PCOS and Testosterone

[RoryM]

I am a pre-transition guy however I am interested in taking hormones in the future. Nevertheless I have PCOS though it is mild and I only have a couple of symptoms (just the acne, hardly any periods, and maybe it affects my mood and depresseion). So my question is will taking testosterone make the PCOS worse? Will it quicken getting diabetes and the various cancers that are connected with PCOS or not? If so are there ways of preventing those conditions? I was of course going to ask a specialist about this stuff before making medical decisions but have any of you guys that are on testosterone have PCOS and how has it affected you?

Thank you for sharing information.

[jasoncowl17]

I know a few guys who have PCOS and starting/being on testosterone has had no added side effects/ risks. Bear in mind testosterone affects everyone differently and it may worsen or have no effect on your PCOS. If it's mild, as you say, I would give yourself the benefit of the doubt.


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[FTMax]

I was diagnosed with PCOS around the time I started hormones. Testosterone actually helped a lot of my symptoms. I got a hysterectomy as a prerequisite for bottom surgery around 14 months on T, and while I still had cysts on my ovaries, none of them had ruptured or gotten any worse in the time since I started T.

[Dex]

I had both PCOS and endometriosis for 15 years before I started T. T neither made my symptoms better nor worse. I was in pain most days of those 15 years and continued to be in pain after T. I had a hysterectomy/oophorectomy just over a year on T as I had very compassionate caregivers who agreed that I didn't need to be in pain anymore since I intend to be on T for life.

Since recovering from the surgery, I am pain free. However, I was on T a very short time (relatively) by the time I had a hysterectomy so I can't really speak to the long term effects.

[RoryM]

I was diagnosed with PCOS around the time I started hormones. Testosterone actually helped a lot of my symptoms. I got a hysterectomy as a prerequisite for bottom surgery around 14 months on T, and while I still had cysts on my ovaries, none of them had ruptured or gotten any worse in the time since I started T.

That's good. If in fact testosterone can help with symptoms I would be very happy with that. 

@jason and @Dex: Well it is good to hear that T does not affect it even if you have it severely. Essentially does getting a hystorectomy remove PCOS for good?

[FTMax]

Essentially does getting a hystorectomy remove PCOS for good?

If you have your ovaries removed at the same time, yes.

[RoryM]

If you have your ovaries removed at the same time, yes.

Ah, then that is good. I am heavily considering getting hysto along with hormones too.