Hi, I was wondering if there are anyone here who took testosterone to transition (up to some point) and decided to stop afterwards?

I think that's what I want to do because I don't want to get facial hair at all but I was wondering if there is a certain set of mg/dosage that one has to take- meaning does everyone take the same amount? I would like to take the least amount possible but I also want it to be effective for stopping the periods as well. The main reason why I am even planning on taking testosterone is because I've had many bad experiences with the other methods such as the depo provera shots and birth control pills. 
So I believe the gel version would be a better choice for me but I would like to know from the people who are experienced first.

You don't get to pick and choose, if it stops your period, T will develop facial hair. To what extent and how quickly depends on the individual. There is no one dosage for some effects and another dose for other effects. Even if the dose is low, it will effect things besides periods, if it effect them in the way you want.

Not to mention some changes on T are irreversible, like voice change. It will go back a bit but it'll never be as high as pre-T.

T is no wonder drug, it comes with side effects like everything else.

I am definitely fine with voice change but I don't want facial hair and baldness actually. Otherwise I am ok with rest of the changes. I can't have surgery like hysterectomy but I heard of "endometrial ablation" that would stop the bleeding but then again , I also heard it's not 100% guranteed. I feel like there are no options for me but I definitely don't want to take T forever though.

How about things that block the hormone estrogen (without taking T)? Has anyone tried this?

Can you go on T to stop your period, is this the ONLY reason. Its the idea I got reading this. I don't seem to be the only one.

There are other ways to stop  or vastly slow periods such as staying on a steady dose of the pill all the time. Most pill routines do give a sugar pill a few days a month, to start the period again. (Google "menstrual suppression"). There are a lot of FAAB people who do this nowadays. It's a bit controversial, but not as controversial as going on T. There is also a couple surgical procedures (menstrual ablation comes to mind) and IUDs that release small doses of hormones (for instance Mirena).

I am pretty sure that if you stop T, the periods come back (if you have ovaries, etc.).
T will cause both irreversible and reversible changes. There are people who are genderqueer or otherwise non-binary who use T at very low doses which do not make a whole lot of changes. But I don't know of a dose that would reliably cause you to stop your periods. I have actually heard that they will VERY slowly cause you to medically transition, but the transition is over many years so is very gradual. I have heard of people on T for 7 years and do not get read as male. I have no idea if the change is not having a period as most people who do this kind of thing are not comfortable in their assigned gender, but don't really identify as male. You might try doing a search on low dose T.


--Jay

Thank you for the information. I will search more into the "low dose" then. I will also talk with my doctor.

I am a bit confused as to what you want testosterone for. Do you identify as a man or otherwise transgender or do you just want your periods to stop? If you are genderqueer or a guy who doesn't want facial hair but wants a deeper voice, fat redistribution, body hair and greater muscle mass you could look into laser hair removal etc.

If you identify as a woman you do not want to take testosterone. There is no guarantee your periods will stop quickly, and if they do then they will come back as soon as you stop. You will also get all sorts of other effects which will be very unpleasant if they are not in line with your identity.

I have to echo what the others are saying. Also:

1. As soon as you stop taking testosterone, you will start getting your period again. Also, it is not an effective form of birth control.
2. If you're on testosterone long-term, you will more than likely develop facial hair. Male pattern baldness is a toss-up, but it's fairly likely.

I checked your post history and all you've ever asked about here is testosterone in relation to periods. If you want to stop getting your period, get a hysterectomy, don't go on testosterone.

The reason that I can't have hysterectomy is because I've been told by the doctors that I would still need hormones (one of the two).
Of course, I prefer testosterone but I don't want to keep taking it all the time.

By the way, I definitely don't identify as female (never did and never will) but I basically don't want to look like a man, but a boy. That's why I wanted to avoid facial hair because honestly if I didn't shave every two days or so I would have it...

If you're a kid, you will look like a boy. If you're an adult, I don't know why you wouldn't want to look like one. Not to be rude, but I don't really understand your reasoning here...

I actually understand what you mean as this is kind of the situation I'd be in in the long term if I transition. I'd eventually have to get a hysterectomy for possible endo'. I also understand that once you lose your ovaries you can have health problem, one of which is osteoperosis. You'd need some type of hormone in your system to prevent that an other things. I myself would want testosterone, but I have my own concerns about it's affects on me. I definitely don't want estrogen. So it's a lot to consider and it sounds like you have the right idea doing some research and discussing options with your doctor.

