Have a question for FTMs on HRT-In what measure does testosterone affect concentration?
If u're a student, can u study ALMOST like before HRT? Thanks in advance for replies.
Andre

Hello Andre,

Maybe Dennis will be able to answer your question than I as he has been through that.  In the mean time check out what the wiki has to say on the subject here:

https://www.susans.org/wiki/Category:Hormone_Replacement_Therapy#Testosterone_Effects:

Steph

It seemed to improve my concentration. I have ADD and I notice focus differences, cause I only take meds when I need to. Haven't had to since I started T (but was off them mostly for the year before).

I do notice increased energy sometimes, but no increased aggression.

Dennis

One affect that I and others notice is that hormones can change emotions.  Before transition, I was more emotional than most guys.  After transition (and SRS), the estrogen heightened my range of emotions...it made me more sad and more happy than I was before.  I enjoyed the highs, hated the lows. 

I pride myself in being an amateur writer and, for me, this range of emotions has been a positive because I FEEL things moreI did before.  A coworker once told me that she'd read that estrogen can have a heightened perception or emotion the way marijuana does (though obviously not to that extreme).  I wouldn't know.

Perhaps both male and female hormones have down sides in terms of giving you more concentration.  If anger comes, as some say, with testosterone, anger of course isn't great for concentration.  If sadness comes with estrogen, well that can distract your from concentrating.  I'm no expert.  These are just my experiences.  Yours might be different.

Quote from: Teri Anne on December 20, 2005, 03:26:56 AM
One affect that I and others notice is that hormones can change emotions. Before transition, I was more emotional than most guys. After transition (and SRS), the estrogen heightened my range of emotions...it made me more sad and more happy than I was before. I enjoyed the highs, hated the lows.

Teri

Was is due to the effect of med or now that you had opened yourself to the world, being able to release the years of pent up emotions?

I started transition about the time you did and I went through virutally the same things.  When John Wayne died in The Cowboys and The Shootist I cried, and in other situations I could be a real hard a$$.  I wanted to let people get emotionally close then I'd push them away.  Scared to death that they would find the real me cowering in the shadows of my mind.

I don't believe there is medical research supporting what HRT does to the brain structures and mental state and I hope that there is never any done.  The same way I hope that scientists never find a physical cause that initiates GID.  If they find it, the cure comes next just as they screen for defects now while a child is in the womb.

Medical or just relief at finally living life I have no idea.  I just know that for me life is now a blessing to be cherished every waking minute.

Leigh

I learned at an early age to try to control my emotions, my parents made sure I knew that showing emotion about anything was wrong for a boy and for our family.

I also learned because of my diabetes and other things that if I allowed myself to get excited about anything, I would go into a depression that was twice as deep (suicidal) afterwards. 

Now that I am on estrogen, I find I can not control my emotions anymore and I am very sensitive.

Sarah

I am certain that the more wide extreme of my emotions during transition was due to the estrogen, not due to freedom experienced of being a woman. Other M2F TS's have echoed this sensation to me.  One instance I remember was watching a phone commercial, "reach out and touch someone."  When they touched in the commercial, it was a wonderfully happy moment for me.  Now, post op, my emotions are, thankfully, not as wide.  'Course I've also cut my esrogen intake to that of genetic women.

I sometimes think that F2M''s have an easier time transitioning than M2F's because of this hormonal change.  Testosterone seemingly would gve F2M's a more calm transition...less filled with over the top emotion, more confidence.  Being emotional can be great when you're up, but who needs it if it makes you consider, as some do, suicide?  I still, despite all this, love endings in romantic comedies where the two, who have had such troubles, get together to begin their new life.  The hug and kiss, magical.  I know, I know.  Chick Flick.

Thanx folks for replies...of course Wiki:)))Just wanted to hear from experience...cause I'm in a mess right now...what to say than lol reading two pages per hour.....can't concentrate......was at my friend(girl I dedicated *poems* to) on Orthodox celebration,day was just for family and her relatives thought I'm her boyfriend(if only that was true) cause stopped shaving...and was in boy's clothes.
She also read my SMS messages(was in toilet then)and found a message from a FTM guy-yes finally found TG in my country, but unfortunately uninformed about TG shops here(also using bandages-guess we'll have to buy online).Spent 10 minutes explainig the message...(wrote in male gender,signed Andre,asked for shops...)she was guessing-named me gay then lesbian...felt like I was burning inside...it was....passable....but when she mentioned depilation cream....WOW!Enough!! Conclusion=>love is REALLY blind.
Buddy Andre

A bit out of temper... a bit out of topic...

