good T versus bad T

[helenr]

With apologies to any F to M readers who use artificial testosterone for their objectives, I want to share my 2 cents on how T and I get along. I have been transgendered for at least 55 of my 61 years. I have gained insight to how my mind and work interact with the benefit of spiro the past 18 months.
I find that I am freed of the stress related to sexual 'addiction' in the form of fetish crossdressing, masturbation,etc. Spiro has killed my sexual libido and this has eliminated this nasty effect of T , as I perceive it.
I don't know why, but I haven't had negative effects, or I don't think I have had any, in terms of muscle mass (other than what one gets as you pass 40). I exercise regularly on resistence machine to maintain core strenght. I want to keep healthy bones,etc. So I perceive that T has some benefits like this.
I love women but don't want to associate sexual thoughts with them. I do not condemn any others who have this wish. It might have been nice to have a good relationship with a highly sexual woman, but I never have found one. Frustration isn't fun and spiro helps me keep matters in perspective. I don't want to go for SRS or can risk growing breasts more than I already have thanks to the anti androgens.
I think many older men past breeding years would be healthier without the damages T causes to the prostate,etc. I wonder if others have ideas, opinions on this topic. Clearly I am not a research scientist and am only wishing to express my reactions to spiro as it relates to T. best to you all,helen

[Alan]

Not actually being on T, I'm not sure how much I can say... although, come to think of it, my T levels are already insanely high for a female-bodied person.

My only point is that since FTMs don't have prostates, T can't affect it negatively. /shrug.

I'm wondering if you feel better without T because you're transgendered and therefore don't feel like you should have any in your system anyway. I get along the same way with the estrogen in my system. :idontknow:

[helenr]

Hi, thanks for the comments. I will have to have new blood tests done to see just what my levels are. maybe I took the wrong test? maybe one needs a specific test to understand what is happening to my body. take care, helen

[Empress Lainie]

Helen, I have only taken saw palmetto for 18 years, and recently added other phyto-estrogens to help grow my breasts faster, red clover and fenugreek also flaxseed oil.

I originally took it because I wanted to not have benign prostate enlargement in later years. Little did I know at the time it was a phyto-estrogen, and in 1997 I noticed I was getting real breasts. At that time I still (silly me) didn't know I was really a female person. Wasn't until July 2, 2007 that happened.

I have noticed besides increased breast growth, a nearly cessation of libido, inability to orgasm most of the time.

I noticed just now after running out of saw palmetto for about a week, my libido returned , replenished my supply today so I expect a return to decreased L.

Of the tgirls I know on hrt it was unanimous among 12 of them that we all had no sex drive anymore. I was the only one on phyto-estrogens, the others were taking Tblockers and estrogen via shots weekly.

[Melissa A.]

I am starting HRT in October. I do look forward to all the physical changes that will eventually occur, But I am somewhat desperate for the emotional changes that I know effect everyone a little differently. One of those is the reduction of the sexual edge. I hate being aroused physically, like a man as much as I dislike my equipment. I hate having to release that sexual energy. The elimination of that need will improve the quality of my life quite a bit, I believe. Full time isnt for another year or so, which often makes it hard for me to relax and sit still, especially when I have to present as male. But from everything I've heard and read, the emotional effects of t-blockers, and estrogen make it all a little easier, and somewhat more peaceful and relaxing. Can't wait.

Hugs,

Melissa:)

[Anna the Dub]

I am starting HRT in October. I do look forward to all the physical changes that will eventually occur, But I am somewhat desperate for the emotional changes that I know effect everyone a little differently. One of those is the reduction of the sexual edge. I hate being aroused physically, like a man as much as I dislike my equipment. I hate having to release that sexual energy. The elimination of that need will improve the quality of my life quite a bit, I believe. Full time isnt for another year or so, which often makes it hard for me to relax and sit still, especially when I have to present as male. But from everything I've heard and read, the emotional effects of t-blockers, and estrogen make it all a little easier, and somewhat more peaceful and relaxing. Can't wait.

Hugs,

Melissa:)

Yes, I do too. I had an orchiedectomy some years ago as I had to come off T blockers because I got a DVT. When I was having the op done, I was told by the surgeon that within a few months I wouldn't be able to get an erection at all. Yippee, I thought. Well, here I am years later and I still get them. My sex drive is diminished but it is still there. I asked the endocrinologist why do I still get them, surely it should be atrophied by now, and he said that that doesn't happen to everyone and that only about 50% completely lose their sex drive. So, don't be too shocked if the results are not what you expect, as everyone is different. Oh, and I should say that my T level at my last blood test was the average level for a woman of my age, and yet I still get those horrible erections.

[lisa_vin]

Hi Helen! I realize that I'm in the wrong forum here but I thought you might like to hear another perspective on "T". I'm afraid it's T & me for the rest of my life. I have a T problem most M to F would probably love to have.....my body stopped producing it a few years ago but the effects were devastating. I lost all libido, no energy, endless fatigue and degenerating health overall. Now, if I was wanting to transition to F, I could just skip the T blocking treatments and go right on over to full F treatments. Alas, I'm just a humble CD so I had to start T replacement injections every two weeks. Been doing that now for a couple years now.....feel better although libido still missing.....but side effects of thinning hair on my head while growing more hair in places I don't want it. (LOL)
The doctor said it's a life sentence (if I want to stay male and feel less crappy, that is) so........here I am.

As a side note, I did get to experience the full effect of the male version of menopause (called andropause) complete with all the hot flashes, mood swings and most of the other fun stuff the GG's get to go through. And, as an added attraction, I've been diagnosed with fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome and chronic Epstein-Barr virus......all diseases/syndromes that are a 10 to 1 ratio more associated with females than males.

As I said, I'm just a humble CD with a strong femme side but I do sometimes seriously wonder if I wasn't meant to be born female and nature played a hilarious trick on me at the very last moment!

Gentle hugs,
Lisa

[morgan pure]

Lisa,
You do have a problem. But I think you're right. You may have been played a trick on by nature. It's better for kids now, especially in liberal cities. I've met many kids downtown who were accepted by their parents and friends and started their hormones early, and never developed male musculature or faces and didn't even need electrolysis. Ah, to be young again and know what I know now.
As for T, it's all a matter of the numbers. Everyone needs some. The trans girls I used to know wanted to be butch. Was it cultural or hormonal?
Morgan