Quote from: spoises on December 21, 2013, 04:24:02 PM
I am definitely fine with voice change but I don't want facial hair and baldness actually. Otherwise I am ok with rest of the changes. I can't have surgery like hysterectomy but I heard of "endometrial ablation" that would stop the bleeding but then again , I also heard it's not 100% guranteed. I feel like there are no options for me but I definitely don't want to take T forever though.

How about things that block the hormone estrogen (without taking T)? Has anyone tried this?

Just wanted to clarify a point here... the Drs wont do endometrial ablation without first being permanently sterilized (Tubal Ligation, essure, etc). This is because pregnancy after the ablation would almost certainly result in ectopic which as you know can be life threatening. My sister (not trans) had tubal ligation after the birth of her child and got the ablation done as well and no period in over 2 years. I met with OBGYN about a month ago and went over issues because of endometriosis and had the Essure procedure done which is a 15 minutes outpatient permanent sterilization procedure and an alternative to the invasive surgery and required recovery time for tubal ligation (Essure has no recovery time or surgery). My next step will be the ablation in 3 months if needed still. Anyways, google Essure to get some background information and meet with an OBGYN about any issues related to reproductive system this includes ablation, sterilization, or hormones since this seems to be your biggest concern at the moment.

Having done my research on everything ahead of time helped as the first OBGYN wanted to do tubal and THERMACHOICE. However, when I questioned her I said I was more interested in Essure and Novasure. She referred me to a different OBGYN at the same clinic who did those two procedures. Just good to be educated before you go so you know what your options are as not all Drs do all the same procedures and each carries its own separate risk and benefits which you'll need to discuss with your Dr. A 3rd option my new OBGYN metioned was after the Essure is confirmed in 3 months, if ablation doesnt stop my period then I can still add a hormonal IUD thats good for 5 years. The chances of still having period after the ablation and a hormal IUD would be next slim to none.

Quote from: spoises on December 23, 2013, 08:42:53 AM
I basically don't want to look like a man, but a boy. That's why I wanted to avoid facial hair because honestly if I didn't shave every two days or so I would have it...

Everyone ages eventually. There is no eternal fountain of youth. I'm trying to wrap my brain around why someone would want to look like a child if they're not one. I'm not sure how old you are (if you're under 18 don't disclose) but if you're young you're going to look like a young man on T. If you're older T will mature you into a man physically. As others have said, you don't pick and choose the results. There is no magical dose to get everything one desires but none of the possible undesirable effects one may experience.

A hysto that does not remove ovaries is common and will end periods without interfering with your hormones. Your doctor may have misunderstood what you want.

Low dose won't stop your period, I mean isn't likely to. It might help after hysto, but not guaranteed. Doing a search here on the topic might be useful for you. But as people said you can't pick and choose. You are going to be fairly set with what ever changes you get.

--Jay

My advice: no one can be a girl or boy for life.  Part of what pushed me into finally accepting I had to start T and accept who I am is because I was being seen as a boy at 28 years of age with already greying hair, that was just ridiculous and stupid.  Even the idea of wanting to be a boy is just disturbing.  Maybe not so bad if you're asexual but otherwise it's just catering to pedophiles and that's just highly disturbing! :-/  How do you honestly see yourself being "a boy" when you're 40, 50, 60 etc and you're very obviously not a teenage boy?  The best way I've heard it said with regards to deciding whether to start HRT or not: do you want to grow old as a man or as a woman?

The whole idea of picking and choosing what you get from testosterone is just insane really.  You get what you get, all the good with all the bad.  You don't want to get bald?  Tough!  It's a risk and you either take it or you don't.  You don't think every single guy, cis or trans, would like to able to have the choice not to go bald?  You don't want facial hair: have you heard of a razor?  I shaved this morning, and last I looked there were a lot of guys without facial hair walking around like regular guys! 

People who dip in and out or take in low doses to try and get what parts they want are really just an insult in my opinion.  Dipping in and out just wrecks and confuses your body and I don't consider it safe with regards to how it messes with you psychologically.  T isn't something that should be messed with.  In my opinion when you make that decision to take T you should know in your heart that you're ready to become male in a medical sense and stick with it.  There are irreversible changes, it's not something to play with.  Cis people can't choose.  If you want to take T, then you should want to be chemically male regardless of risk of baldness, acne, reduction in life expectancy, etc.  If you only want some of the changes, you're not committed to becoming chemically male and it's not right for you.

If you only want T to take away periods - do NOT take T!  There's many more options for you that would suit you better.

You can have a hysto and keep the ovaries.