Male Hormones???

[Ryan]

For those lucky brothers out there that are taking hormones already (if any) or anyone else that might know. I was wondering what types there are. Obviously most just call it testosterone, but are there different sorts, like the females seem to have loads of different types and ways to take theirs.

Also do we just get injections every so often or are there pills, patches or implants etc, and how many times a week, month etc do we need it. I have only really heard of injections, nothing else. Not that it bothers me being jabbed, lol. Also what about dosage, whats a good dosage to be on, or how high should our levels be, and maybe what are they before we start???

[Dasein9]

I'm just starting to look into this myself. I don't know about types of T, but do know it comes in a shot or a gel. (The doc told me there are other methods, but they don't really work.) The gel costs a great deal more than the shot every two weeks.

Friends tell me that they start you off at a very low dosage, and then work their way up. Everyone's body works differently, so they've got to make sure that there are no terrible side effects. Also, it's not a good idea to shock the system with too much in the way of hormones all at once.

The worst thing, according to the doc I saw on Wednesday, is that we don't know very much about T at all. There just hasn't been much research, so we're all guinea pigs. Some of the side effects include high blood pressure and increased aggression. Some of the benefits include lower chances of certain cancers and not having a period. And the facial hair and body fat redistribution, of course!

[dancinginthedark]

Begging your pardon capt but I gotta'...

ummmmmmmm there is a thread in the transsexual section started some months back <I just found it myself yesterday> about someone near and dear to us. Just follow the link. I haven't done a lot of reading in this section but I assume there will be some more information to be found there for the FTM guys if you would like to do a search there. I dunno yet.

The captain's log can be found here:

http://crossdressers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=31117


dancin

[durden]

These 2 pages here might be helpful to you:

http://www.ftmguide.org/ttherapybasics.html

http://www.ftmguide.org/ttypes.html

I've been on T for about 3 months myself. I'm taking the injectable kind. I give [well, my ex does it for me] myself a shot every 2 weeks. My dosage is 100cc. I'm meeting w/my doctor next month to see how my progress is. He'll be checking my levels & things like that. I know I'm on a low dosage, so there might be a possibility of it being raised. But honestly, I'm happy w/the changes that I've got going on so far. Seems to be rolling along just fine in my opinion.

Have you talked to anyone yet about getting on hormones? Or are you just doing your research?

[Ryan]

I havent spoken to anyone yet, but my first appointment at CXH is in Jan so will probably talk about it then, as the second appointment is when you usually get prescribed your hormones!

[CaptLex]

I agree with everything Das said. From what I understand, the shots are easier to produce, so they're a lot cheaper - and usually more effective. I understand the gel can be a problem if you don't wash it off your hands completely and then touch other areas, and it takes longer to see the effects (but if you really hate needles . . . ). It's also true that we still are guinea pigs. I just don't think there's enough research (if there is any at all) being done to give us the answers we need. That's why we have to give ourselves the answers by sharing our experiences.

Good luck with your first appointment next month, Ryan. :thumbsup:

Thanks for mentioning my log, Dancin . . . if I ever get my book published (I've been promising since I was 13), I'll have to hire you as my publicist. :hugs:

[pocoyo]

*already an avid follower of the captain's log!*

[Felix]

I'm so pleased ya have stayed with us Ryan and gettin the support ya deserve and need :hugs: As for me yeah I have thought about it and have thought about different types. I was wondering about herbal ones only so the affects wouldn't be so dramatic and then my parents might not notice too much but I would know so psychologically it might be good for me. Does anyone know about herbal ones here?? Good luck Ryan and lets know how ya go! xx Felix :hugs: