I started testosterone today!

[Valeria]

My doctor has given me several sample boxes of testosterone gel (enough to last for months at my current dosage), so we can see how well it works for me. We are going to test my hormonal blood levels in about 6 weeks to see how it is working (my endo said it would take that long for the blood serum levels to reach steady-state).

The product I've been given is Testim 1%. It has 50 mg of testosterone per 5 g tube. The directions say that guys normally use 1 or 2 tubes per day. I'm using much less than that. :)

This means I'm now on estradiol valerate (estrogen) injections, progesterone gel capsules, and testosterone gel (and last year, I took something to boost prolactin levels for about 8 months, in order to induce lactation when our baby was born). I'm like a walking sex hormone laboratory. I'm not even sure how much effect this is going to have (because of my androgen insensitivity), but I guess I'll find out.

I'd love to hear from any of the guys who are on T, especially if they are using gel. I'm interested in dosage levels, how much it has boosted their T levels, and any general suggestions about application. I don't have as much gel to put on as you guys, so I think that part's a little less inconvenient for me. Have any of you had any sort of skin reaction to the gel? My skin is hypersensitive. For instance, I can't use estradiol patches or wear medical tape without a reaction, and I'm extremely allergic to most brands of lipstick (other than Clinique or Neutrogena).

I almost posted this in the transmasculine section, because I really want feedback from men with experience with T - but a girl taking T posting there would have seemed weird and I didn't want to offend. Plus, I thought some of the other trans females might be interested, or have questions.

FWIW, it's hard to describe the feeling I have about applying the stuff. It seems almost naughty - like tasting forbidden fruit. :p

I told one of my friends (another lesbian woman) I'd been to the doctor and had a secret. Her first guess (based on it being related to hormones) was that I was pregnant! When I gave her more hints (about it being a sex hormone, and not something she'd expect), she jokingly asked if I was FTM. Okay, she's not the best guesser, but I was amused... :p

[PS: It is just wrong how much easier it is for a female to get testosterone if she doesn't identify as male than if he does. :sad: ]

[CaptLex]

Sorry, I can't give you info on the gel 'cause I've never used it - only injections. But I'm curious, or did I miss it somewhere? Why did the doc put you on T?

I can only imagine what it must feel like to put the "wrong" hormones in your body. That must be weird.

Hey, maybe you are FtM after all. . . kidding. ;)

[Kieron Andrew]

But I'm curious, or did I miss it somewhere? Why did the doc put you on T?

i think i missed something too? why have you been put on T?

[Valeria]

i think i missed something too? why have you been put on T?
Well, as y'all know, I'm post-op - which means my primary sources of T have been removed. The adrenal glands are also supposed to produce T, but (possibly because of the amount of E in my system) mine aren't too enthusiastic. So my testosterone levels are currently "undetectable".

Actually, even pre-op, HRT did a real number on my testosterone. Before I started HRT, my testosterone level was a little over 400 ng/dL. My endo started me slowly on HRT (gradually ramping up), and we checked my hormone levels 2 months after I'd started. My T level had dropped to 5 ng/dL, which is waaay below female norms. Most people don't react that strongly and rapidly.

So I've had microscopic testosterone levels for years now. Plus, my body doesn't react very strongly to T. So, ummm, yeah. Bluntly put, I'm weak as a kitten (my life partner has to open jars for me), and my sex drive could be a bit stronger. Sorry for not making that clearer before, but it's not the sort of thing one likes to admit.

It's not as weird as it sounds. Natal females sometimes get prescribed T sometimes for the same reasons (usually by fertility clinics). It's currently an off-label use, but drug companies are currently in the process of testing T gels on women so they can get FDA approval for that use (and then market it as a drug for enhanced sex drive in women).

I actually know of other post-ops that take T, for similar reasons. In the other forum I frequent (with a lot more transitioning and transitioned women), two other post-ops that take T have already responded to my thread on this subject - one of them with her dosing history (and a few other details about the experience). Very cool.

One of the other women is taking Estratest - a product containing both estrogen and testosterone. It's marketed to post-menopause women as a drug that can improve libido, reduce hot flashes, and improve bone density.

So it happens sometimes. Just not usually, and I think most people don't want to talk about it. Trans issues aside, what woman wants to admit she's taking testosterone?

