), not a SARM
Cardarine does not act on the androgen receptor, which is why it is often suggested for women. In short human trials it improved blood fats (HDL up, triglycerides and LDL down), but no trial measured fat loss, and GSK stopped developing it after 2-year studies found cancers in many organs of rats and mice. In female rats on every dose, deaths came earlier, often from uterine cancer. See the cardarine fact sheet.
Ibutamoren (MK-677), not a SARM
MK-677 raises growth hormone and IGF-1 rather than acting on the androgen receptor. It has been tested in older women: in a 12-month osteoporosis trial, it raised IGF-1 and, with alendronate, femoral-neck bone density more than alendronate alone. It did not reduce body fat in its trials, it increases appetite, and it raised blood sugar and prolactin; a few women in the osteoporosis trial stopped because of high prolactin. See MK-677 side effects.
SARMs women should avoid
The stronger the androgen effect, the higher the risk of masculinizing side effects. These are the compounds most often flagged for women:
- RAD-140 (testolone): a strong androgen; in its trial in women with breast cancer, AST rose in 59% and ALT in 45% of patients. Users report voice changes, more body hair and irregular periods.
- YK-11: steroid-based, studied only in cells, no human safety data at all.
- LGD-4033: suppressed hormones at only 1 mg/day in men; liver injury case reports.
- S-23: studied only in rats, where it shut down sperm production as a potential male contraceptive.
Side effects of SARMs in women
Women make far less testosterone than men, so the androgen receptor is a much bigger lever. Studies of women who used anabolic steroids describe a deeper voice, more body and facial hair, clitoral enlargement and missed periods; a 2025 review found that androgens can lower the voice in a dose- and duration-dependent way, and that this may be irreversible. Those studies are about steroids, not SARMs, but SARMs act on the same receptor. Other documented SARM effects apply to women too: lower HDL, raised liver enzymes and, in case reports, liver injury.
Hormonal Imbalance
While SARMs are designed to selectively target androgen receptors, they can still affect hormone levels.
This can lead to hormonal imbalances, including changes in estrogen and testosterone levels. Imbalances may result in irregular menstrual cycles, mood swings, and in some cases, mild testosterone suppression.
Liver Damage
SARMs can strain the liver, potentially causing liver damage over time.
Elevated liver enzymes and liver injury have been reported in individuals using high doses or prolonged cycles of SARMs. Regular monitoring of liver function is essential for early detection and management of any adverse effects.
Cardiovascular Risks
Some SARMs have been associated with adverse cardiovascular effects, such as increased risk of heart attack and changes in blood pressure.
These risks are more pronounced in individuals with existing cardiovascular conditions or those using high doses of SARMs for extended periods.
Virilization Effects
Due to their androgenic nature, SARMs can induce virilization effects in women, including deepening of the voice, excessive facial and body hair growth (hirsutism), and clitoral enlargement.
These effects are typically associated with higher doses or long-term use and can be irreversible even after discontinuing SARMs.
No SARM has been tested in pregnancy, and androgen-receptor drugs should not be used when pregnant or trying to conceive.
Is there a SARM that burns fat in women?
Not on the evidence. In the ostarine trial, fat fell about 0.6 kg vs placebo with no change in body weight, in older adults. No study has tested SARMs for fat loss in young women. What does move body fat is a calorie deficit, enough protein and training; compounds are, at most, a small addition with real risks. See best SARMs for cutting for the full fat-loss evidence.
If you are considering any of these
- Know what is in the bottle. In a 2017 test of 44 SARM products bought online, only 52% contained a SARM. See the lab tests guide.
- Watch for early masculinizing signs (voice change, new facial hair, clitoral changes, missed periods) and stop at the first one.
- Get bloodwork: lipids, liver enzymes and hormones were the markers that moved in trials. See the bloodwork guide.
- Check the rules: all SARMs are banned in sport, and they are unapproved drugs in the US. See are SARMs legal?
