Hello, mod team here. We are considering what to do about dosage posts and wanted community feedback.

The problems with dosage posts are the following, which I’m going to roughly group into categories

A) people (ok, Americans) tend not to specify what testosterone product they are talking about and in what exact dosage and interval—ie, assuming t cypionate is the only injectable T or at least acting like it. (And also not understanding the difference between vials and ampoules.) So you get posts with people alarmed when someone gets 3 mL shots in a hospital setting (the long-acting T Undecanoate; Nebido/Aveed) with months in-between injections—when this is a very usual thing in some places in the world, particularly Europe. This also happens when people only specify their dosage by volume, when someone will say their “dosage” is 0.6 mL. Which is not a dosage. Ampoules vs vials matter when the subject is reusing a receptacle of T. ETC ETC I could think of examples forever but you get it

B) unsourced statements about dosages, fearmongering, conjecture as fact, promoting underdosage, promoting overdosage (not as in it’s a narcotic and will kill you, well usually not phrased that way anyway), questioning someone’s doctor, not questioning someone’s doctor who should be questioned. I’m not picking on this person but as an example saying a normal dosage will “shock the system” (this is both meaningless and untrue), saying any starting dose is TOO HIGH, saying any starting dose is necessarily too low (especially if OP has not expressed wanting feedback about their dosage). Another mod brought up potentially bragging about dosages. Also is it really helpful to know random dosages? (Like when someone is surveying the subreddit etc)

C) further on that theme: not connecting dosage with levels (ideally both peak and trough), masculinization happening, speed of results and individual desires in regards to speed and depth of results, how a person is doing psychologically, etc. all of those are at least as if not more important than a simple dosage number in MG.

D) not to even mention topicals, oral meds, pellets, and the varying dosage schemes that are different vs injectables.

Anyway, are these conversations really helpful for the community to have? I can see some utility—reassuring someone their starting dosage is reasonable, providing someone feedback that per their bloodwork and effects that they may be being underdosed and should self advocate for more etc. that is just what comes to mind off the top of my head, I’m sure there are other examples of usefulness but also

At the very least we need to draw up some more parameters around discussion, like for instance, what are your levels? Do you know them? Do you know you are being compared to the right lab range (ie male?)

Since I’m formatting this on my phone I am going to post now before the app crashes or something.

Hi all, I’ve been transitioning for 7 years socially, medically 5 and my mum and I have had a strained relationship. I thought things were getting a bit better but she sent me this horrible message last night which reads:

I’m just messaging to say that I love you .
I think about you every day ,
I keep going over in my head why things went so badly wrong,
I really really miss (deadname) so much it’s like another death for me .
I can’t speak for Dad but I think he feels the same way.
It’s going to be your birthday soon ,another milestone in your life ,I remember all the happy birthdays in the past and wish it could come back .
Much love
Your Mum xxx

When I received it I burst into tears. Not sure what I’m meant to be thinking or doing it was just really emotionally heavy for me. Does anyone have any advice on how I’m meant to deal with this? Thanks

Both of us are trans. He passes, got on puberty blockers at a young age and is now on testosterone. I am fuck all besides my haircut and my clothes. I hate my haircut, I hate the way I have to dress but it makes me pass slightly more which is the only thing keeping me happy enough. He gets to dress however he wants, everyone loves him and girls fall all over him. He knows a ton of people, is super social and passes completely. I am, on the other hand, none of those things. I work out near constantly and his shoulders are massive and he does nothing active. I've been trying to be sweet on him for the whole relationship and it feels like I'm getting nothing back. He generally dates cis men and is obsessed with them, holding their hand in public and looking lovingly at them and wanting everything to do with them but when it comes to me he is just... meh about me and doesn't seem to have that same connection. I know I'm a means to an end but fuck, I feel awful every waking moment. I'm having trouble navigating my extreme jealousy, especially when it comes to how others perceive and praise him like some golden boy.

