#hormonal therapy for men

[fanzines]

'Transfem DIY HRT' and 'Transmasc DIY HRT' are a pair of zines aimed at teaching transgender people how to safely self-administer DIY Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT).

Both zines are 100% free to download here from Little Mouse (who also made the zine). Print, share and distribute to those who need it!

The information contained in this zine is collated from, and openly available from, DIYHRT.info.

[mattbenhews]

What Causes Male Infertility? 10 Common Reasons Explained

 When it comes to infertility, the focus often falls on women, but male infertility is just as significant and affects millions of men worldwide. In fact, about one in every five couples struggling with infertility may have a male factor contributing to the challenge. Let’s dive into the 10 most common causes of male infertility. Whether you’re seeking answers for yourself or someone close to you, understanding these causes is the first step toward finding solutions.

1. Low Sperm Count (Oligospermia)

A low sperm count is one of the most common causes of male infertility. Normal sperm count ranges from 15 million sperm per milliliter to over 200 million. If a man has fewer than 15 million sperm per milliliter, the chances of conception decrease significantly. Low sperm count can be caused by hormonal imbalances, genetic factors, or environmental exposures.

2. Poor Sperm Motility (Asthenozoospermia)

Sperm motility refers to the ability of sperm to swim efficiently toward an egg. Poor sperm motility is another leading cause of male infertility. If the sperm cannot swim effectively, they may struggle to reach and fertilize the egg, reducing the chances of conception. This can result from lifestyle choices, infections, or structural issues in the reproductive organs.

3. Abnormal Sperm Morphology (Teratozoospermia)

Sperm morphology is the study of the size and shape of sperm. Sperm with abnormal morphology (irregular shape or size) can have difficulty reaching and penetrating an egg. This condition may be linked to genetic factors, environmental toxins, or certain health conditions such as diabetes.

4. Varicocele

A varicocele is the enlargement of veins within the scrotum, similar to varicose veins that occur in the legs. It can interfere with the temperature regulation of the testicles, causing sperm production to decrease. Varicoceles are found in about 15% of the general male population but can be responsible for up to 40% of cases of male infertility.

5. Erectile Dysfunction (ED)

Erectile dysfunction, the inability to achieve or maintain an erection sufficient for sexual intercourse, can significantly impact fertility. While ED does not directly affect sperm quality, it hinders the physical ability to ejaculate during intercourse. Causes of ED include psychological factors, health conditions (e.g., diabetes), or side effects from medications.

6. Testicular Ailments (Infections or Injury)

Infections such as epididymitis, orchitis, and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can impact sperm production and function. Testicular injuries or surgeries can also damage sperm-producing cells, leading to infertility. Conditions like mumps, if contracted after puberty, can also affect the testicles and lead to permanent infertility.

7. Hormonal Imbalances

Hormones play a crucial role in sperm production. An imbalance in hormones like testosterone, thyroid hormone, or prolactin can disrupt the production of sperm. Conditions such as hypogonadism (low testosterone levels), obesity, or pituitary gland problems can lead to hormonal imbalances that affect male fertility.

8. Genetic Factors

Genetics can significantly influence male fertility. Conditions such as Klinefelter syndrome (an extra X chromosome), Y-chromosome microdeletions, or cystic fibrosis can lead to infertility. In some cases, genetic abnormalities affect the production or function of sperm, while in others, they affect the structure of the reproductive organs.

9. Lifestyle Factors

Smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, recreational drug use, and poor diet can all decrease sperm quality. Regular physical activity is essential for maintaining overall health, but excessive exercise or heat exposure (such as frequent use of saunas or hot tubs) may negatively impact sperm production.

10. Environmental and Occupational Factors

Exposure to environmental toxins and chemicals, such as pesticides, heavy metals, or industrial chemicals, can impair sperm production. Men working in occupations involving exposure to toxic substances, such as welding or chemical manufacturing, may have a higher risk of infertility. Similarly, radiation and prolonged exposure to high temperatures can also decrease sperm count and quality.

Early intervention, lifestyle changes, and medical treatments are often effective in overcoming male infertility. For those looking for expert care, Prashanth IVF offers the best treatment options for male fertility, with a team of specialists dedicated to providing personalized, cutting-edge solutions.

