dating while starting t?

[AdamMLP]

You are correct, Chuck.  Education is important to combat myths and misinformation.

Testosterone and aggressiveness
Medical Science Monitor, April 2005

Abstract

Aggressiveness is an ancestral behavior common to all animal species. Its neurophysiological mechanisms are similar in all vertebrates. Males are generally more aggressive than females. In this review, aggressive behavior in rodents, monkeys, and man and the role of testosterone and brain serotonin levels have been considered. Interspecific aggressiveness in rats has been studied considering the mouse-killing behavior; the neonatal androgenization of females increases adult mouse-killing as does the administration of testosterone in adults. Intraspecific aggressiveness was studied by putting two or more male rats (or mice) in the same cage; the condition of subjection or dominance is influenced by testosterone. In monkeys, testosterone is related to aggressiveness and dominance and, during the mating season, increases in testosterone levels and aggressive attitude are observed. In men, higher testosterone levels were obtained in perpetrators of violent crimes, in men from the army with antisocial behaviors, in subjects with impulsive behaviors, alcoholics and suicidals, in athletes using steroids, and during competitions...

If you have ever observed a case of "'roid rage," then you would know what testosterone can do.  With that said, people have the ability to control themselves, so hormonal levels should never be blamed for anti-social behavior.

So called "roid rage" is most often due to excess levels of testosterone, not merely normal male levels.  I'm not trying to debunk the study you've posted, but it's referring to how high levels of testosterone are more common in violent and antisocial behaved men, not simply men who have the normal levels of testosterone.  There are many studies which have been carried out to try and discover why some people become mass murderers or extremely violent, I remember one biology lesson on chromosomal disorders where one was linked to a high percentage of people involved in violent crime.  There is some correlation between testosterone and violence, but this seems a little like scaremongering...

I can't speak from personal experience, but there have been a lot of anecdotes from guys here who feel calmer after getting testosterone, a lot of them say that they feel more balanced and in-kilter with the world, it's not a scientific study, but the amount of anecdotes I've seen over the years here must speak for something.

[Jamie D]

I understand what you are saying, and your observations are correct about excess levels.

But the psychological effects of T are not like turning on or off a light switch.  It is gradational.  Adolescent natal males often have "rages" during puberty - I can personally attest to that.  With regard to some FtMs, the sense of being "right" can be very calming, I have no doubt.  Good point.

And if you look at methods in animal husbandry, one way to "calm" a stallion or bull is to castrate them.

None of this is black and white, but we can not discount the relationship between testosterone and aggressiveness - it is not a "myth."  As I said before though, people should be able to control themselves.

[LordKAT]

No fights or rage outs since starting T. Plenty before that however. It is not definite that T causes aggression. My Endo even said that rumor is way off base. I would hope she knows what she is talking about.

Testosterone Does Not Induce Aggression, Study Shows

Dec. 9, 2009

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/12/091208132241.htm

[overdrive]

Adolescent natal males often have "rages" during puberty - I can personally attest to that.

I don't have any studies to share but I can personally attest to females having the same, if not worse, "rages" during puberty.

[sneakersjay]

I am far mellower on T than I was before T.  And another guy I know was described as angry and aggressive pre-T and is now as mellow as me. Nearly 6 years on T for both of us.


Jay

[notyouraverageguy]

i'm new here so forgive me if this was asked before.

i will be starting t next month and i was just wondering what peoples thoughts on dating while just starting t?

If you feel you need to find yourself or work on yourself, then take that time to focus on just yourself making yourself a better you or figuring out what it is you want and feel. I dated pre t, barely on t, and so on. It didn't stop me, it did hold me back but I still dated no matter what, and as stealth as I could be.

[aleon515]

I get more quick to anger, but I am also quicker to get over it. I think what is clearly a myth is "roid rage" or rather not really a myth, but it is not really from normal male doses of T, but from the kind of steroid injections that some cismales take where they get T along with steroids and other unknown substances. Blind rage, no, but you may or may not have more anger/aggression. However, I think some of us get more calm, so not sure to what extent this is due to social expectations over T.

One thing is that cross hormones actually push you into puberty, so that some of the reactions are not T, per se, but having hormones that are changing your body and mind in many ways and people's reaction to puberty differs. I've had a rather calm puberty (fortunately) but I know people with more turbulent puberties. It's kind of an individual thing.

--Jay

[anibioman]

when starting T I was single but I don't think it would mess up a relationship unless your sig other was not a sexual person as I was very horny. I didn't realize it at first then I noticed I was jerking off more and more often. In the relationship I have now starting T would be a good thing, as my girlfriend likes me horny. I was calmer after starting T as it gave me a sense of peace. I didn't get roid rage, thats bs people saying that being on T gives you roid rage.

[Ayden]

My opinion my be mute since I am on a long term relationship, but I'll take a stab.

I was pretty emotional and aggressive before T. A lot of it was my anger at myself. My partner is apparently a god as far as patience goes. I was very moody before T, and I was quick to anger. I was never violent but I was harsh and short tempered. A lot of it was my own discomfort.

Post T I am pretty even. I am still an awful morning person (I love sleep) but my overal attitude according to the husband is much better.

The thing is, I knew I had a good thing starting. My husband had been a champ and now we have a great relationship. But, it's different if you are pre-t and pre-relationship.

You won't get overly aggressive or violent after testosterone. If you do, maybe it's things outside of your GID. YMMV but I don't buy that T makes you crazy, no matter how many people may say so. If so, natal guys would all be rage machines.

[Brandon]

I didn't even mean it like that but ok, I know of guys who have gotten on T and yes have said they got more agressive its on YouTube nothing to get mad over, Everyone is different, Testostrone is a strong hormone, I believe their is some truth to it, But not how others make it sound.

[aleon515]

I didn't even mean it like that but ok, I know of guys who have gotten on T and yes have said they got more agressive its on YouTube nothing to get mad over, Everyone is different, Testostrone is a strong hormone, I believe their is some truth to it, But not how others make it sound.

It's a hormonal change, so it is hard to figure out whether it is T or the fact that you are going thru a huge change. I say this because the head of the trans center here is always talking about going on T as going thru puberty and how he had this really difficult puberty and was very difficult to be around. He had a young kid and a partner, so I'm sure that was worse than living by yourself, like I do. I did go thru a period of time where I got angrier faster, still think this is the case. But I learned to accommodate for that fairly quickly, but I was kind of aware that my reactions were different.

I agree re: being powerful stuff. Ask the gals here as they have to take an anti-T drug, where we don't have to take an anti-E drug, T is enough.


--Jay