#gaht

[genderqueerpositivity]

CW: testosterone therapy, periods, physical changes from HRT

Earlier this year, I'd reached a point where I was wondering if I'd already seen all of the benefits and changes from testosterone therapy that I could possibly receive. It really seemed like everything had come to a halt as far as changes from HRT go.

Worse, what started as random spotting and painful cramping (which I originally blamed on really high stress) eventually became full blown periods, and this went on for months. At one point, it really felt like I wasn't even on T anymore. I blamed myself, because I would occasionally be late or forget to apply my testosterone cream. I thought that the bleeding, the inconsistent T levels, and the lack of progress was my own fault.

And then, I had to switch compounding pharmacies. And every single one of my problems disappeared within two weeks of starting the first tube of cream from the new pharmacy.

Nothing else has changed. Not my dose, nor where I apply it. I still forget and apply a few hours late sometimes, other times I miss a day entirely.

But the periods and cramping haven't returned. And I'm beginning to see small changes here and there again. I have to trim my ear and nose hairs now; I have more chest hair than ever before. It's time to face the fact that testosterone has made me a bear lmao.

Point being, looking back I really think that the quality of the testosterone cream I was getting from that first compounding pharmacy was kind of suspect. Looking at reviews online from other people really confirmed my suspicion; many people claimed that the quality of the prescriptions they received was wildly inconsistent from month to month. Not to mention, more recent reviews seem to suggest that their business is going under entirely, and from my own experiences attempting (and failing) to get my prescriptions filled with them in a timely manner, I'm not surprised.

I don't often see a lot of posts from trans folks on testosterone who use compounded cream, so I want to put this out there for others to see. If you're struggling to maintain consistent T levels, don't rule out the quality of your prescription as a possible cause. Make sure that the compounding pharmacy you're getting your T from is reputable and has good reviews.

[intersexfairy]

I scheduled an appt at the gender clinic!! Im gonna trans my gender!!

[neuroticboyfriend]

lemme get this straight... so trans people shouldn't be allowed gender affirming care and at best need to do gymnastics to "justify"why they should get hormone therapy... but a psychiatrist can put someone on a medication that was originally described as a "chemical lobotomy" (antipsychotics), after only talking to them once... whether they like it or not. oh and also they don't tell patients about the dangerous long term side effects of that. sounds great to me. there's totally nothing wrong with the health system and societal views towards marginalized people and autonomy.

[half-assed-ascent]

Hey folks. Having an argument with a friend over whether there is such a thing as a "common" experience for transgender people who are (or have previously been) on HRT/GAHT regarding sexual and/or romantic attraction. So I thought I'd ask the largest population of trans and otherwise queer people I can think of: Tumblr.

Personal anecdotes or details in the tags/replies very welcome. As always, reblog for sample size, etc.

Thank you!

[fruityracoons]

switching from T gel to injections for me was huge. i had a severe phobia of needles and couldn't even do blood work or vaccines without meltdowns, and now im able to do that kind of thing weekly! and i actually look forward to it. i kinda dreaded the gel. i have my sibling on the phone when i do it, and it helps provide a nice distraction and something else to look forward to too! (they're awesome)

point being, sometimes even if it seems like a worse route, sometimes it can be rewarding. not all choices have to be fixed. if you can, experiment! that's just my experience though :3

[frankencanon]

*HRT stands for Hormone Replacement Therapy, while GAHT stands for Gender Affirming Hormone Therapy.

-

Edit:

Yes, GAHT is a real thing.

To my understanding, GAHT specifically refers to the type of hormone therapy that's prescribed for trans reasons, while HRT is more of a broad term for any type of hormone therapy in general.

Online health services for trans peoples (such as Plume and FOLX) use the term GAHT in place of HRT (which is where I learnt of it).

[solstakao]

i don't throw away my estrogen tablet sheets. every time i finish one i stack another on top. the monolith grows

[transgenderteensurvivalguide]

I turn 18 next year and I’m not sure where I can get testosterone, I’ve looked at planned parenthood’s website but the only one in my state doesn’t offer hrt services 😭 do you have any advice on how to access hrt?

Lee says:

Happy (Very very) early birthday! If you're still a year away from being 18 you have plenty of time to figure this out.

You should start by talking to your primary care physician and ask if they are knowledgeable about gender-affirming care and are willing to prescribe you HRT themselves. If they are not experienced with HRT for gender-affirming reasons, ask them to look into it and refer you to a healthcare provider who is.

While you're waiting for your appointment (often it can be at least a month away even if you schedule the first available date) use that time wisely and go out into the world (And internet) and talk to people! There must be at least ONE other trans person in your state who is on hormones, right? You just have to find ONE other trans person in your state who is on hormones (and trust me-- there's more than just one trans person on hormones in your state! But all you need is one person), then find out where they're getting their prescription from!