Quote from: Andre on December 21, 2005, 05:15:55 PM
Thanx folks for replies...of course Wiki:)))Just wanted to hear from experience...cause I'm in a mess right now...what to say than lol reading two pages per hour.....can't concentrate......was at my friend(girl I dedicated *poems* to) on Orthodox celebration,day was just for family and her relatives thought I'm her boyfriend(if only that was true) cause stopped shaving...and was in boy's clothes.
She also read my SMS messages(was in toilet then)and found a message from a FTM guy-yes finally found TG in my country, but unfortunately uninformed about TG shops here(also using bandages-guess we'll have to buy online).Spent 10 minutes explainig the message...(wrote in male gender,signed Andre,asked for shops...)she was guessing-named me gay then lesbian...felt like I was burning inside...it was....passable....but when she mentioned depilation cream....WOW!Enough!! Conclusion=>love is REALLY blind.
Buddy Andre

A bit out of temper... a bit out of topic...

Hey there Andre,

First off... wow your new pic is great, you look fantastic, I wish I could look as good.  You are definitely a heart breaker.  So your girlfriend found your messages, that must have been tricky for you, how is she now, any calmer?  It would have been a bit of a shock for her.  That's good news that you have found another online friend near by do you plan on meeting in the future?  I hope that you don't spend too much time reading, you've got to get out there and have some fun as well.  Take care of yourself Bud.

Hey, remember you can still PM me...

Steph

@Steph

Thanks Steph!You're good looking..half of women I met don't have such dreaming tender eyes...for me symbol of effeminacy.
From your mouth in her ears...she's(unfortunately) not my girlfriend just friend...just her relatives thought I'm a boy(have natural beard).But when I start HRT,will be better...hate my girly voice.

Rare on net...but as soon as I finish jobs...will hang more often...

Andre

Quote from: Andre on December 21, 2005, 06:23:44 PM
@Steph

Thanks Steph!You're good looking..half of women I met don't have such dreaming tender eyes...for me symbol of effeminacy.
From your mouth in her ears...she's(unfortunately) not my girlfriend just friend...just her relatives thought I'm a boy(have natural beard).But when I start HRT,will be better...hate my girly voice.

Rare on net...but as soon as I finish jobs...will hang more often...

Andre

Thanks for the compliments Andre, you're making me blush though.  I agree, maybe when things get quieter you will be able to get on the net more often.

Chat later,

Steph

QuoteMany transgender men report an increased energy level, decreased need for sleep, and increased alertness after testosterone therapy

I like one I heard for transgendered women concerning estrogen .... It makes airheads out of them.  

Terri

Ha, ha, and I thought it was because I was blonde -  Whew  

Steph

I'm not blonde, I blame it on being old and going "now I can't even remember what I was going to say" Oh well.

Sarah L.

Steph you are fishing for a compliment and you look attractive.

Andre you look handsome.

Me I need to change my nickname to Sumo.

Regarding the big T.  It makes me aggressive and impatient. It gives me energy and allows me to eat like a horse.  I have always had trouble with concentration.  I have always been very sensitive.

Now the big E has given me a feeling of calmness that I have never felt. I am even more sensitive.  However I am very tired and totally lack energy. I do seem to be very passive and am not the go getter I was. 

I hope I do not become more emotional and and lose more concentration as Teri Anne described with E.

I think crying in public is a controlled behavior.  However I think E can make you cry with less provocation than T.

T will eventually deepen a genetic female's voice.  E will not change a genetic female's voice.

I would like to look like a female and keep a few of the benefits of testosterone!  We need the scientists to develop a new hormone! (Did I describe a ->-bleeped-<-?)

However lots of testosterone tends to make the hair on the top of your head fall out.  Most genetic males do not like going bald.

According to an article:



Testosterone
(sometimes mispronounced as testerone or male testerone)
Testosterone is truly a life source to the male body. Produced primarily in the testes by the specialized Leydig cells, testosterone travels through the body via the bloodstream and binds to receptors on target tissues. There are testosterone receptors all over the body. As might be expected there are many in the genital area.  However, the second largest concentration is in the brain. It is those receptor sites that create sexual desire and trigger the release of nitric oxide to facilitate an erection. 


Normal testosterone levels in men:
240ng/dl to 1100ng/dl.  Healthy is the upper end of the range 750 - 1100ng/dl.  ...no wonder you guys are always in the mood....LOL

Testosterone Replacement

We use two methods of replacing testosterone: Twice daily application of a topical cream, or twice weekly self administered injections. Testosterone does the following:

Builds lean muscle
Improves sexual performance and enhances sex drive
Increases energy
improves mood
Improves mental clarity and quickness
Protects against cancer and heart disease
Restores lost zest for life


So, wonderful effects....I'd say...........for a guy, of course!

Take care Andre


tinkerbell