Effects of increased Testosterone-dose?

[Vince94]

Hey, everyone!

I'm on low dose T now for about 7 months, I use Testogel and, except for a few more whiskers and other very little changes, there hasn't really happened anything yet. I don't wanna say I'm not happy with what has changed but I really wish for a little more, especially after that time. My dose is really low, now I want to take twice as much and hope to get closer to my goal during the next months. But there are two things I'm a little worried about so I thought maybe someone here could help me!

About two or three months after I've started HRT, I noticed that I'm losing much more hair than before. It still looks totally okay but there IS a difference. Do you think I will lose even more when I increase the dose? I mean, if that's the case I will accept it. Before I started HRT I was waaay more worried about that. Now it's not that much of a problem for me anymore but it would still be nice to know what to expect. :'D

And the second thing (which I'm more afraid of): I've read that transmen on Testosterone have to have their internal female parts removed (uterus and ovaries, as far as I know) because else the risk will be higher to develop cancer. I don't know if that's true and if yes, how quickly I have to do that to prevent anything! I'm afraid I'll have less time to undergo that treatment when I increase my dose, and I don't know when I'll be ready for that. (It's not that I want to keep those parts, I just have a problem with hospitals and suffer from panic attacks when it comes to certain check ups or medical treatments...) And another question that's just coming to my mind: Will the removal of those parts have any other effects on my physical and mental health?

 

I want to talk with my gynaecologist about all that anyway but I'd still like to hear some opinions/experiences from other transmen (or non-binary persons on T or others who know more than I do)! I don't know how much my gynaecologist knows about the whole topic, and unfortunately, I can't talk with my endocrinologist about it because she probably can't tell me ANYTHING. I don't wanna sound mean but she's really not competent, and I'm not the only one who noticed that. Everytime I was there, I've had bad experiences. She gave me wrong information. Not to mention the assistants. But she's the only endocrinologist within my reach so I don't have much of a choice.

 

So, I hope someone here can share their knowledge/experiences with me; I'd be grateful for any answer!

[Ivy]

Sorry to say, as MtF I don't know about this stuff.

[Vince94]

No problem! I'll just wait for someone who can help me, I guess. xD

[Jackie C.]

Yeah, the pattern with our FtMs seems to be like this: They join. They get on testosterone. They realize how easy it is to pass as a man. We never see them again.

 

As a result, a lot of our FtMs are too young to get on HRT. We had a FtM admin, but I haven't seen him on line in ages.

 

Hugs!

[Vince94]

@Jackie C.

*sigh* I wish it would be that easy for me. Apparently, I don't pass as a man yet. If there weren't those things I'm worried about, I'd increase my dose immediately.

I hope there is an FtM left here anywhere I can talk to maybe...? ?

Anyway, thanks for your answer (and the hug)!

[Ivy]

I'm sure someone must be lurking around somewhere.

[Vidanjali]

Hi again, @Vince94. @Jackie C.thanks for that insight - I've also wondered why there are so few/intermittent FtM folks here. @Vince94 I identify as nonbinary and I am afab. I am not on any hrt, though. I've read a bit about microdosing T and from what I understand the results vary. As far as hair loss, I understand that that's more typical at higher doses. So, it's possible if you're experiencing that at a small dose, it may be exacerbated at a higher dose. I don't know about the increased risk of cancer for afab individuals on T, but my educated guess is that if that is a concern that it would not need to be addressed immediately as risk is variable and I think such changes would take time and also depend on your family history of susceptibility to cancer. Now, if/when you have ovaries removed, you will need to be under the care of a medical professional. That may sound obvious - what other type of person would be performing such a surgery! What I mean is there are sometimes unpredictable after effects because removal of the ovaries can throw an afab person into sudden menopause and the hormones must be carefully monitored and regulated so as to avoid any complications. It's unfortunate you don't feel confident with your endo. I wish you had other options. Is physical proximity the issue? Insurance? Access to an endo who treats trans folk? If telehealth (remote health care via zoom or the like) has become popular in Germany as it has here in the US, then maybe you could at least find a remote doctor who could answer many of your questions to get you on a good track.

 

Anyway, despite the fact that there are not many FtM nor transmasc people here on Transpulse, I hope you will find support and community here. There also are only a few nonbinary people I see active here, but I still feel I benefit a great deal from reading and sharing here because this community is very kind and caring, and everyone here has something in common - the drive to become our authentic selves however we are able given our circumstances. 

[Vince94]

@Vidanjali

Hi! Thank you for your kind words and the long reply!

I'm currently on a microdose; when I increase it it's probably not microdosing anymore but still pretty low. Regarding the hair loss... well, I guess I'll just have to wait what will happen! Maybe you're right and I will lose more but I've kinda come to terms with the thought of being bald. Getting more masculine and recognized as a man is more important to me than keeping my hair, I guess. 

 

Thank you for the information regarding the ovaries-thing! Ugh, menopause sounds a little frightening to me... ? I'm not a mentally healthy person but I'm finally feeling quite well since last year and don't want my psyche to go crazy or get depressed again because of my hormones! But I think the risk for getting cancer with the dose I want to take and my family-history won't be very high...?

 

My problem with my endo is the physical proximity, yes. She does have trans-patients (like me) and prescribes me my testo-gel but the things she's said about the whole topic (and also other topics) just weren't correct. She doesn't seem to take anything seriously and I also got the feeling that she doesn't like me and was annoyed because of the questions I've asked her. It seemed like she just wanted me to start HRT and as if my worries weren't valid.

The telehealth-thing sounds like an option, I should really try to find someone else! It's really frustrating that I can never talk with her about my worries and then don't know who else I should ask...

 

And yes, I'm sure I will! The community here seems really nice and warm so far.  

Thanks for everything!