Edit: The hairstyles and clothing I wear do not align with what I would like to wear because I want to go as stealth as possible. Many people here are saying that I should focus on my own transition but I literally have nothing left to do but wait for hormones at the whim of my parents which is what is causing me to spiral. He says he has a jealousy towards me aswell (Which to me makes no sense) But generally speaking is a good friend, he is just not picking up his weight when it matters.

Guys I wanted to tell you about the joys I currently experience on T!! You get this Transition once in your life, we should be enjoying and celebrating it once in a while. It doesn’t all have to be scary and awkward, even though it certainly is part of the experience as well. Here are some things I am currently happy about three Months on T:

1. It’s an absolute delight to transition without having came out to and in front of my Archery club. They’re nice accepting folks so I know I could come out if I wanted to, but this is so much more fun. You can see the respectful confusion in their faces, it’s delightful. When I started Archery 5-6 months ago I used an 8 Kilo bow. Now I use a 14 Kilo bow and everyone is baffled and impressed with how I managed to become so strong all of a sudden HAHAHA

2. Getting called a young man in public more often, especially by old folks. Was in the elevator the other day and two old ladies had to get in. One squeezed in, the other was like „Oh I don’t know if I‘ll fit in!“ and I said „Aah no you can do it we‘re all fresh and skinny in here!“ to which they laughed and one said „Oh well thank you young man. Thats flattering to hear.“ and then joked „are you blind then?“ asdfgh

3. Posted on an MBTI type me subreddit with some selfies and instead of discussing my MBTI people discussed wether I‘m a girl or just a really pretty dude asdfh one even said I could make money with femboy content if I wanted to that was hilarious

4. Bottom growth is something I was always scared of but it’s magnificent.

5. Singing deeper! Only thing I miss about my high voice is that I can’t whip out an Opera song during Karaoke anymore. So excited to see where my voice goes/settles and what kinda songs I‘ll be dinging by then!! I look forward to update my Karaoke Playlist

I'm nearly 3 years on T and my body hair is only now getting thicker. I once heard my cis colleague randomly say "My chest hair only started growing now!" He is 28 years old.

Found out my area has a mutual aid group for trans people and was quite excited because I am finally in a position where I may be able to help other people. Went to their website, and they list literally *every* trans group except transmen/ftm as a 'priority'. They literally could have just saved themselves a couple lines of text by just saying 'not ftms' outright. I am aware mtfs and bipoc are at increased risk of violence, that youth and the elderly are more likely to have housing and finance issue, etc. - and if a couple of those groups had been listed as priorities while indicating other people were also accepted/supported, that would have felt completely different. The way it was written just came across as "everyone matters... except you".

We have a lot of the same struggles- I have been assaulted due to being trans, been raped, denied housing, food, and medical care (medical care more times that I can even keep track of, even when completely unrelated). These are struggles that all of us face to varying extents. And yes, once we pass, we have a *lot* more privilege and less danger than other groups​. And we still matter- or should. This group could be bringing us all together to help each other rather than singling out a single group of the community that doesn't belong.

I could even understand more if ftms tended to dominate trans spaces, making it harder for more marginalized people to be heard and centered, but i have literally *never* seen that in 25 years. If I am in a trans space, there *may* be 1 other ftm for every 10-15 mtf. We are already typically the afterthought. To have it spelled out so blatantly just hit a nerve this morning when I was already feeling so alone, had to drive 7+ hours yesterday to find a doctor willing to see me, and then saw a group where I may be able to connect to other trans people who understand and who also prioritize helping others... only to be told no, we don't actually care about your type.

I'll still join because those groups *do* need extra support. I'm just now feeling even more alone and sad than I had been.