Online platforms can be a great resource for shared experiences and advice so I'd just start by googling "transgender [insert hormone name] in [insert state]" until you find the right key terms. You might also be able to find something on Reddit or through Facebook groups.

Additionally, going to trans support groups and meeting people there and asking your trans friends to ask their friends, etc can all be a good way to find a provider through word-of-mouth.

Another thing you can try is contacting LGBTQ+ centers or organizations in your state and seeing if they have any recommendations. Even if Planned Parenthood's local branch doesn't offer HRT services, they may have a lists of trans-friendly healthcare providers or clinics that do, so it could still be worth reaching out to them.

If you're planning on attending college or university, check if the campus health center provides HRT or can refer you to local resources that do. Some college health centers offer comprehensive services for transgender students, but unfortunately most do not.

Many healthcare providers now offer telehealth services for transgender patients looking to start or continue HRT. These services can be particularly helpful if you live in an area with limited access to transgender healthcare. Providers like Folx Health, Plume, and QueerDoc offer gender-affirming care to patients in many states, all through telehealth platforms.

There's more info on starting hormones in this post, and you should take a look at that too.

Finally, I'm guessing that you don't have much experience with adulting which is fine because everyone starts somewhere! I was in the same position as you once. I also started to look into starting T when I was 17 and got everything ready (appointments scheduled for after my birthday, letter of support since it wasn't fully informed consent, lab work done the month before I was 18, etc), but didn't actually start hormones until I was 18.

Everyone has a different path through life, but this may be your first time scheduling doctor's appointments for yourself, signing up for a patient portal, getting your own health insurance (unless your parents support you being on HRT and wouldn't boot your off of their coverage), paying for appointment and prescription and lab work copays, etc.

Since you have a year until you're actually 18, it would be a good idea to start getting prepped for your first dive into the healthcare system as a legal-adult-even-if-it-doesn't-always-feel-that-way and google the basics of having and using health insurance. There's a lot of words you're going to need to learn one day (what's a deductible vs an out of pocket maximum vs an allowed amount etc) and this is as good of a time as any to start learning some of those basics (The advanced level is learning how to appeal denied claims, etc).

You got this anon! You're clearly on the right track by starting to investigate the process of starting HRT in advance, and remember that starting HRT as an adult also comes with adult responsibilities like figuring out how to pay for it! When you're thinking through the logistics of finding an in-network prescriber, don't forget to budget for those things too.

Followers, any tips for anon?

[perfidious-prophet]

The fucking things they dont tell you when you fucking start Testosterone.

Yeah, everybody knows about the deeper voice and the dreaded asshair, but these were my unfunny little surprises after 3 months on T. Reminder that shit will always vary from person to person because we're not all clones of each other, whatever.

1. Bottom growth fucking hurts. Sometimes I don't want to wear pants. I knew it would happen, didn't know it'd be so uncomfortable. And it starts fast. Like first dose fast.

2. The irritability goes fucking CRAZY it's like I'm constantly PMSing. I get why dudes punch walls. Oh my god. I know how to keep my anger wraps, but holy shit.

3. On the topic of PMSing. I had temporary worsening of menstrual cramps. Jesus fuck. I was having pain before menstruation started for days, and sometimes just randomly. I hope it doesn't flare up, but it seems to be calming down now. I think my body is freaking out over weird hormone levels.

4. Vocal fatigue. Talking hurts. I expected voice cracks, obviously, but why the fuck does this shit hurt? I don't even want to talk that much anymore. My voice just gives out. It's still deepening, so a win is a win, I guess.

5. Apathy, emptiness, anhedonia, and numbness. My motivation has tanked. I don't fucking care anymore. I just want people to leave me alone so I can take a nap. I already had mental issues before starting T, and I don't think T gave this to me, but it's definitely changed how I feel my mental illnesses. I have to like relearn how to cope and shit. I don't recommend starting hormones if you're an emotionally unstable dumbass like myself. This is literally second puberty, mood swings and teen angst included. I am a volatile, angry little man.

6. Anxiety. Like I said, teen angst. My panic attacks now include intense nausea, which is New and Uncool. Dunno why that happened. But I'm just nervous. There's nothing to be nervous about. I consistently feel like I've forgotten to do homework. I am not even in school anymore. Rad!

7. Psychosis? I had my first intense psychotic break at 14. It lasted 6 months, give or take. I've had shorter episodes on and off since then. My symptoms are stress based. The emotional strain is, naturally, pushing me towards the edge again. I am sure I will explode brilliantly and violently within the weeks to come.

