Thanks for everyone's viewpoint on this so far.

One of the reasons I keep coming back here (as opposed to other places) is that generally it does seem a lot of people get that this is all a very personalized thing. While many can admit they don't understand or agree with choices such as not going on T or not getting surgeries they can also admit that it's not their decision to make for someone else and that's great. I just like it when people think in general.

@Lee - if you have naturally high T levels honestly I think it's wise to see if you can go without. That was the boat I was in and even the smallest dosage seemed to affect me negatively. For instance, I have really normal, low blood pressure and it skyrocketed from the very first shot. Everyone is different though.

@therewolf - Thanks for sharing your experience with a hysto. I'd love to have those defunct parts removed but I'm just not willing to take the risks (makes me wish "psychic surgery" was a real thing!). Like @smooth said there are some serious risks to ANY surgery not just srs, up to and including death. I just can't get myself to go there. I won't even take a prescription drug with crazy side effects. But again, that's just me. I completely understand that sometimes current misery outweighs any other cost.

@squirrel - I love that you're a "gender bender" and that you do seem so much more confident that when I first "met" you on this board!

And @Cindy James - thanks for your insight and comments as well and for taking the time to stroll over here and post

I'm not planning on stopping T. Firstly, because there are still some changes that could further develop, like better facial hair growth and fat redistribution, which has been minimal so far. And that would go back to female patterns upon stopping T, which I really don't want. Especially because my cheeks would get puffy again, and I'd go back to looking like I was 12. Secondly, because I feel better in general when I'm on T- mentally, physically, and emotionally. I start to feel muddled and bogged down if I go too long between injections, and start getting some pretty nasty moodswings, which I used to get quite frequently and are now incredibly rare.

I am happy now, and if I could freeze things the way they are now by going off T, I might find it a better idea. Especially to avoid balding. But things wouldn't freeze, they'd revert a bit. And I just don't think I'd handle that well.

I am glad there are some guys who would be okay with stopping T after a while, though. It'd probably be simpler in several ways, and certainly a relief to not look forward to regular injections for the rest of your life. Over a year on T and I still hate injecting.

I want to get on T, so this monthly mess will be gone.  If I could get a hyster, which is so unlikely at my age, I would still think about getting on T. 

Quote from: mm on January 05, 2012, 11:59:03 AM
I want to get on T, so this monthly mess will be gone.  If I could get a hyster, which is so unlikely at my age, I would still think about getting on T.

Most people after they get a hysterectomy and a oophorectomy still have to take some sort of hormone afterwards because their body begins to lose bone density, among other things. People who don't take any hormone (whether it be estrogen or testosterone) usually have experienced complications.

As Cindy said, everyone has different comfort zones. And whatever makes you most comfortable, you should go with it. I would never stop taking T personally because it is exactly what I needed. I get comfort from knowing that I'm getting genuine (well synthetic in a sense) male hormones. It also comforts me to know I'm thinking and acting based on these hormones, to an extent. For example, I don't get upset over stuff as easily anymore, and I love that! I am also no longer extremely anxious. My mental health is at its peak and I have reached my peak in happiness in my life so far as well. As far as what the hormones bring to me physically, if I don't like the hair I'm getting on my body, or I'm losing hair, I think of it as, "Oh well, I guess I'll have to deal with my dislikes like every other male." That is the only thing that sort of confuses me when people want to pick and choose their likes and dislikes. If you're worried about losing your hair so is every other male out there. And I am also sure there are incredibly hairy men who HATE their body hair. But they deal with it and manage to keep it groomed to their liking. But I know everyone has their own opinion. I'm just saying don't let it take over what your heart really wants. If you are comfortable with taking T, work around your dislikes. If you are comfortable off of T by all means continue your life off T. But as for myself I would never stop. It makes me a whole, authentic being.

JasonRX,  if I can get a total hyster, I would gladly try T for the rest of my life.  It would be so great to be rid of those parts.

Quote from: Liam K on January 04, 2012, 02:31:23 AM
I plan on stopping T.  I'm not entirely sure when, though.  I've been on it for almost a year and a half, and honestly the only thing that's keeping me on it is not wanting to go back to having periods.  I'm really hairy, hairier than I need to be, my voice has pretty much finished changing, I've got a little facial hair, and I finally look older than 16.  My body fat never really redistributed in the first place, so that's not a concern.  And I'd really just rather not be giving myself shots for the rest of my life.  I'm happy with what I look like now, and stopping T makes sense, at least for the time being (though I'll be open to going back on it at a later point).  In an ideal world, I'd like to get a hysto but keep the ovaries in, but I know I can't afford that any time soon.  But I'm pretty sure I'll stop T within the next year or so anyway.

I'm kinda like you on this. I don't know if I'll be on T for the rest of my life. My voice is no where near where it should be at almost 11 months on T so I'm waiting for my voice to get deeper where I'm okay with it.  Like you, not getting my period is another thing keeping me on T.  I don't want to go back to those awful painful cramping again and popping all those pills and working with cramps, it's torture.

Another thing that would put me off T would be going bald. I think I'm balding on the middle of my head...? It could be the way my hair is brushed, but it really bothers me.

If you stop T, does the hair you lost on your head re-grow?

QuoteIf you stop T, does the hair you lost on your head re-grow?

Unfortunately not.

Quote from: Felix on January 05, 2012, 09:59:29 PM
Unfortunately not.

That sucks!