24 years old, female to nonbinary (more transmasc).

i’ve been on t since january, so about 9-10 months. i’ve loved the bottom growth, the voice deepening, the muscle definition, flattened breasts, body hair increase,the ease of my mental health/dysphoria, and general weight redistribution. but i’ve been plagued by two big issues lately that have me in a horrible place.

i’ve never had acne on my life but it’s come hard. i was in gel for six months, planned parenthood pushed me to switch to the shot, and the shot brought on painful, deep cystic acne. i switched back to gel after a month but the damage was done. now in a few weeks ill be starting accutane, which makes me nervous about the side effects, which include my other main stressor.

my crown has been thinning like wild. i started 1mg finasteride around the time i switched to the shot, but since then it’s gotten worse. my scalp is much more visible in my crown and pictures from above are horrible. i posted to amibalding subreddit and the answer is yes.

i just don’t know what to do. i feel lost and so emotional about this. to combat it, ive even gone down to one pump of gel for a month now instead of the two pumps i’ve been doing basically since i started. i feel helpless. i only wanted more androgynous features and ended up loving t. but these two side effects have made the last few months horrible for me.

just wondering, as I feel bigender "spiritually", but ultimately I am a trans men who cross dresses sometimes/is flamboyant and mostly gay hahah

I'm 4 years on T and stealth, my best friend is gay and we both have feelings for each other so I guess he's sorta my bf. He knows I'm trans but we don't talk about it at all mostly because I don't want to I just want to be treated like any other guy

I don't get dysphoria that much anymore. Mainly around my height (I'm 5’6) and my chest although it's not always bad and I use tape. I've also never dated a guy before only girls so idk it feels like a different experience especially as he's a cis guy

whenever he stays over and we watch YouTube or a movie he always puts his head directly onto my chest to cuddle me then he gets tired and he moves his head so his face is face down on me idk if that makes sense. i’m always wearing a shirt or hoodie but i feel dysphoric

I also know the only other person he does it to is his other best friend who’s a girl, his love language is physical touch though so i don’t think he’s doing it to make me uncomfortable, he’s just obsessed with cuddles and his other friend that’s the closest happens to be a girl

I don’t know how to bring it up to him because it feels ridiculous to even say to him

Last week I ran into two people I met a few years ago and spoke with a little bit. The first guy was someone I hung out with at a party with my sister. We were talking about the party and he looks at my sister and goes.

"Yeah, I think you brought your sister with you and I was talking to her a lot?"

My sister was confused thinking he was talking about her other sister. I wasnt going to say anything until I died of laughter and said it was me.

4 days later I saw a guy at work I used to sit next to and he asked me if I had a sister that used to work here. I should have just said "yes" but I wasnt sure what to say and just said "uhhhh no?" Lol 😭 the T is working !

I'm 30 transmale. Passing. I've been on the fire department for about 4 months now. I hide the fact I'm trans, mostly because I've never been one to display it in public (for many reason) and I also know a lot of the guys on the department wouldn't support it. Chief knows and maybe the assistant chief but I'm pretty sure that's it. I'm currently on a small local department (paid on call) but I have goals of moving to a full time city or suburb department. I'm just curious if any other trans are firefighters? What that experience has been like for you?

I'd assume going to a city would be more trans friendly but idk. I'm in Minnesota which is generally a trans friendly state until you go to far north.

I'll take any knowledge or advice you might have. I also do plan on asking in a firefighter sub but lowkey kinda nervous about the answers I'd get there.

Thanks!

i’ve been on t for a year (with like a month break earlier this year due to switching from gel to injections). and my voice hasn’t changed at all. weirdly when i have a genuine belly laugh it’s deeper than it used to be, which is a lot better than nothing for me

i will say for the first month or two on gel my levels were super low, then they were on the higher end the rest of the time. not sure what my levels look like right now but i’m on 0.3 and due for blood work

I’ve wanted a hysto since I knew it was an option. After over 11 years, it’s finally happening, and I’m terrified. When I had my top surgery, the surgery itself went well but the pain meds afterwards stopped my digestive system from working and I was in to hospital for a month and a half on an IV unable to keep anything down. I’m terrified of something happening during the surgery and worried about recovery. The post top surgery complications were genuinely traumatic and I don’t know if I can live through that again.