Conclusion
Ostarine is the only SARM tested in healthy women, and only in postmenopausal women; it added a little lean mass and lowered HDL. LGD-4033 and RAD-140 are strong androgens with liver signals, S4 has no human data, and the two non-SARMs often suggested for women carry their own risks: cancers in animal studies for cardarine, appetite and blood sugar for MK-677. For women, masculinizing effects are the risk that matters most, and some may be permanent. Related: SARMs for women · ostarine before and after · safest SARMs
Frequently asked questions
What is the best SARM for women?
None provenEvidence: Trial
Ostarine has the most data and is the only SARM tested in healthy postmenopausal women, where it added about 1.3 kg of lean mass vs placebo in 86 days and lowered HDL cholesterol.
What is the best SARM for women to burn fat?
None shown to workEvidence: Trial
Ostarine trimmed about 0.6 kg of fat vs placebo in older adults. MK-677 did not reduce body fat in its trials, and cardarine was never tested for fat loss and caused cancers in animals.
Can women take SARMs?
Not approved for anyoneEvidence: Trial
Women were included in ostarine, LGD-4033 and RAD-140 trials, but only older or ill women. Because SARMs act on the androgen receptor, masculinizing effects are the main risk.
Do SARMs cause masculinization in women?
They canEvidence: Human data
SARMs act on the androgen receptor; studies of women using anabolic steroids describe a deeper voice, more body hair, clitoral enlargement and missed periods. A review found voice changes may be irreversible.
Is ostarine safe for women?
Not proven safeEvidence: Trial
In postmenopausal women and older men, 1–3 mg/day lowered HDL by 17–27% over 86 days. At 9–18 mg/day in women with breast cancer, liver-enzyme rises were the most common serious side effect.
Which SARMs should women avoid?
Strong androgens, e.g. RAD-140Evidence: Trial
Strong androgens such as RAD-140, LGD-4033 and YK-11 carry the highest risk of masculinizing effects, and RAD-140 also raised liver enzymes in about half of the women in its trial.
Do women need PCT after SARMs?
Not studiedEvidence: Limited
There are no studies of PCT in women after SARMs. Hormone changes and missed periods are reasons to stop and see a doctor, who can check hormones and look for other causes.
How long does it take to see results from SARMs?
Weeks, and changes were smallEvidence: Trial
In trials, lean-mass changes were measured after 3 to 12 weeks and were about 1–1.5 kg. Faster or larger changes reported online cannot be checked.
Sources
- The selective androgen receptor modulator GTx-024 (enobosarm) improves lean body mass and physical function in healthy elderly men and postmenopausal women: results of a double-blind, placebo-controlled phase II trial
- Activity and safety of enobosarm, a novel, oral, selective androgen receptor modulator, in androgen receptor-positive, oestrogen receptor-positive, and HER2-negative advanced breast cancer (Study G200802): a randomised, open-label, multicentre, multinational, parallel design, phase 2 trial
- ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02578095: Acute Hip Fracture Study in Patients 65 Years or Greater (VK5211), posted results
- A First-in-Human Phase 1 Study of a Novel Selective Androgen Receptor Modulator (SARM), RAD140, in ER+/HER2- Metastatic Breast Cancer
- Ligandrol (LGD-4033)-Induced Liver Injury
- Rat carcinogenicity study with GW501516, a PPAR delta agonist (Geiger et al., The Toxicologist 2009, abstract 895)
- Effect of alendronate and MK-677 (a growth hormone secretagogue), individually and in combination, on markers of bone turnover and bone mineral density in postmenopausal osteoporotic women
- Stimulation of the growth hormone (GH)-insulin-like growth factor I axis by daily oral administration of a GH secretogogue (MK-677) in healthy elderly subjects
- Effects of an oral ghrelin mimetic on body composition and clinical outcomes in healthy older adults: a randomized trial
- Voice Change as a Result of Androgen Supplementation in Cisgender Women: A Scoping Review
- Anabolic-androgenic steroid use among women - A qualitative study on experiences of masculinizing, gonadal and sexual effects
- Chemical Composition and Labeling of Substances Marketed as Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators and Sold via the Internet