Spotting

[youngbuck]

Just to get this out of the way: I've put in a call to my doctor and am waiting to hear back. Regardless, I'm freaking out right now and could really use some information and advice.

I'm a few days shy of four years on T and I've discovered that I'm spotting. It's not very much and it's intermittent, but it's absolutely crushing me mentally and emotionally. I've never experienced this before, as my period stopped fairly quickly back when I started T and has been absent since then. I'm aware spotting is relatively common, but it seems really weird that it's happening this far into my transition. I've never missed or been late with a dose, and I also got my levels checked a couple months ago -- everything was solidly in male ranges. I will say I'm currently on the lowest dose I've been prescribed, but I've also been on it for about 10 months now, so I'm not sure if it's possible for my levels to have suddenly tanked within the past several weeks. I'm trying not to catastrophize or envision worst case scenarios, but...well, you know how that goes.

Anyway, thanks in advance for any advice or comfort you can offer. This is an absolutely horrible experience I never thought I'd go through again.

[Dex]

I have read that it's relatively common for it to start back up intermittently and not heavy after some time on T.  If your levels are solid and you haven't had any other recent changes, my guess is that it just "happens" that way for some guys.  It might stick around that way or it might go away but could come back.

I know that is not at all reassuring and I completely empathize with how devastated you are probably feeling. I would be too.

Certainly listen to what your doctor may have to say but I believe the only sure way to make sure you never spot again is to have a hysterectomy.  I had one at about 1 1/4 years on T due to medical reasons and am so glad I did. I feel better physically (I was always in pain) and psychologically having those organs removed.

[mm]

youngbuck, I feel for you, not having any bleeding for 4 yrs and then this starting.  I understand it has happen to guys after being on t for awhile.  This is yet another reason I want a total hysto when I can get one and pay for it.  I have no need for those parts; they can only cause me problems sooner or later.  Let us know what your dt says.

[AnxietyDisord3r]

The spotting is caused by your endometrium. It can experience some sort of weird growth on T rather than just fading away as we would like. The only solution is to have it removed. There are several procedures to remove the endometrium. (For example, ablation.) If left alone, you have a risk of endometriosis, which can be a very serious condition.

Hysterectomy removes the endo with the uterus, so that's another possibility.

[FTMax]

The spotting is caused by your endometrium. It can experience some sort of weird growth on T rather than just fading away as we would like. The only solution is to have it removed. There are several procedures to remove the endometrium. (For example, ablation.) If left alone, you have a risk of endometriosis, which can be a very serious condition.

Hysterectomy removes the endo with the uterus, so that's another possibility.

This. Essentially the way my doctor explained it was that while T stops the period, it doesn't always completely shut down all of the processes that go on simultaneously, like the thickening of the uterine lining. And if you're not shedding it via a period, then it's just building up which can eventually case breakthrough bleeding or spotting.

My period stopped just prior to the 3 month mark on T, but I never stopped being anxious about it and tracking the date of when it should occur. I had a total hysto and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (so everything inside removed) earlier this year to prepare for bottom surgery, and it did wonders for that lingering anxiety.

That would be a quick fix to ensure that you never have issues with it again, but I know it's not for everyone.

[youngbuck]

Hey, guys -- thanks so much for the support and the info, both are greatly appreciated. Just to follow up, I finally got in to see my doctor and it turns out my levels had indeed cratered. When I saw him a few months ago, my levels were in the male range, but on the lower end for me compared to where they usually are. Neither of us thought anything of it, but I guess it took several months for my lower dose to catch up to me, so to speak. He's put me back on the dose I was taking before, so that should hopefully straighten things out.