Testosterone therapy can be considered as a cornerstone treatment option for transgender men who opt to undergo it.
In these cases, the goal of the testosterone treatments is to reach male reverence range serum level testosterone concentrations because it helps reach several desired effects.
Transgender men use testosterone to achieve increased body and facial hair, lean muscle mass, strength, decreased body fat levels, voice deepening, increased sex drive, etc.
However, is testosterone therapy beneficial for men only? Or can transgender men equally profit from its effects? If yes, how?
Let’s find out.
Patience
First of all, testosterone therapy does help transgender men in achieving the results they desire, however, those changes will take time. Genetics, age, the overall state of health, and initial hormonal levels will all play a role in when you will start noticing changes.
It can even take several years to see the full effects, so patience is key. Taking more than the recommended dosage is counter-productive since it could possibly lead to potential health problems.
Physical, Emotional, and Sexual Changes
The notable physical changes are the ones most patients wish to achieve with testosterone therapy. Weight redistribution increased muscle mass, decreased body fat levels, more pronounced hair growth will all happen slowly, however, it will take some time to get used to them.
Other shifts, like changes in the skin and facial features, are also a part of the process, and the latter can take up to two years to reach its final result.
Emotional changes will also occur as a part of the therapy. It can be compared to “second puberty”, meaning that an emotional roller coaster is bound to set off at some point during the therapy. Patients may find that they have a narrower range of feelings or emotions, also may develop different tastes, interests, and hobbies along with different behavioral patterns.
People who are in transition can highly benefit from psychotherapy so you should consider it as an option if you find it hard to cope with these emotional changes.
Sexual changes will mostly impact the libido and the clitoris (the latter will begin to grow and even get larger when you’re sexually aroused). Also, orgasms might feel different (they will be more focused on the genital area, instead of the entire body) along with developing different sexual preferences and even bodily sources of pleasure.
With testosterone therapy, the reproductive system changes too, meaning periods can be either lighter, shorter, or even heavier. It’s also harder to become pregnant during therapy, however, it does not eliminate the risk completely.
Risks
As therapy progresses, patients become more and more prone to health problems that are otherwise more commonly associated with men. Diabetes, heart disease, high cholesterol, and blood pressure may become potential problems.
Male-pattern baldness can also be a risk along with others that you should discuss with your doctor before starting your treatment and during,
The Takeaway
As with every treatment, there are benefits and potential risks. Testosterone therapy can help transgender men to achieve the male characteristics they are looking for, however, this should be done with the help of a professional who can monitor every step of the way.
The changes will be slow and might even take years to take full effect. As such, it’s important to monitor every change to rule out possible problems and irregularities.
Lastly, these changes aren’t purely physical. The psychological effects of testosterone therapy can also be a bit difficult to get used to, but with the right help, it won’t be a huge obstacle.
For more info on dosages, administration, benefits, keep browsing in our blog, we have plenty of useful topics that will answer your questions. If not, feel free to reach out to us, we are always ready to help.