Do You Have To Take Testosterone Forever Ftm

Are Puberty Blockers Safe

Most experts, including our team, believe that puberty blockers are safe:

• The Endocrine Society and the World Professional Association for Transgender Health support the use of puberty blockers for kids who want to delay or prevent unwanted physical changes.
• The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved puberty blockers for children who start puberty at a young age.

Ftm Transition Can Be More Than Just A Top Surgery

Maybe youve had gender-affirming top surgery to masculinize your chest, or maybe youve decided that it isnt a step youre ready to take. Either way, there are other paths to start or continue your journey to the body in which you feel most at home.

What Changes Can I Expect From Masculinizing Hormone Therapy

You may notice changes as early as one month after youve started taking testosterone, but it may take a little longer to achieve the maximum effects. How quickly your body responds to the therapy depends on individual factors, like your age and genetics.

Many of these changes persist even if you stop taking hormones. Others require that you continue taking testosterone regularly. For example, changes related to muscle mass, body fat distribution and menstruation all require that you dont stop taking testosterone.

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What Are The Benefits Of Masculinizing Hormone Therapy

Masculinizing hormone therapy can improve your overall well-being by helping to align your physical body with your gender.

Depending on your treatment goals, masculinizing hormone therapy can:

• Allow you to experience gender congruence, a feeling of comfort in your gendered body.
• Improve your psychological well-being and mental health.
• Increase your sexual satisfaction.

Surgery For Trans Women

Gender surgery for trans women includes:

• removal of the testes
• construction of a vulva
• construction of a clitoris

Breast implants for trans women are not routinely available on the NHS.

Facial feminisation surgery and hair transplants are not routinely available on the NHS.

As with all surgical procedures there can be complications. Your surgeon should discuss the risks and limitations of surgery with you before you consent to the procedure.

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How Does Masculinizing Hormone Therapy Work

You can take testosterone as injectables, pills, pellets, patches and gels. Your healthcare provider can recommend the type, dose and frequency thats right for you.

To lower the risk of complications and side effects, you may start with a low dose. As your body gets used to the therapy, your healthcare provider may increase your dosage. After achieving the desired results, youll take a lower dose for the rest of your life.

Testosterone Treatment Tips And Preparation

We know that FTM testosterone treatment can bring a lot of sleepless nights and headaches. When feeling anxious and full of doubts, remember that there are many FTM guys who are experiencing these emotions as well. Luckily, there are tips and advice that may bring a little relief to this journey. Tips for testosterone treatment include:

1. Learn about testosterone therapy as much as possible. Knowing everything about possible side effects, physical changes and the process will help you to feel prepared and anxiety-free. Moreover, try to learn as much as possible about available testosterone types and dosage options.

2. Prepare for health evaluation. It is usual practice to collect personal and family medical history. Prepare for various screenings – taking blood samples, pregnancy tests, age, and sex-related screenings. Some FTMâs who want to begin testosterone treatment may undergo a mental health evaluation as well. The evaluation explores gender dysphoria and overall mental health, possible bad habits.

3. Take care of yourself. As you may have already noticed, testosterone is a serious medication and injections are not as simple to take as any different treatment. Hence, try to notice alarming changes in your body , as well as emotional, behavioral changes. Moreover, be sure to inject the prescribed dosage and be careful during the process of injection.

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Testosterone Will Increase Your Upper Body Strength Dramatically

This deserves its own section because it is so dramatic. Before T, I spent years working out in gyms, lifting weights, hiring personal trainers. Still I could not do one decent push-up. Within a year of starting testosterone, I could do 20 push-ups with ease. At the moment, I have not set foot in a gym for a year yet I can drop and give you 15 push-ups without breaking a sweat. And they feel light and easy! In short, my upper body strength has increased dramatically since starting testosterone.

Hormone Therapy For Transgender Individuals

If you are transgender, you must begin hormone therapy before developing secondary sex characteristics . Hormone therapy is typically prescribed around the age of 16 and lasts three to twelve months, with the timing and dosage determined by the individual. The maximum effect is usually felt within one to two years. In addition to increasing facial and body hair, hormone therapy will deepen the voices.

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What Is Masculinizing Hormone Therapy

Masculinizing hormone therapy is gender-affirming treatment that produces the secondary sex characteristics associated with being designated male at birth . This treatment uses testosterone to spur changes in your body that society associates with masculinity, like a deeper voice, more body hair and increased muscle mass.

What You Need To Know

Depending on age and individual makeup, typical testosterone levels in adult men range widely, from 2801,100 ng/dl, according to researchers at the University of Rochester. Most adult men average about 679 ng/dl, although some researchers suggest that 400600 is optimal in healthy individuals. Testosterone decreases naturally with age, but slowly, at a rate of about 1 percent a year after age 30. Low testosterone can also be caused by tumors in the pituitary gland or testes, especially in younger men, as well as diseases such as type 2 diabetes. It also has been strongly linked to obesity.