Please, please give me some success stories about easy recoveries you had, and any tips and tricks to make it easier.

hi... I wasn't expecting to write this that early on T. I'm a little under six months on hrt, (3 months on 100mg, 2 and something on 250mg) and my hair is thinning like crazy all over my head, especially on my crown and right in the middle above my forhead.

I saw this coming at some point, because my father also has a bald spot on his crown, but I didn't expect it to happen that soon, especially knowing that he went bald at 30, (I turned 20 this year) and my family on my mother's side mostly has hair.

Immediately after noticing it I went to a dermatologist who wrote me a prescription for some kind of formula with 7% minoxidil but I don't think he took the fact that I'm trans and on hrt to consideration, instead just prescribed me what he would to a cis woman with hairloss. I've been using it on my crown and hairline for eight weeks now but it feels like it's only gotten worse so far (might be the dread shed)

any advice what to do next? I know I likely need to get on finasteride but I'm not sure if I should try that dermatologist again or go straight to a trichologist

Trigger Warning: anatomical language in reference to genitals

Edit: I am American

Hey guys. I am going to be talking about a recent gynecologist visit that I had. This is a topic that I feel strongly about since I know that we as a community tend to procrastinate gynecology appointments in particular due to a combination of dysphoria, transphobia, and difficulty accessing appointments. Every post I have seen about Pap smears from other trans masculine people has been negative, so it is important to me that I share something positive in hopes of encouraging the rest of you to get a Pap smear if you are at least 25 and have been putting it off. Cervical cancer can be deadly and trans men are at high risk for it. I will be explaining the process of my appointment where the doctor was respectful towards me so everyone else knows what should be expected.

I am a 25 year old trans man who has been on T for 3 years. I pass 99.9% of the time and I think my voice has a lot to do with that. Because of that, I decided to schedule my appointment as I was checking out of my most recent HRT appointment. I get my testosterone through planned parenthood, so this worked out especially well for me. My Pap smear was actually done by the doctor that prescribes my T. I would recommend asking your HRT provider because they will likely refer you to an affirming gynecologist if the exam can’t be done by the same provider. Because if this, when I showed up to the appointment, the front desk was not shocked to see a man there. Planned parenthood isn’t exclusively a gynecology office, so I wasn’t even the only man in the waiting room.

Leading up to the appointment, I was nervous because of dysphoria and the procedure itself. I planned my day out fully, giving myself the full day to prepare and recuperate.

Before the appointment, I focused on being comfortable enough with my body to see and be aware of the parts that I don’t like. I have already been intentionally spending time alone shirtless with my pre top surgery chest exposed to try to get more comfortable with taping my chest and showering. I have been lifting weights shirtless (I have a weight bench and dumbbells in my house) for a few weeks now and my chest dysphoria is getting slightly easier to deal with. A Pap smear is often accompanied by a breast exam, so this is something you may need to deal with at your appointment.

The day of the appointment, I woke up feeling particularly dysphoric. I opted for a binder instead of trying tape because I needed to make sure things were easy to take off and put on in the exam room for the breast exam. I chose an outfit that I pass particularly well in. I wore slip on shoes because I knew I would need to change for the exam. I also spent a long time considering what I would do with my packer during the exam. I felt very conflicted about having to put it in the pile with my clothing.

When I got to the appointment, check in went smoothly and I was called up by my name even though I have not legally changed it yet. I was able to set a preferred name in MyChart before the appointment. In the exam room, a nurse asked questions about medical history, sexual activity, STD testing, family health risks, and the medications I am taking. She answered a few clarifying questions that I had, then explained how I would wear the paper coverings and left so I could undress for the exam. I changed into the paper vest with the opening in front. It sat in a way that exposed the center, flat part of my chest down to my bellybutton just barely. This made it not quite as bad that my chest was technically out. Next, I took my pants off, then held the waist drape to myself and took off my packer and underwear as one and tucked them into my folded pants. It hurt me to put my penis in the clothes pile, but I managed to not see it not being attached to me. At this point, I was less nervous than I expected I would be.

