Changes in the voice may begin within a few weeks of starting to take testosterone, first with an itchy feeling in the throat or a sense of hoarseness. Testosterone will cause the vocal cords to thicken, making the voice sound more masculine. However, not all trans men will experience a total deepening of the tone of their voice with testosterone. Some may find that practicing various vocal techniques or working with a speech therapist can help them develop a voice that is more comfortable and appropriate for them.
Then your voice may break down a bit as you find your new tone and quality. TRT should bring your testosterone levels back to normal fairly quickly and should begin to alleviate some of your symptoms right away. During the first week of taking TRT, you may notice improvements in your sexual desire, sexual function, mood, and possibly energy levels. A study published in The Aging Male found that, after 12 months of testosterone therapy, the percentage of men with moderate to severe symptoms of depression decreased from 17 to 2 percent.
And a large randomized trial of testosterone, the T trials, showed that men who received testosterone had a greater improvement in mood than men who received a placebo. For many users, some physical and psychological changes can start right away. Some physical effects may include thickening of the skin (which can also affect the feeling you feel when you touch it), increased oil and sweat production and, in some cases, acne. Remember that a sudden increase in your testosterone level compared to the level your body is used to may be similar to that of puberty.
Testosterone has a range of effects on the male body. This review attempts to determine, based on published studies, the temporal evolution of the effects induced by testosterone replacement therapy from its first manifestation until maximum effects are reached. It should be noted that almost none of the studies cited were specifically designed to evaluate the temporal evolution of the effects. Some studies measure the effects of testosterone only after 3 months (3) and, in particular, the effects on libido and erections have occurred long before this time period (14, 6).
We have observed significant differences in the occurrence of the effects of testosterone. The effects on libido and other psychological variables and the effects on the vasculature occur quite rapidly. It is quite possible that these effects are not mediated by the classic androgen receptor, but by other mechanisms, such as effects on membranes (6,. In addition, the effects on erection occur quite rapidly and can be explained in part by non-genomic effects on the vascular erectile tissue of the penis (8).
A relatively small number of men experience immediate side effects of testosterone supplementation, such as acne, breathing disorders while sleeping (worsening of sleep apnea), breast swelling or tenderness, or swelling in the ankles. Doctors also monitor high red blood cell counts, which may increase the risk of blood clots. 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. If this happens, the doctor will likely stop treatment for a month or two to allow the breast tissue to return to normal and then resume testosterone with testosterone along with a medication that blocks the conversion of testosterone to estradiol.
We understand that starting testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) can be overwhelming, but many patients are surprised at how simple and manageable it really is once they experience it firsthand. For the treating physician, it will be easier to control the effects of administering testosterone when he knows when certain effects can and should be expected. Those who start taking testosterone later in life may experience less overall facial hair development than those who start at a younger age. If a man's testosterone is below the normal range, it's best to repeat it one more time to be safe before starting testosterone therapy, often keeping it indefinitely.
The latter varies inversely with the initial testosterone concentration and predicts the magnitude and speed of the response to treatment. You can expect to develop a pattern of body hair similar to that of other men in your family; however, remember that everyone is different and that the final results may take 5 years or more. If patients have not been exposed to testosterone at the usual time of puberty, they should be prepared and counseled about the onset of sexual thoughts and dreams, the increase in erections and seminal emissions, and when to expect them. The effects on sexual interest appear after 3 weeks and stabilize after 6 weeks, and no further increases are expected thereafter. While it is possible to adjust medications and dosage to achieve certain specific goals, the way in which the body changes in response to hormones depends more on genetics and the age at which you start taking it, than on the specific dose, route, frequency, or types of medications taken.
While gender-affirming hormone therapy generally improves mood, some people may experience mood changes or a worsening of anxiety, depression, or other mental health conditions as a result of changes associated with the onset of a second puberty. Read on for an overview of some of the most likely things you can expect in your first weeks and months with testosterone. That said, surgeons usually recommend waiting at least 6 to 12 months after starting testosterone treatment before undergoing masculinizing chest surgery, also known as upper surgery, to first allow the contours of the muscles and soft tissues of the chest wall to adapt to their new pattern. If the second test confirms that your levels are low and you commit to making the necessary lifestyle changes with realistic expectations, testosterone replacement therapy (TRT).) can change your life.