[Kieron Andrew]

which is waaay below female norms.Ah ok, that makes sense, sorry wasnt thinking about that side of things :heehee:


Sorry for not making that clearer before, but it's not the sort of thing one likes to admit.thats ok it makes sense, if I had thought about it lol


It's not as weird as it sounds. Natal females sometimes get prescribed T sometimes for the same reasons (usually by fertility clinics). Its not weird at all IMO :D

[deja true]

Ah, Kehleyr!, Please pardon my interruption, but I had to tell you this.

You and a few other women here have educated me in the best possible way over the past few months.

I'm grateful for your bravery and sensitivity and erudition.

Please, please take care of yourself. For your partner and for us. We all need you.

respect & love ( in all of their meanings),

deja

[Nicki B]

Be honest - you're just trying to make the boys jealous.. ;)

[Valeria]

I can only imagine what it must feel like to put the "wrong" hormones in your body. That must be weird.
It felt incredibly weird! But I'm just trying to get my hormonal levels closer to "normal". Progesterone partly solves my libido issues (without it, I have virtually no sex drive), but there are still potential benefits...


Hey, maybe you are FtM after all. . . kidding. ;)
Well, I have been tempted to dress up as a drag king someday... :)

Anyway, the other observation I was trying to make was that for me to get prescribed T, all I had to do was mention my issues to my endo. Within 5 minutes, he was handing me boxes of T gel. It's so unfair, compared to the hoops that trans guys have to jump through to get T, or trans girls have to jump through to get E.

[Valeria]

Be honest - you're just trying to make the boys jealous.. ;)
:p

Well, since I was already on estrogen before I joined this forum, I've never gotten to post "I started hormones!" here before... :)

[Kieron Andrew]

:p

Well, since I was already on estrogen before I joined this forum, I've never gotten to post "I started hormones!" here before... :)

aww feeling left out? :heehee::hugs:

[CaptLex]

It's not as weird as it sounds. Natal females sometimes get prescribed T sometimes for the same reasons (usually by fertility clinics). It's currently an off-label use, but drug companies are currently in the process of testing T gels on women so they can get FDA approval for that use (and then market it as a drug for enhanced sex drive in women).

I actually know of other post-ops that take T, for similar reasons. In the other forum I frequent (with a lot more transitioning and transitioned women), two other post-ops that take T have already responded to my thread on this subject - one of them with her dosing history (and a few other details about the experience). Very cool.
Makes perfect sense to me . . . and thanks for exploding the seemingly-prevalent myth that all testosterone is "poison" and should be eliminated from everyone's system. :)

[Valeria]

thanks for exploding the seemingly-prevalent myth that all testosterone is "poison" and should be eliminated from everyone's system. :)
My pleasure! :)

I'm just happy to have not been deemed a heretic. :p

Anyway, my whole hormone regime has been centered around being as bioidentical as possible. I take estradiol instead of Premarin, because human females don't have equilin (horse estrogen) in their body (also, I'm morally opposed to the way the mares get treated). I take Prometrium (progesterone) instead of any of the many synthetic progestins, because again, that's what occurs naturally in female bodies. Females also have testosterone, typically in greater quantities than I do, so I view this addition as being entirely consistent with my desire to duplicate the endocrine system of other females as closely as possible. I don't want excessively high testosterone, but overly low testosterone is bad too.

Of course, I'm still as nervous about taking testosterone as a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs... :p

[kittypw GG]

My pleasure! :)

I take estradiol instead of Premarin, because human females don't have equilin (horse estrogen) in their body (also, I'm morally opposed to the way the mares get treated).
. :p

:lol:

This just struck me funny bone today on a couple of levels. Thanks I needed that. :heehee:

I don't have any expirence personally with the T-gel but I have a couple of friends who use it and it has done wonders for their lives. I have not had them mention that they got any sort of rash or that it caused any irritation.
I would be interested in knowing the answer to this as well. I am close to and would probably be considered pre-menapausal and will have to face some of these issues myself. I also have a sensitivity to tapes and sented soaps and such.

Thanks for bringing this issues up for discussion. It sounds like you are in good hands medically. Let us know how it works for you.

:hugs: Kitty

[KrazyKat]

Congrats to you, Kehleyr, for your "First" thread!!:heehee:

Thanks for the info, I have heard of natal women taking T.
Wishing you the best and quick and easy stabilization of hormones!!:love:

[Janet Nicola]

As a confirmed MTF you can have all of my testosterone for free!