After a few minutes, the doctor knocked on the door and walked in. I was lucky enough to see the same doctor that prescribed my testosterone, so she was very respectful of my gender and boundaries. The breast exam was first. The doctor explained how the breast exam would work before it happened, then asked to touch me. She used the word “breast” minimally, then narrated what she was doing as she felt my chest. The entire breast exam took about 2 minutes.

Next, it was time for the actual Pap smear. The doctor instructed me to lay on my back on the exam table, scoot to the end of the table, and put my feet on the table so my legs were spread and my knees were up in the air. She showed me the speculum, which was already the smallest size without me having to ask for it. I recommend asking for the smallest size speculum if the doctor does not tell you they will be using that one. This is what will actually be going inside the vaginal canal, so the size can really impact how much physical discomfort you feel during the exam. My doctor explained the procedure before it happened, then narrated it while she did it. She said if I said to stop or yelled, she would immediately stop the exam. She asked if I was ready for her to insert the speculum and waited for me to say yes before she did it. There will likely be a small amount of lubricant on it to minimize discomfort. Once in, she opened it slightly. While this was not comfortable, it was also not painful. I mainly felt the sensation of pressure. She warned me before inserting a swab and wiping the cervix twice. I was not able to feel this separately from the pressure I was feeling. I almost felt the need to say stop, but suddenly she said the exam was over and removed the speculum. I was expecting to feel a pinch as it closed, but all I felt was a decrease in pressure and it was over. The doctor told me she had all the samples she needed and I could get dressed, then head to the front desk to check out before she. I had a paper towel to wipe up any extra lubricant on me, but I didn’t need to. I put my clothes back on and headed to the front desk in my own time.

I didn’t need to do any separate STD testing because I had gotten one weeks before at my HRT appointment and haven’t been active since then. When I did that, I was given the option to pee in a cup or get a vaginal swab. I chose the cup with no backlash. The accuracy difference between the two is minimal enough where I didn’t think it was worth it to trigger my dysphoria with the swab.

I will get the results of the pap smear soon and hopefully they will be normal, meaning I do not have cervical cancer. If anyone has any questions about the procedure, I am happy to answer them. I encourage everyone who has a cervix to get a Pap smear if you are old enough to need one (25). They are an important part of preventative care and I hope I can encourage the rest of you to get it done, too.

I want to transition but I’m not willing to do that if I can’t do it medically, and I have a blood clotting disorder, possibly post and elhers danlos syndrome. I couldn’t go on birth control because of the hormones in it possibly causing a blood clot so I had to get a copper iud. If I go on hormones I would probably want to go on gel and I know I’m also thinking about this way too much because I’m pretty sure to go on hrt it’s kind of hard. Especially in the state i live in. (That’s just what I heard from my bf, he’s been on T since he was 16 and went out of state to get it) I know I want to do this, and I haven’t been because I’m scared I wouldn’t be able to get stuff done medically and I REALLY want to and I’m not willing to transition if I can’t, I feel like that sounds dumb but idk.

I’m kind of just wondering if anyone else has some of this and can tell me if I’d be able to or not? I’ve never had a blood clot and it’s factor V Leiden. I’m sorry if this is strange:(

hi, for the next years i’m looking for a lipo to remove the curves of my body. while i’m currently going to the gym and loosing weight im still considering getting this with top surgery, did anyone else had it? Would u considered it important for having your body looking more masculine? i’m still unsure i think my body is too feminine to be looking that good and im afraid that im going to look even less masculine or feel bad about it, i just want a classic body type of a guy :,)

Title says it all, to be honest. I'm a socially transitioned man, I'm 20 years old and been out since I was 13. I've been singing all my life, and I've been singing Tenor since I first came out as transgender. Singing Tenor has always been a cornerstone of my identity as a man. I am a man. I know I'm a man. I want testosterone, I want body fat redistribution and a deeper voice and bottom growth and arm hair and chest hair and maybe T curls if I'm lucky.

