The physical process for me has been the easiest
and most successful. I naturally have levels of the hormone Testosterone that remained on the lower end of normal for
bio males.. For those of you who are not educated in this area, Testosterone is the male sex hormone.
Both the male and females body produces this
hormone. Females body usually produces it in smaller amounts when compared to the male body. I fortunately have
been blessed with a body that produces it at much higher levels. This has made my transition a lot easier.
I was able to grow and maintain facial hair before
starting Testosterone. For me my physical transition has been more about changing things such as clothes, hair cuts and allowing
nature to take it's course. I have cycled on and off of Testosterone for 6.5 yrs now. April will be the month
I hit 7 years.
My experience with Testosterone is kinda unusual
compared to a lot of other transmen for two reasons. 1. My body produces it at much higher levels then most
biological females and the common causes have been ruled out. 2. I have health issues which have resulted in my body not being
able to tolerate a continuous cycle of Testosterone.
While on Testosterone replacement therapy I am
prescribed the drug Testosterone Cypionate. While I am active I maintain a weekly injections of Cypionate at a dose of 125
Mg Per injection.
A genetic males Testosterone level varies anywhere between 200 And 900. My Testosterone levels without Testosterone
replacement averaged at the low end of normal males. While on Testosterone it averages near the top of the normal
male levels.
Due to being on Estrogen and Progesterone from
early teens I've had some big issues with lingering side effects/ damage. I have faith that my old Endo Doc was
correct when stating that some of this damage may be corrected with time.
I hope it at least ends up at a level that's
tolerable but it isn't looking like it is going to anytime soon. I am about to begin a battle with the insurance company in
an attempt to get them to cover a hysterectomy. I am coming up on 30 yrs old, having complications and am at high risk for
cancer due to a strong family history so hopefully they will not see fit to fight it too hard.
So now that I have covered Testosterone basics
I'll get into the symptoms I have experienced. Keep in mind that my experience with Testosterone is different then a
lot of transmen.
I often joke that by being on the Testosterone replacement therapy I have a better
understanding of what teenage boys go through when they reach puberty. The first thing I noticed physically was a major increase
in sex drive. And trust me when I say that it was the symptom that hit the fastest and was the most frustrating of all.
I already had an overactive sex drive and honestly did not believe it could get any
higher. I'd say within several hours of my first injection I began to feel a sense of sexual excitement that blew me away.
Although part of this may have been a result of emotional excitement that comes with that first injection, It was a physical
feeling that could not be ignored and had to be tended to immediately!! Ha!!
It got worse with each injection for several months. I do my injections every 7 days.
On day 5 or 6 the sexual tension would ease up, only for it to explode again a day or two later when I had my next injection.
It took a few years for this to settle down any.
I mean seriously I was looking at my pets in a whole different manner!! Thinking in my head "Here kitty kitty
kitty!!" Ha Ha!! I had went from desiring and or engaging in sexual activity a few times a week , to desiring it every second
of the day and engaging in it 2-4 times a day or more!! It was and still is pretty intense at times !!
Other symptoms that are normal with Testosterone replacement therapy include acne on the face, chest and back,
Increase in body hair on the face, chest, back, legs, arms and butt. A lot of transmen also have other symptoms, including
irritability, mood swings, aggression, and difficulty sleeping (probably because they can't stop thinking about or engaging
in sexual activity!! Ha!!)
There are some transmen that don't have the emotional type symptoms. I personally have had none of the emotional
symptoms, with the exception of sleeping issues while actively on Testosterone and I have already describes the issue with
that. I will say that during times that I have had to stop the Testosterone to let my body recover I do end up with all of
those symptoms and then some. It is not pretty at all!
Another symptom that will likely affect any biological female taking Testosterone at the doses given to transmen
Is the cessation of the menstrual cycles. I personally believe this would be the most popular symptom along side of facial
hair growth for most Transman.
Also a big plus for Testosterone replacement therapy is the ability to gain a whole lot of muscle and very
quickly. The fat on the body will be redistributed to areas of the body where fat is most typical for biological males.