[our-ftm-experience]

A brief guide to Testosterone HRT

If you’d like the one for Estrogen HRT, ask in the comments and you shall receive.

Image from the Transpeak Discord - unsure of actual source (a clinic?) (if anyone knows, please tell!)

Alternate text under the cut

Alt:

What is the goal of testosterone therapy?

Testosterone has two main jobs: It causes masculinizing changes to occur throughout the body, and it suppresses the production of estrogen. Some of the changes caused by testosterone are permanent (they would remain if testosterone was stopped), and other changes are reversible.

How is testosterone administered?

Testosterone is available as injections, cream, or gel. Injections are administered either every two weeks intramuscularly (into the muscle) or every week subcutaneously (under the skin). Nursing staff provides injection training here at clinic. Creams and gels are absorbed through the skin and applied daily.

What are the irreversible effects of testosterone?

Testosterone causes voice deepening, clitoral growth, body/facial hair growth, and sometimes male-pattern balding (also influenced by age and genetics). Testosterone may irreversibly affect fertility. Desires for fertility should be considered prior to starting hormones, and for those seeking fertility preservation (or education about fertility preservation), referrals can be made to Lurie’s fertility preservation team.

What are some of the reversible effects of testosterone?

Testosterone causes increased muscle tone, fat redistribution (hips to stomach area), skin oiliness and acne. Mood changes (often irritability, having a “shorter fuse”) and heightened sex drive may occur. Menstrual cycles will change and eventually stop after some time. There may be genital changes caused by low estrogen levels.

What are some of the known side effects and risks of testosterone?

Testosterone may increase your metabolic risk profile — that is, the risk for conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, high cholesterol or blood pressure. The risk for heart disease is higher for people who smoke cigarettes, are overweight or have a family history of heart disease.

Testosterone causes hematocrit, the proportion of red blood cells in a volume of blood, to increase. This blood thickening, at high levels, can be life-threatening, causing stroke or a heart attack.

Testosterone can also cause increased appetite, headaches, and acne.

A low-detail diagram of the upper half of three bodies is displayed. From left to right, the bodies represent having been on testosterone for little to no time (a month or less), a medium amount of time (six to eight months) and a greater amount of time (a year or more).

The diagram is a visual representation of testosterone effects on the body. Hip mass shifts to the stomach area, The adam’s apple grows. Muscle mass grows and shoulders become broader. Facial and body hair grows on the arms, face, and assumably the legs not displayed in the image. The skin gets oily and acne appears on the face.

Testosterone affects: skin, muscle mass, body fat, body hair, voice change.

Increased skin oiliness and acne starts within 1-6 months of testosterone. Its complete effect can be within 1-2 years.

Increased muscle mass and strength starts within 6-12 months of testosterone. Its complete effect can be within 2-5 years. This effect is highly dependent on the amount of exercise one does.

Voice pitch deepening starts within 6-12 months of testosterone. Its complete effect can be within 1-2 years.

Body fat redistribution starts within 3-6 months of testosterone. Its complete effect can be within 2-5 years.

Facial and body hair growth starts within 6-12 months of testosterone. Its complete effect can be within 3-5 years.

Monthly periods stop within 2-6 months of testosterone.

Clitoral enlargement of 0.5 inches to 1 inch begins within 3-6 months of testosterone. Its complete effect can be within 1-2 years.

Male pattern hair loss starts when you have been on testosterone for over a year. Its complete effect date is variable. It depends on age and genetics, and can be minimal.

Sex drive also increases.

How do we monitor for safety?

Labs (bloodwork) are collected prior to starting hormones and every three months for the first year of treatment. In the second year, labs are checked every six months. Tests that are monitored include cholesterol, liver tests, hematocrit, and hormone levels. These labs can be drawn at Lurie’s or a local facility.

How quickly will changes develop?

Remember, it’s normal to want to see changes occur rapidly, but (just like in puberty) these changes take time! Most changes start to begin around 3-6 months after starting testosterone and take years to fully develop.

Will I look like my friend _____?

Remember, everyone experiences puberty differently. Factors other than testosterone (such as genes!) affect appearance. It’s impossible to predict exactly what changes will develop.