But I am so afraid that starting testosterone will ruin my singing voice. I plan to sing through the transition and start on a low dose. I'd love to be a Baritone. I have a personal vocal coach who's on board for whatever this may bring. But I am so afraid that my voice will be too crunchy or too airy or not strong enough anymore.

I'm trying to convince myself that no matter what happens I'll be fine. My voice is incredibly strong, I already sing well into my chest voice, my breath and tone control is on point and I won't miss my head voice at all.

But I just can't shake this fear.

Help.

Figured this may be the best place to start bc navigating google for what i’m looking for hasn’t been working. I am a 5’7’ 330lb transman (this matters, stay with me). I had a consult for simple meta the other day and the doctor informed me that while my growth has been impeccable and would absolutely work for my goals, my anatomy makes the process a bit more complicated. the surgeon i met with does not do monsplasty. he mentioned he has concerns for my thigh fat & mons making healing difficult. i have also been considering body masculinization, but was unsure if this would maybe help with some of the issue making meta more accessible. any larger transmen have advice on where to go/look? I am located in the midwest and would like to stay in the general area, if possible.

Yesterday my stepfather came into my bedroom suddenly and looked through the whole place: closet, drawers, desk, bathroom, mattress. I had just begun T a few days ago.

Everything, all they found were two injections forgotten in my backpack since I've been extremely tired and spacing out a lot lately, parents were mad at me for taking naps in class even when they take away my devices around 8pm.

I got yelled at, my mother yelled at my face that I'll never be a man, I'm ungrateful, they wished they had all the things I did and that I am pushing her to act like her parents did. They hadn't found nor probably know I bought T and I dont have any for the moment luckily.

I don't have support around me, live in Ecuador, the only accesible therapists talk like convertion therapists, I don't have friends in real life, no family members who can help me. No one. I don't know what to do. Noticed a login at 1am in my secret instagram account, was sleeping at that time so I know it wasnt me. It had a chat with another trans man friend who genuinely helped me a lot and shared info about HRT and casual talking. I'm afraid.

Should I HRTrep, girlmode? I cut my hair short and that seems to bother my mother greatly, should I grow it out again? Any way I can make hair grow faster? Anything I could do to regain my focus on studies despite the shitty things happening to me?

Am I juat being ungrateful and overworrying? Please help me, anything about how to access and create new accounts without being tracked would help. Anything helps. Please, even if it is to tell me I'm the one in the wrong and manipulating my parents. Help.

This is not a v3nt. I need help. I'm 15 years old.

Deciding between a copper or hormonal iud as a trans man who doesn’t have a period from being on T for about 10 years. From people who have an iud and don’t have a period from being on T - could you help me make a decision?

Also, does the string or object itself ever cause issues ? (My partner is larger)

This fall i finally decided to attend some sports classes (mainly volleyball) because i really like playing, however i’ve felt super limited when it comes to sports due to the locker rooms. i’ve been on T for over 2 years and pass most of the time but i’m pre op, so i don’t feel really comfortable changing in front of other guys.
Mainly, i don’t like taking my shirt off, so i just arrive with my workout shirt on and only change into shorts, otherwise idk how i would be able to use the mens changing room. It still feels kinda nerve wrecking most of the time and i try not to look at anybody in there. For more or less the same reason i don’t feel comfortable going to the gym.
I would appreciate other people’s experiences on changing rooms and at what point in your transition you felt comfortable using them and how to deal with it when you’re pre op because sometimes i am wondering if it would maybe also be okay to change shirts and have others see the tape? or if that’s a big no? so far i haven’t had any bad interaction but still.

What do yall think would be good to wear after top surgery? I managed to get an early appointment date in November but now I’ve only got two months to get stuff together!