8. Male loneliness is real dudes. Have friends.

9. It's harder to mask. I've been periodically going mute again. I'd never really stopped, but it's more frequent now.

Anyway that's my rant I think.

I'm not telling you not to do hormones. I'm not your dad. But it's not fucking easy. Anyway I have no intention of stopping. I am thuggin that shit out. I had a really really tough time during first puberty, and I suspect I'm going to have issues the second time around.

I am happy with the changes I am experiencing physically. I still feel confident and sure of my identity as a trans man. I am just not very happy about losing control over my mental state again. We'll see how it goes. If I'm lucky, I'll get medicated. I can't afford a therapist right now.

Good luck out there, whoever you are.

[sensible-tips]

Testosterone Thursday-9 Myths about T

Dispelling common myths surround HRT you may have heard or come to believe yourself.

[aqueousablution]

(July 2023) The only E-tank I need

Original post body under the cut:

(Just kidding I'm bad at Mega Man and need the normal type too, oh god oof ouch ow my ceramic titanium)

#Made in honor of my E dose going up to 4mg :3c

[genderqueerpositivity]

After Mississippi banned his hormone shots, an 8-hour journey

Katie had done all she could to prepare for this trip. She’d asked a relative to pick up her two younger boys from school. She’d researched how to change a tire, and she’d spent hours on Google Maps, searching for the closest Walgreens in Alabama. She’d finally found a destination in Thomasville, a rural town nearly 200 miles from their suburban Mississippi home, but much remained unclear. Would they make it by noon for Ray’s telehealth appointment? Would the pharmacy give him testosterone?

Katie looked at her boy, a thin 17-year-old with wavy hair and an easy grin, and she asked herself the question that had begun to matter least: Was she breaking the law?

Two months earlier, Mississippi had banned transgender young people, like Ray, from accessing hormones or other gender-transition treatments. By mid-spring, nearly half the country had passed similar bills, according to the Movement Advancement Project, and now, 1 in 3 trans children lives in a state with a ban. Conservative lawmakers said they’d pushed the bills to protect young people, but Katie felt like they’d done the opposite. Testosterone had allowed her son to embody himself for the first time. Ray was present, happy. The ban would take that happiness away.

Across the country, families were doing everything they could to protect their trans children. Some uprooted their lives in red states for the promise of protections in blue ones. Others filed lawsuits. Katie couldn’t afford to move, and she needed a solution faster than the courts could offer, so she’d settled on a cheaper, quicker plan: She’d take a day off from her nursing job, and she and Ray would travel out of state for his medical care.

No one should have to go to these lengths just to access what is essentially basic life-saving heath care.

Also, major shout out to QMed and Dr. Lowell and the Southern Trans Youth Emergency Project for the work that they are doing to help trans youth and adults in red states access gender affirming care.

[intersexfairy]

shoutout to people who binding or taping just does not work for, no matter what they do. this can be from the chest being big, from the tissue being too dense to flatten down, or both.

you're not a failure for not being able to do this. your body is not morally wrong. you're not disgusting. you're not a freak. you're not some object to oggle at. you're a whole person, and your gender will always be valid because that's part of who you are. nothing can change that.

you're allowed to wear what makes you happy, and go on HRT if you want to. you're allowed to accept yourself as you are now, and i don't mean minimizing your struggle or giving up. i mean accepting that you can't change this part of your body right now, holding hope that better days will come, and learning to be kind to yourself despite everything.

you can't hate yourself into feeling better about yourself or your body. you are allowed to love yourself, as much as you can. you do not have to be like the skinny, small/flat chested people you see so often. you can be you, and you don't have to do this alone. you are loved. ♡

[sleepycatten]

Offer for any trans person struggling to access gender-affirming hormone therapy on prescription

For many trans folks, especially in the UK, access to gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT) requires years of waiting and gatekeeping. Even when it's provided, it may be titrated or limited, rather than being provided in full, due to further gatekeeping and bad medical practice.

As such, I would like to advise that my DMs are always open to any trans person who wants to access GAHT as cheaply, quickly, and safely as possible without a prescription or gatekeeping.

For those who do not feel comfortable messaging me here or want to read more about HRT science, I recommend the following resources:

https://transfemscience.org/ - trans fem and non-binary fem

https://diyhrt.info/ - info on fem and masc HRT

https://www.reddit.com/r/TransDIY/wiki/index/

I have a pinned thread on my account in the fediverse (currently a Mastodon instance), which contains further resources and information:

https://cultofshiv.wtf/@SleepyCatten/109847558139671842

I spend most of my time in the fediverse, but I will look back regularly for questions here.

[fraye-complex]

Boy Time!Boy Time!Boy Time!Boy Time!Boy Time!

It's finally fucking here!!!