So what are the signs of low testosterone? They include low sex drive, fatigue, loss of muscle mass, decreased bone mass, increased body fat and mood changes, including irritability or lack of focus.

Multiple studieshave found that testosterone effectively boosts libido and sexual function for older men with hypogonadism. TRT also has been linked to modest increases in bone density, muscle tone and grip strength.

Comparatively, hypogonadism affects about 3 percent to 5 percent of men under age 45. For them, side effects may be much more dangerous, including permanent infertility, said Halis Kaan Akturk, a professor of medicine at the University of Colorado and formerly a doctor at the Mayo Clinic. Akturk said he sees at least one patient per day seeking testosterone, many of them former student athletes now in their 20s and 30s, who began taking testosterone early and are now dependent.

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At What Age Can You Start Taking Puberty Blockers

Because every child is different, there isnt a single best age to begin puberty blockers.

In general, starting puberty blockers in early puberty leads to better outcomes and prevents the lifelong difficulties that can result from living with undesired sex characteristics. While they can stop puberty from progressing, however, blockers cant reverse changes that have already happened.

At What Point In My Gender Transition Can I Start Masculinizing Hormone Therapy

Together, you and your provider can decide the best time to start therapy. Some gender-nonconforming individuals go their entire lives without needing or wanting gender-affirming therapies or surgeries. Others begin therapy as soon as possible.

The Endocrine Society recommends that transgender adolescents start hormone therapy at 16 at the earliest. Earlier than 16, they recommend puberty blockers. The difference is that:

• Hormone therapy causes some changes to your body that are irreversible.
• Puberty blockers delay the onset of secondary sex characteristics associated with the gender you were assigned at birth. They prevent gender-nonconforming children from developing characteristics that may cause them to experience gender dysphoria, but they dont produce irreversible changes.

In some instances, transgender youths under 16 and their caregivers may decide that its best to begin masculinizing hormone therapy early for the well-being of the child. The right time to start treatment varies on a case-by-case basis.

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Puberty Blockers And Cross

Puberty blockers pause the physical changes of puberty, such as breast development or facial hair.

Little is known about the long-term side effects of hormone or puberty blockers in children with gender dysphoria.

Although GIDS advises this is a physically reversible treatment if stopped, it is not known what the psychological effects may be.

It’s also not known whether hormone blockers affect the development of the teenage brain or children’s bones. Side effects may also include hot flushes, fatigue and mood alterations.

From the age of 16, teenagers who’ve been on hormone blockers for at least 12 months may be given cross-sex hormones, also known as gender-affirming hormones.

These hormones cause some irreversible changes, such as:

• breast development
• breaking or deepening of the voice

Long-term cross-sex hormone treatment may cause temporary or even permanent infertility.

However, as cross-sex hormones affect people differently, they should not be considered a reliable form of contraception.

There is some uncertainty about the risks of long-term cross-sex hormone treatment.

Where Does This Testosterone Idea Come From

The largest contributor to the widespread belief that one must be on testosterone therapy before an FTM top surgery would be medical insurance providers. This is especially true in the United States, where you would have to be on hormone replacement therapy for a year to be eligible for coverage.

In addition, there is this unfounded rumour that being on testosterone will keep your breasts from growing back or becoming full womanly breasts again. This is, of course, not true. Bear in mind that the results of an FTM top surgery are permanent and irreversible.

Many blogs would advise going on testosterone because of its potential benefit to give you large chest muscles, which gives your plastic surgeon ample of space for muscular contouring. But push-ups and lots of upper body workout after you have fully recovered from your FTM top surgery procedure have more promising and enduring results.

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What Should You Do About Troubling Side Effects

TRT does come with several possible side effects, and its important that you undergo the relevant testing with your doctor prior to starting treatment. Those with cancer, heart disease, or sleep apnea are at much higher risk of dangerous side effects and should tread cautiously. While the potential side effects of TRT pose significant risks to your health, others are milder and more manageable. However, thats not to say that you should ignore side effects if they are bothering you. If you have any concerns about possible side effects, this is something you should discuss with your doctor. They may be able to assist with solutions or management of these, without needing to stop your TRT.

What Happens When I Stop Testosterone Therapy

Once you have achieved the above benefits, we will help you to use your increased strength, energy and motivation, to help you to keep your testosterone levels where they should be, even once you stop testosterone therapy.

After you have stopped taking testosterone some of the lifestyle changes you should make to avoid a subsequent drop in your testosterone levels are:

• Getting regular exercise
• Getting enough sleep
• Eating a healthy and nutritious diet
• Reducing stress
• Reducing consumption of alcohol

After you stop testosterone therapy, you will likely also be put on a regimen of vitamins and nutritional supplements designed to stimulate your body to increase your natural testosterone output.

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How Do I Take Testosterone Replacement Therapy

TRT comes in several different forms. Each has pros and cons.

