Hi Everyone,

Thanks for letting me be here!

So I have a question as an ally.

I have a close family member who is considering transitioning as a trans man.

And basically the question is this:

They have PCOS.

And so one of their big concerns is whether taking Testosterone will make their PCOS worse. IE, like they'll get more problems "down there" like pain, cysts breaking, etc, etc, etc.

They're also concerned about the weight gain aspect of PCOS because currently they take birth control to control that, but without that they start gaining tons of weight.

Now, it's my understanding that taking Testosterone, pretty much shuts down the ovaries?

And so, that would suggest that they won't have to deal with the kind of estrogen that was causing the weight gain and such. After all, guy's bodies tend to slim out and put on more muscle.

So, if the ovaries shut down, I am thinking that their PCOS wouldn't really be an issue as much anymore?

Because like, I would think they'd stop getting a cycle?

And so basically if their plumbing kind of shuts down, down there or goes dormant, I would think that the issues with things like getting a period, and cysts breaking, and the female hormones with weight gain and all that wouldn't be as big of an issue?

But I don't know. So that's why I told them I would ask.

Thanks!

-Sara

Edit:

PS, they're also worried about acne! Which has been a big problem when they are not taking the birth control, they get a lot of weight gain, (that is hormonal, not diet related) and a lot of acne, and they definitely don't want that. But my guess is that if their ovaries shut down the weight gain won't be an issue, and maybe the acne might clear up after a bit too?

Welcome to Susan's Place. These are questions that should be ask of the doctor because the doctor would be more aware of his health. Testosterone will mostly stop the periods but spotting is possible from time to time. Weight gain will depend on what happens after starting T. Additional hunger and the requirement for more calories will both happen at the same time. With wise food choices and activity it will be possible to maintain or lose weight. Lack of activity and poor food choices will result in weigh gain. As for acne, there is a risk and if he had it before starting T, it's likely he will have it with T. Proper skin care will be important to deal with it.

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He will want to talk about any concerns with a doctor. I have PCOS and so far the symptoms are much better since I started T, even though my periods haven't stopped completely yet.

Testosterone has increased my appetite, but it's also increased my energy level, so it's easier for me to burn more calories. If he makes wise choices it could actually be easier to burn calories.

Testosterone does cause acne because it's basically like going through puberty again. I started getting acne on my face in the first couple weeks, and it's pretty much like it was when I was in my teens. My doctor told me before I started T that there was treatment for it if the acne got really bad, but mine is manageable with over the counter treatments.

I start T on Tuesday and was told that my PCOS would probably improve. Guess I'll find out ...

Sara,

Welcome to the site. Thanks so much for coming on to help another. It is great to have members helping others out.

I would echo the sentiment that they should be talking to and endo about all this. Only they can answer with your friends history and have a pretty sure picture of the improvements and/or challenges.

With warmth,

Joanna

Hi All, yes thank you for those who responded.

My spouse and I (yes this is my spouse this is concerning)

Very much do already have a doctor who specializes in this.

So the purpose of asking questions here was not to get medical advice, (we're good on that thanks! We have a doc!)

But rather to try and see people's personal experience with this.

I'm a trans woman myself (post op) So I mean we're very familiar with all things transgender.

We're specifically looking for just first hand experiences with this, because those can be valuable too.

Thanks for all those who responded! I hope if more people actually have PCOS and are trans men, that they will chime in, and say something! Because this is a very helpful topic to know!

Anyway thanks! ^_^

I had PCOS pre-T with all the symptoms that come with it. T actually helped a lot with all of that. My periods stopped. Combined with a diet change, I lost weight that I'd had issues getting rid of for years. I masculinized fairly quickly. I'm not a doctor, so I can't tell you if that was due to my hormones being screwed up with PCOS, or what. But overall, T helped massively.

I had a hysterectomy at 14 months on T in order to have bottom surgery. My ovaries were still covered in cysts but none had ruptured in that time. I also didn't have any cramping or anything like that leading up to my hysterectomy.

Diet has a huge impact on PCOS. Your spouse should consider revamping their diet at the same time they go on T. Most guys experience an increase in appetite from T, which could be an issue if they're eating the same way they're accustomed to.

Acne happens to most guys on T. It's essentially putting yourself through a second puberty, and my experience with my skin has been very similar to how it was during my first puberty. I'm noticing I have more body acne than I did previously, but I think a lot of that is related to how much more I sweat now.

Quote from: FTMax on August 21, 2016, 11:55:18 AM
I had PCOS pre-T with all the symptoms that come with it. T actually helped a lot with all of that. My periods stopped. Combined with a diet change, I lost weight that I'd had issues getting rid of for years. I masculinized fairly quickly. I'm not a doctor, so I can't tell you if that was due to my hormones being screwed up with PCOS, or what. But overall, T helped massively.

I had a hysterectomy at 14 months on T in order to have bottom surgery. My ovaries were still covered in cysts but none had ruptured in that time. I also didn't have any cramping or anything like that leading up to my hysterectomy.

Diet has a huge impact on PCOS. Your spouse should consider revamping their diet at the same time they go on T. Most guys experience an increase in appetite from T, which could be an issue if they're eating the same way they're accustomed to.

Acne happens to most guys on T. It's essentially putting yourself through a second puberty, and my experience with my skin has been very similar to how it was during my first puberty. I'm noticing I have more body acne than I did previously, but I think a lot of that is related to how much more I sweat now.

Thank you! That is super helpful!

That is exactly what my spouse wanted to know, I passed that along, thank you!