Ask Matthew41 Questions

[Guest matthew41]

Hey guys,

I have been in transition for more then 3 years now and have had lots of new experiences. If you would like to know something, just ask.

Matt

[Guest Phoenix]

Um okay I have a question that someone was supposed to ask a professional but he didn't so now I am asking you.

After hrt is there any change in the amount of vaginal fluid produced? (is there more is there less, does nothing really happen). Yeah this question is kind of out of the blue but like I said, I needed someone else to ask it and he didn't so now I did.

[Guest matthew41]

Phoenix,

For me it didn't change.

Matt

[Guest Phoenix]

Okay thanks for answering the question.

[Guest tonyd]

i have binders for underworks...any other suggestion for binding?

[Guest matthew41]

tonyd,

I started with a frog bra from title-9 spots, it flattened well. Then I added a back support over the top. The type that is about 8 inches high and has a Velcro closer, and is mostly spandex so you can still breath. I turned the seam to my side. Over that I wore a tight tee shirt with a baggy one over it. When I got a compression shirt, I sometimes wore the frog bra over the top if I was going to be very active to keep the shirt from riding up.

Matt

[Guest corrin]

if you search for "ftm passing tips" on goggle, it will comeup with one by andy and meany others, it has a good part on binding, you probly know about it already, but i thought ied put it out there

[Guest corrin]

hey matthew41 my friend asked me a question for when i go on T and i thought ied ask you and get the ansore sooner, does taking male hormones make you feel the need to be more sexualy active, thats not how she said it, but thats okay.

[Zufrieden]

Hi Corrin:

"One man's meat is another man's poison"

Just my two cents from the other side of the fence:

For me, testosterone is pure poison.

I think that you could pour it on a rock and make it "sexually arroused".

That being said, I'm sure you're viewing it from another perspective.

We'll have to see what Matthew says.

Z.

[Guest matthew41]

Corrin,

No, it didn't make me feel the need to be more sexually active. It did give me more sensitive feelings in my nether region but not an overwhelming need to act on them. The greatest benefit for me was to smooth out my emotional state. An incredible calm descended on my overactive mind.

Matt

[Zufrieden]

Hi Matt & Corrin:

For me, that's the benefit of an absence of testosterone, stability and calm.

Go figure.

Z.

[Guest matthew41]

Z,

I think this is yet more proof of our brains being wired in our true gender. The right hormones or absence of the wrong hormones now aid the chemical balance in the brain.

Matt

[Zufrieden]

So here's a question for you, Matt: Do you stink?

Seriously, have you acquired that musk smell of men?

I had a close friend with a good sense of smell who years before I did any hormones said that I never smelled like a man.

Since hormones, I find that my smell has gone way down. I can go out in a shirt in the heat, sweat it solid, and after it's hung up to dry I can only detect a faint whiff of laundry detergent. Well, actually, I don't mean shirt, I mean sports bra (with a shirt over it).

My socks have gotten better, but they're still classified as a biological hazard.

Z.

[Guest matthew41]

Z,

I haven't noticed a difference in body odor in general but the dirty clothes in the hamper do stink more then before if I leave them for a week. The change I have noticed is that my shoes stink and I did develop athletes foot problems I never had before.

Matt

[Guest corrin]

okay matt thanks for that, you too Z.

and i'll make a mental note that testostrone wont help my athletes foot problem.

[Guest tonyd]

corrin

I notice a change in my sex drive at first.....but it also depends on your mood i.e. depression etc.

My doctor also warned me increase sex drive, appitite, hair and vocal changes etc....

EDIT to add: My dr and therapist has said your sex drive can depend on your mood

just an ex. if im depressed, confused or lost i usually tend to have no desire for sex or any physical contact, but thats just me

[Guest tonyd]

have you had surgery? if so by what doctor

do you plan to have bottom surgery? if so which procedure

[Guest corrin]

thanks tony, yes i heard that too, but i didnt know it depended on you mood

[Guest tonyd]

have you been in relationship and how did they deal with being ftm?

are you in a relationship now and how are they with you being ftm?

[Guest matthew41]

have you had surgery? if so by what doctor

do you plan to have bottom surgery? if so which procedure

Tony,

I had a double incision mastectomy by Dr. McLean In Mississauga Ontario, Just outside of Toronto. He did an excellent job of resizing and placing new nipples correctly on my chest.

I will have a hysto and matoidioplasty as soon as I can figure out how to pay for it, or find insurance coverage.

Matt

[Guest buzz]

did you find your feet got bigger>?

[Guest corrin]

i think that only happends if you take testostrone in your late teens early twentys

[Guest matthew41]

i think that only happends if you take testostrone in your late teens early twentys

I think your right Corrin, I was 37 so neither my feet or hands got bigger on T. The veins or arteries became more prominent on the surface of my hands and feet.

Matt

[Guest Sergei]

I have a couple of questions if that's ok Matt. I can't wait to begin T. I defiantly want it whatever, but there are two concerns I have.

First of all I have heard about how T, like you said before is supposed to "smooth out" emotions.

The greatest benefit for me was to smooth out my emotional state. An incredible calm descended on my overactive mind.

My mind is like you descibed yours. It races constantly with this great turmoil of thoughts and emotions. It stops me from sleeping, and causes me to have these almost manic ups and downs. When I really thought about the times I feel this the most, I found it seemed to work in cycles. Usually of a month. I've come to the conclusion it must be related to the female hormone cycle, and that the estrogen, just really doesn't work well with me, because it shouldn't happen. So I look forward to the calm that the T will finally bring to me. But I have heard that when you first start T, some transmen find they can't cry anymore. Is that true??? It's a feminine side to my character, but I like to be able to cry, it's an emotional release for me.

Ok, the second question I have is about the hands and feet stuff. I'm 21, so possibly my hands and feet may become bigger right?? This is good if it is the case, because as I have metioned before, I am a pianist. But I have also heard before that you can experience stiffness in the hands from T. Is that true??? And if this is the case, is it permanent, or just a temporary stiffness?

Thanks

[Guest matthew41]

Hey Sergei,

T shouldn't prevent you from being able to cry when you need to. What T will do is diminish the tendency for emotions to be right on the surface. You might find that things that used to cause you to express some emotions instantaneously may instead bring them up slowly, giving you time to decide whether to express or repress them. It takes a little time to get used to this new ability of control and I think some guys automatically hold it all back and relearn to express themselves over time.

Its possible that you might have some growth in your hands and feet but its not predictable who will and who won't. The stiffness you described is related to water retention which is usually temporary. When you first start T, apatite increases and there is bulking up of muscle mass where most guys gain 10 to 15 pounds. While this is happening, the body holds more water and that can puff up your fingers making them stiff. Drinking more water actually helps to reduce the swelling.

Matt