Through my time researching changes people have experienced on T (either through YouTube videos or Hudson's FTM Guide and things like that) I've heard things mentioned about emotional changes. I see a lot of discussion by people about their physical changes on T, but I don't think quite a lot has been gone into about what changes people have felt mentally and emotionally (except changes in libido and such). I myself am not on T yet, and I know a lot of others aren't either because of waiting or choice, but for those who are or have been I'm curious to know what sort of changes you've experienced. Personally I think something like this might be very hard to explain to someone who hasn't been on T, but perhaps it can be done. I've tried searching for some discussion like this on the message board but the function doesn't work very well and I couldn't really find anything, unfortunately. I've heard things such as it being harder to cry, and changes in the way people mentally deal with scenarios in their lives. Also, I am wondering about the timeline of these sorts of changes, and if it is something one experiences immediately or over a longer period of time before it becomes really noticeable to people. For those who have noticed changes, did they affect you in a positive or negative way? Are there some changes you didn't like so much compared to others? Just thought it might be an interesting thing to discuss, I'm really interested to see what you guys have to say.

More emotional stability overall. I no longer have a wide range of moods, which I consider very positive because emotions just get in the way and cloud judgement. I never feel hopelessness and despair like I did pre-T and I never cry. I feel negative emotions instead in the form of physical rage, and instead of crying might punch something. But it's not like over the top explosive rage; it's just what you'd expect from any male my age.

I'm no longer sentimental or sensitive. I am more rational and clear-headed.

I consider all these changes positive.

I've been on T for 15-16 months, and I first noticed these changes around 6 months. But I had a low dose at the time, about half of what people usually start on.

This is a good question. I think you'll get a lot of "I was less emotional" answers. For me, what's normal for my own body I've found really has nothing to do with the standard norm (for a female bodied person). This is kind of hard to explain but I've always had a "drive" to just set my mind to do something and do it. I've talked to other guys and that seems to be a "guy thing" in some ways. That you have more focus. However, the short time I decided to try T, that got unbalanced for me. I can't explain why but I lost that. Instead I got angry - a lot. Like I was already prone to fits of rage and supplementing just pushed me over the edge. Any little thing would set me off and it wasn't very controllable. I knew that wasn't a good thing. At least normally I'm able to be rational. It seemed more overblown than the "average male" to me as well. I know guys are more prone to physical rage but yeah I knew I couldn't handle being like that. Also, sex drive did increase to an uncomfortable point. Another thing I noticed was it was very hard to control that as well. Basically just harder to control certain emotions and feelings. So it wasn't like it made me less emotional at all, it just enhanced what I considered negative emotions. And I still managed to cry while on it - mostly because I was THAT miserable! And not like I haven't seen other guys cry. Sadness is a human emotion. It's not restricted by gender. If you're feeling "nothing" though, personally I don't think that's very healthy.

But this is where it gets interesting because you'll get a lot of different answers from everyone. Some feel that the T totally does level them out or makes them feel great. So while it's interesting to get all the different viewpoints, you still aren't going to know how it's going to effect you until it's actually in your system. Everyone has "normal" hormone levels for them. Yes, there's a set medical standard for what's normal, but then there's individualized normal.

I consider the majority of my emotional changes to be positive.  At the moment, I can't really think of a negative emotional change that I've had.  Even my patience has increased on T.  I'm happier and have better mood stability.  I'm more outgoing and confident.  I still cry/tear up at emotional moments in movies, television, news stories, etc., but I rarely cry in everyday situations like I did pre-T.  The last time I remember doing that was over a year ago after a verbal beat-down by a prejudiced instructor who suggested I switch careers because I wasn't good enough.

These changes have been gradual.  I find with each step I take--presenting "full-time" as male, getting on T, legally changing my name/gender marker, having top surgery--that I'm happier and more positive.  Life is far from perfect, but now I actually want to live it.

I think overall the emotional changes I've experienced haven't been negative or positive-they're simply neutral. I still have the same feelings I just express them differently. I cry when I watch sad movies or read depressing articles in the newspaper but I've pretty much stopped crying about my personal problems. My personal problems still upset me as much as they did pre-t but I don't express it by crying anymore.

A lot of guys say they have a shorter temper after starting t. However, my endo has been working with ftms for 20 years and he said generally people report feeling calmer and more stable. It's possible that some of the feelings of calmness come from no longer having to worry about starting t.

My emotions have leveled out a lot, and I feel less complicated.

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