So I'm nonbinary (assigned female at birth) and I've been on testosterone for a year and a half, and plan to have top surgery by the end of the year. At this point the only major source of dysphoria I have is my breasts; I'm fine with my voice (in a nice androgynous range) and body hair, so I'm thinking of stopping T after surgery, or maybe reducing my dosage, but i'm curious if anyone else has any experiences or thoughts.
One dumb concern I had was how it would affect my chest post-top surgery (one of my roommates made some comment like "oh wouldn't your boobs grow back" which I know isn't how it works but now im paranoid)
I assume you know that stopping T will mean female "curvy" fat redistribution (including in the face) will occur, periods will return if you are pre-menopause. etc.
One thing you will experience if you stop is a hormone crash. Be prepared for all manner of potential unpleasant side effects such as anxiety, fatigue, mood swings or depression, possible thyroid problems, and so on. If you still have functioning ovaries, it is going to take them some time after ceasing to take T to return to producing estrogen - and the body needs either estrogen or testosterone for normal functioning and energy levels. There will be a gap of at least 6-8 months while the body realizes you have stopped providing hormones from outside and begins making its own.
Viktor, talk with your dr. I know of one person who stopped and their ovaries started working quickly as about in 3 month she/he started periods by 6 month they were similar to those she/he had before,. Everyone is different.
If you mean the GP they usually have no idea how this all works. The GIC doctors were the ones who mentioned the hormone crash and I experienced it myself, but they didn't give a timeline figure.
If you are wanting me to say this yes obviously everyone is different. But the hormone crash happens and I'm warning the OP about it. They've been on T long enough for the ovaries to have shut down so it will most likely happen for them. OP should talk to their doctor about it, but the doctors don't always have timeline figures to advise with. Do you suggest I give none? I would say if they are younger the chances are the crash period will be shorter. But they'll still have one.
Seconding Viktor on the GP thing, my GP has no idea what she's doing so I go to a sexual wellness clinic for my hormones. I've been off them (unwillingly, due to my GP's incompetence) so I have an idea of how it'll affect me. For now I'm slowly dropping my dose, I use a cream instead of injecting so that's not too hard, and I'm gonna slowly ween myself off.
Boobs would not grow back, but if any of your body fat has redistributed, it would move back to a more female pattern.
Another thing to consider would be periods. If those have stopped due to T use and you have not had a hysterectomy, they would come back.
And if you have had a hysterectomy with your ovaries removed, I would talk to your doctor about what your options are because your body really needs some kind of primary sex hormone to avoid a lot of unpleasant health issues.
FTMax, I agree completely with you.