Effects/side effects of T? My mom wants to know. (also a bit of a rant lol)

[Ryuu]

So my mom is kind of the natural, organic, healthy kind of people. And she's really concerned about me possibly taking T sometime in the future, becaus "it messes with your body's natural function!" Yeah mom...why do you think I WANT to take it...whatever. She seems to think it's just the issue of gender "roles", or something like that. She and her gf are always saying stuff about how i shouldn't be binding or whatever... her gf said my boobs were "cute". Yeah I know...awkward right? But also, cute? Seriously? "Hey Mom, you and *random dude's name here* would make a cute couple, doncha think?" No. She's gay. It doesn't work. So why am I supposed to be okay with my boobs because other people think they're cute? Sheesh...
(I know it's not exactly the same...bear with me)
Whatever. I'll talk to her at some point about all that.

The actual point of my post: My mom wants to know *all* of the effects/side effects of taking T. I've google searched but I'm not really coming up with much, so I figured I'd ask here.
Thanks for reading.

[Osiris]

Here ya go.

[Ryuu]

Mmkay, thanks!
I can tell already she's gonna have a bad reaction to some of the effects though... -_-'

[Dennis]

It's your body dude, not hers. You're the one who needs to accept those risks if you decide to take T.

Personally, I've had no negative effects. I started T at 42 years old, I'm now 47 and my blood pressure is still on the low side of normal, cholesterol is fine, I feel better, fitter and younger than I did when I was 40 (and I'm 30 pounds lighter than I was at 40 as well).

Your mileage may vary, but for me it's been nothing but a benefit (oh, and I still have a full head of hair, although I do know a lot of trans guys who don't).

Dennis

[Al James]

dennis you have just made me rest easier. being 37 i was starting to panic that i was too old to start the transition you've just given me hope. so r there any unpleasant effects of t?

[Dennis]

I wouldn't say unpleasant necessarily, but I did have a month or so post-hysto when my T levels were too high and I was hornier than a billy goat. It is a bit distracting.

Otherwise, it's been fine - I didn't even get zit problems, although my skin did get a lot oilier and I had to be more careful washing my face.

Dennis

[sneakersjay]

I started T at age 47 and other than the desired side effects I've had no issues whatsoever.  Basically taking T has been life-saving and I finally feel NORMAL.

Of course, everybody's different, but if you read the list of potential side effects from something as simple and common as amoxicillin, your mother would be horrified as well. 


Jay

[Radar]

Here ya go.

I love how some of those things are listed under both desirable and undesirable effects.

For me (so far) the undesirable effects were hot flashes and adrenaline surges. I still get them occasionally but not much anymore. Acne... now that's another thing. My problem is body acne- chest, shoulders, back & neck. Thankfully I don't have more than usual on my face. But, the acne won't last forever and is treatable.

Other possible issues like higher blood pressure, higher cholesterol, ect. will be checked & monitored by your endo and treated accordingly. There are side effects with anything- including natural and homeopathic stuff. As long as you're under the care of a doctor who knows what to look for and you're educated on the side effects, that's the best you can ask for.

[Miniar]

I'd suggest giving her the list of potential side-effects of Aspirin for comparison. (Aspirin does kill about 10.000 people a year and all...)

[Myself]

Tell her it's as natural as it is in the male body.. the only difference is that the male body produces more of it naturally.

Remind her her body and your body produces it too, just in lesser amount, the genetic code for it to do whatever it does is on the X chromosome, not on the Y, if she understands that pretty much the only different thing is the Y chromosome has instructions to make the penis and testicles out of the clitoris, she might understand it's quite normal, but bigger.

She might feat you'll become a male or guy or whatever though, in that case it doesn't matter much what you say, but in reality, she is not the one to decide.

[emoglassesenvy]

hmm that list was interesting...

i remember my boyfriend saying that even if it was found that it took 10 years off of his life, he would hands down still take T because for him it is totally worth the mental peace ... life stuck in a girl suit was that stressful.

[Ryuu]

Yeah that's kind of my feeling as well. But I talked to my mom and she says she will not okay me for it because she wants me to be responsible for my own decisions. Oh well 2 and a half years until I'm of age isn't *that* long. If I have the funds then. ><

[Arch]

i remember my boyfriend saying that even if it was found that it took 10 years off of his life, he would hands down still take T because for him it is totally worth the mental peace ... life stuck in a girl suit was that stressful.

Yeah, I had people saying, "Gee, maybe you won't live as long if you go on T." And I'm standing there, figuratively holding a razor blade to my wrist, saying, "How much longer do you think I would live without it?"

T has extended my life, not shortened it.

[Kevin]

But I talked to my mom and she says she will not okay me for it because she wants me to be responsible for my own decisions.

Wouldn't that mean you would get to decide for yourself without her having to agree completely? 

[Jay]

Yeah, I had people saying, "Gee, maybe you won't live as long if you go on T." And I'm standing there, figuratively holding a razor blade to my wrist, saying, "How much longer do you think I would live without it?"

T has extended my life, not shortened it.

Very strong statement Arch. But I like it.

I haven't had any bad side effects at all and I've been on T for 17 months now! Oh I started when I was 20 and I am now 22.

Jay

[Ryuu]

Yeah but basically it means "once you're 18 i don't give a ->-bleeped-<- what you do", lol.