It’s important to take the prescribed dose of testosterone. Taking more increases health risks.

Always tell your health care provider if you have questions or concerns about your health.

[actualalivecreature]

stop associating testosterone with only men and estrogen with only women. thanks.

[fella-lovin-fella]

i <3 hrt

[prismalmelonman]

So much trans advice I see online is mainly for trans femmes/trans women (in the vein like "estrogen will do x, t and z, be careful!" And things like "testosterone blockers will so these things too") and that's really awesome and I'm glad the girls got each other,

but most of the advice for trans guys i had to seek out myself. (And I still don't know like much past "testosterone makes you retain body heat" and I don't know about any of the other effects like stuff for trans girls being a diuretic and can make hydration harder most of the side effects lists for testosterone therapy don't mention those things despite my hours worth of research) And yeah it's good to do your own research, but like I have to get my warnings from scientific journals and whatnot. I'm not qualified to give any of the advice bc I'm still pre-everything (hormones, surgery). Like social transition is all I have rn. Anyway if there's any good like resources made by trans men/mascs for trans men/mascs please drop it below and we can help our fellow guys out! 🫶

But yeah any trans guys that can offer some health advice regarding post-op, hrt, effects of testosterone and so on, it'd be super appreciated!

[poeaxtry]

I can’t believe in May I will be a decade on hrt

How are these all me?

God damn I really did it.

[frameacloud]

Zinnia Jones (May 31, 2021). "Early use of masculinizing steroid oxandrolone in trans boys can add 2 more inches of height compared to testosterone." Gender Analysis. Live link. Archive.

The above blog post is about a study about looking for more suitable sorts of puberty blocking and hormone therapy for transmasculine youth. It found a treatment that is more effective for letting them grow up to be a couple inches taller, if they start it early, at age thirteen or fourteen. It's about this study:

Grimstad, F. W., Knoll, M. M., & Jacobson, J. D. (2021). "Oxandrolone Use in Trans-Masculine Youth Appears to Increase Adult Height: Preliminary Evidence." LGBT health, 8(4), 300–306. https://doi.org/10.1089/lgbt.2020.0355

[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.

[apricotbuncakes]

Testosterone gave me confidence, and that confidence allowed me to put my audacity to good use.

I’ve been joking with my friends that “I now have the audacity of an army of cis men”. Some other symptoms of testosterone include:

“Brave stupidity” such as knowing I will not be able to tolerate Carolina Reaper hot sauce and still eating it anyway (and somehow roping in another [cis] guy into doing it without making fun of his masculinity)

“Cut off all the sleeves of my t-shirts” to show off my nonexistent arm muscles

“H o r n y” That is amusing as it is annoying considering I am asexual and have no desire to fuck anyone regardless of how much I love them romantically

And last but not least: Actually having a semblance of energy to get up and be happy about my life (amazing what gender affirming care will do).

[kendollclitzone]

How to do a testosterone injection (subcutaneous) for HRT

TW: needles!

[carolinahormonehealthcenter]

Professional Hormone Replacement Therapy for Men in Columbia, SC

Carolina Hormone & Health Center provides expert Hormone Replacement Therapy for Men in Columbia, SC, to restore vitality, improve energy, and support overall wellness. Our personalized approach helps men combat symptoms of low testosterone, such as fatigue, mood changes, and decreased libido, with safe, effective treatment. Call us at (803) 454-8500.

[frameacloud]

Persky, R. W., Apple, D., Dowshen, N., Pine, E., Whitehead, J., Barrera, E., Roberts, S. A., Carswell, J., Stone, D., Diez, S., Bost, J., Dwivedi, P., & Gomez-Lobo, V. (May 2, 2024). "Pubertal Suppression in Early Puberty Followed by Testosterone Mildly Increases Final Height in Transmasculine Youth." Journal of the Endocrine Society, 8(6), bvae089. https://doi.org/10.1210/jendso/bvae089 Free full text article.

[swingosphere]

Feeling tired, moody, or not quite like yourself? It might be more than aging: It could be low testosterone. Discover what every man should know about testosterone, aging, and how to reclaim your vitality. #MensHealth #Testosterone #LowT #TRT #HealthyAging #HormoneHealth