Going off Hormones cold turkey, Good Idea?

[Femme_et_al]

Hello, so I made a post a few days ago outlining why I am detransitioning, and I am still planning on moving back home and living as a man etc etc...

I live in a very rough city right now and most of my neighbors don't know I'm trans and flirt with me all the time and I also have to work at my current Starbucks for the next couple weeks as my female self too, so I won't be presenting as a man until after I move back home in 2 weeks for safety reasons.

Anyways ok my question: As far as quitting hormones, I haven't had any surgeries or anything so I should be producing Testosterone normally, is it dangerous to go off of them cold turkey? I am concerned about a "crash" emotionally which could even be dangerous, I have gone off them for a couple weeks before and felt like a zombie but I think that was for other extraneous reasons...

I have been on them for over 3 years now, does anyone have any experience with this? Are there any health risks associated with it? Could I have withdrawals or an emotional crash? I've considered maybe just starting to taper off of them, taking them once a day instead of two, then every other day etc etc. I just want to set myself up for success and phase into my new life as easily and with as much grace as I can.

Personal testimonies or advice are appreciated

[Dena]

This is why I mentioned you should discuss this with your doctor. For the short period of time until your production kick back in, there shouldn't be any danger. On the other hand, you are probably going to get real uncomfortable. Hot flashes, night sweat, emotional shifts and the return of your dysphoria. I don't know how long before your testosterone production will kick in but probably your doctor can tell you that.

Post surgical and because of incorrect medical information I was off estrogen for about 10 years. Changes in fat make me appear more masculine, I had almost 2 years of hot flashes and I lost some of the little body shape I had. You might want to consider living male but continuing on HRT if possible. We have others on the site doing just that to help keep the dysphoria in check while they wait for life to become better.

https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,207785.0.html
https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,209589.0.html
https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,218060.0.html

[Ellement_of_Freedom]

All I know is that period of time when there is no dominant sex hormone in the body is the WORST. As Dena said, hot flashes and night sweats etc. Just awful. I would discuss with your doctor and see if you can be "weaned" off HRT rather than going cold turkey.

[Mendi]

You mentioned in your other post, that you would like to have children and a wife?

After 3 years of HRT, having biological children most likely is impossible and out of the question.

I would also advice to discuss this detransition with a medical doctor and discuss your wishes and fears with the dr., so that you know what you can have and what not.

Another option that I would consider in your place, would be to continue HRT and present as male.

[Janes Groove]

As far as quitting hormones, I haven't had any surgeries or anything so I should be producing Testosterone normally, is it dangerous to go off of them cold turkey?

First of all good luck with your detransition.  I know it's a difficult decision to make and I wish you all the best in your detransition efforts.  But cold turkey to me does not sound like a good idea for the reasons others have alluded to. 

Also, I wouldn't be so sure about your ability to produce testosterone like you used to pre-transition.  Estrogen is a drug that promotes chemical castration and for many/most it causes the testes to shrink significantly and to become permanently damaged and dysfunctional.   If you have been taking transition level doses of estrogen for three years then it is altogether likely that significant, irreversible and permanent damage to your testes has already occurred.  I would recommend you only do this under a medical doctor's supervision as the negative health outcome of complete sex hormone withdrawal is likely to cause significant health issues in my opinion.

[AutumnGurl81]

I truly wish you the best on your journey. In my experience I stopped after two months and hated every aspect of it, I could feel my male sex drive return, guy smell, man skin, that kind of raging feeling eventually came back, and I had hot flashes and GD like crazy. For the first week my emotions were kind of all over the place. Health wise I was fine, but I'm sure it varies from person to person. Just get ready to be uncomfortable. Best of luck and be safe!

[Doreen]

I've had several times I went off HRT cold turkey.  I never had any real issues.