REVERSIBLE CHANGES · Increased appetite, weight gain and fluid retention. Now let's take a look at the reversible changes. Keep in mind that these changes may change again if you stop taking T. Although they are mostly reversible, these changes vary from person to person. Increased appetite, weight gain and fluid retention The prominence of veins and thicker skin.
Acne on the face, back and chest, especially in the first few years of treatment, which, if severe, can cause permanent scarring. Some of the effects of hormone therapy are reversible if you stop taking them. The degree to which they can be reversed depends on how long you have been taking testosterone. Clitoral growth, facial hair growth, voice changes, and male pattern baldness are not reversible. Some changes caused by hormones are permanent.
For example, people who take feminizing hormones experience breast development, which won't go away if they later stop taking hormones. People who take masculinizing hormones experience several permanent changes (voice sharpening, facial and body hair growth, scalp hair loss, and clitoral enlargement), which will not go away if they later stop taking hormones. The long-term effects of hormone therapy on a person's fertility are not fully understood. Thinking about your goals will help you communicate more effectively with your medical provider as you work together to map out your care plan.
Consider the effects of hormone therapy as if it were a second puberty, and puberty usually takes years to see all its effects. Some of the physical changes caused by masculinizing hormone therapy can be reversed if you stop taking testosterone. Now that you've learned about the effects of masculinizing hormone therapy, as well as the risks and specific medication options, the next step will be to talk to your provider about what approach is best for you. Regardless of the type of testosterone you're taking, it's important to know that taking more testosterone won't make your changes go faster, but it could cause serious side effects or complications. Once you've reached adequate testosterone levels for men, taking higher doses won't cause faster or more dramatic changes; however, they can cause more side effects or complications.
Studies have shown that using a smaller needle and injecting it subcutaneously or subcutaneously is as effective as the intramuscular approach, which involves an injection with a larger needle that is injected deeper into the muscle. These hormones can cause mood changes, bloating and other side effects, so it's recommended that you talk more about these medications with your provider if you are going to use them. Starting hormone therapy at age 40, 50, or older may cause less dramatic changes than those seen at the beginning of the transition at a younger age, due to cumulative lifetime exposure to estrogen and decreased responsiveness to hormonal effects as the age of menopause approaches. Smoking and vaping can have negative health effects, especially if you take estrogen as part of hormone replacement therapy.
Research has shown that masculinizing hormone therapy can be safe and effective when administered by a health professional experienced in caring for transgender people.