Patches. These are easy to apply. But patches can cause skin rashes and may have to be applied more than once a day.

Gels. You rub gels into the skin daily. They are convenient to use. But you have to be careful that no one comes into contact with the treated area for several hours after you’ve applied it. Otherwise they could get testosterone in their system. A nasal gel is now available that eliminates the risk of exposure to others.

Buccal patch. You put this on your upper gum twice a day. These patches are convenient but can cause irritation or gum disease.

Injections. Injections are given anywhere from 2 to 10 weeks apart. They are inexpensive compared to other treatments. But injections may not provide steady benefits. Your testosterone levels will go back down between doses.

Subcutaneous pellets. Your doctor inserts these under your skin every 3 to 6 months. They are very convenient once they’re put in, but they require minor surgery for each dose.

Should I Avoid Testosterone Replacement Therapy If I Have Certain Conditions

Guidelines from the Endocrine Society say you should not have TRT if you have prostate cancer or breast cancer.

But some studies suggest that men who have been successfully treated for prostate cancer may be candidates for TRT as long as they are closely watched for signs of disease. Before starting TRT, your doctor should assess your risk for prostate cancer.

You might be told by a doctor not to get TRT if you have these conditions, which may be made worse by TRT:

• Above-normal red blood cell counts

TRT is also not advised to be used for treating those with low testosterone caused by aging.

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Kayden Coleman 35 Took Testosterone For 5 Years Before Pausing Then Started Taking It Again

Kayden Coleman, a 35-year-old trans medical advocate and educator, started taking testosterone in 2009.

While he was really excited about the changes that happened in his first year on T, he said the weekly shot became more of a hassle, especially once certain changes, like hair growth and voice deepening, plateaued.

A post shared by Kayden X Coleman

Coleman stopped taking testosterone twice. The first time was after a surgeon told him to before he underwent top surgery in 2013, though he has since learned that may not have been medically necessary. The second time was in 2019, when he moved states, briefly lost medical coverage, and became pregnant.

“With testosterone, that first year is like, you cannot wait to take your shot because all these changes. Then, you kind of get to where you are, and you’re like, ‘OK, I’ll take it next week,'” Coleman said. “Or like me, you’ll get needle anxiety and really put it off.”

When he stopped taking testosterone, he said he didn’t experience many negative effects. Because Coleman already had a full beard and low voice, which are permanent effects of testosterone, he said going off it didn’t change many things physically.

But he said he felt a lot more emotional going off T.

“When I’m not on testosterone, I’m like all over the place,” Coleman said. “Testosterone kind of keeps me at a more level headspace.”

Is It Safe To Just Stop Taking Testosterone Replacement Therapy

Abruptly ceasing any medical treatment without the advice of your doctor is not recommended. In the case of TRT, you also need to bear in mind the role hormones play in almost every function of your body. While its unlikely that going cold turkey on TRT will place you at imminent risk of death, it will make you feel extremely uncomfortable. Suddenly depriving your body of testosterone will result in a massive shock to your system. This is something you will need to be prepared for if you wish to end the treatment, however as always, you should consult your doctor before making any drastic changes.

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Ftm Testosterone Therapy Basics

DISCLAIMER The information contained herein is to be used for educational purposes only. The author is not a medical professional, and this information should not be considered medical advice. This information should NOT be used to replace consultation with or treatment by a trained medical professional. The listing of a medication herein does not imply endorsement by the author.

Also check out the page “Myths and Misconceptions about Testosterone, Transition, and Trans Men” for additional information.

Overview For trans men who have been born into “typically female bodies” , as well as trans men who were born into intersex bodies, the goal of testosterone therapy is to induce and maintain the presence of masculine secondary sex characteristics.

In FTM testosterone therapy, testosterone can be administered into the body in a number of ways. The most common method is injection with a syringe. Other delivery methods include transdermal application through gel, cream, or patch applied to the skin orally by swallowing tablets sublingually/buccally by dissolving a tablet under the tongue or against the gums or by a pellet inserted under the skin. The T-delivery method used will depend on the type of medication available in the country of treatment, the health risks/benefits for the patient, personal preference, and cost.

For more on T dosing, click here to go to the section “Testosterone Types and Delivery.”

Skin oils and acne may lessen.

Body scent may change.

Who Should Not Take Trt

Dr. Welliver cautions men with an untreated heart problem, sleep apnea or a history of elevated red blood cell counts to not take TRT, as testosterone could worsen these conditions. Men with prostate or breast cancer should carefully use TRT for the same reason, he said. “Men planning on having children should avoid TRT, because it can decrease sperm count and fertility,” said Dr. Welliver.

Do not take TRT for non-medical reasons, such as body building, preventing aging changes or performance enhancement. Men who have normal testosterone levels will not be helped by TRT. “Some men buy testosterone-boosting products at the gym or online, and that can be dangerous,” he warned. “You don’t know what’s in those products as they are not regulated by any governing body.”

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