"Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Wednesday announced a new effort to annually screen service members’ testosterone levels and offer testosterone replacement therapy (TRT), framing it as a way to keep troops on the “leading edge of lethality.”
The screening, added as part of war fighters’ periodic health assessment, will affect troops age 30 and older, though those under 30 can voluntarily choose to get the test, Hegseth said in a video message posted to X."
If you’d like the one for Estrogen HRT, ask in the comments and you shall receive.
Image from the Transpeak Discord - unsure of actual source (a clinic?) (if anyone knows, please tell!)
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What is the goal of testosterone therapy?
Testosterone has two main jobs: It causes masculinizing changes to occur throughout the body, and it suppresses the production of estrogen. Some of the changes caused by testosterone are permanent (they would remain if testosterone was stopped), and other changes are reversible.
How is testosterone administered?
Testosterone is available as injections, cream, or gel. Injections are administered either every two weeks intramuscularly (into the muscle) or every week subcutaneously (under the skin). Nursing staff provides injection training here at clinic. Creams and gels are absorbed through the skin and applied daily.
What are the irreversible effects of testosterone?
Testosterone causes voice deepening, clitoral growth, body/facial hair growth, and sometimes male-pattern balding (also influenced by age and genetics). Testosterone may irreversibly affect fertility. Desires for fertility should be considered prior to starting hormones, and for those seeking fertility preservation (or education about fertility preservation), referrals can be made to Lurie’s fertility preservation team.
What are some of the reversible effects of testosterone?
Testosterone causes increased muscle tone, fat redistribution (hips to stomach area), skin oiliness and acne. Mood changes (often irritability, having a “shorter fuse”) and heightened sex drive may occur. Menstrual cycles will change and eventually stop after some time. There may be genital changes caused by low estrogen levels.
What are some of the known side effects and risks of testosterone?
Testosterone may increase your metabolic risk profile — that is, the risk for conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, high cholesterol or blood pressure. The risk for heart disease is higher for people who smoke cigarettes, are overweight or have a family history of heart disease.
Testosterone causes hematocrit, the proportion of red blood cells in a volume of blood, to increase. This blood thickening, at high levels, can be life-threatening, causing stroke or a heart attack.
Testosterone can also cause increased appetite, headaches, and acne.
A low-detail diagram of the upper half of three bodies is displayed. From left to right, the bodies represent having been on testosterone for little to no time (a month or less), a medium amount of time (six to eight months) and a greater amount of time (a year or more).
The diagram is a visual representation of testosterone effects on the body. Hip mass shifts to the stomach area, The adam’s apple grows. Muscle mass grows and shoulders become broader. Facial and body hair grows on the arms, face, and assumably the legs not displayed in the image. The skin gets oily and acne appears on the face.
Testosterone affects: skin, muscle mass, body fat, body hair, voice change.
Increased skin oiliness and acne starts within 1-6 months of testosterone. Its complete effect can be within 1-2 years.
Increased muscle mass and strength starts within 6-12 months of testosterone. Its complete effect can be within 2-5 years. This effect is highly dependent on the amount of exercise one does.
Voice pitch deepening starts within 6-12 months of testosterone. Its complete effect can be within 1-2 years.
Body fat redistribution starts within 3-6 months of testosterone. Its complete effect can be within 2-5 years.
Facial and body hair growth starts within 6-12 months of testosterone. Its complete effect can be within 3-5 years.
Monthly periods stop within 2-6 months of testosterone.
Clitoral enlargement of 0.5 inches to 1 inch begins within 3-6 months of testosterone. Its complete effect can be within 1-2 years.
Male pattern hair loss starts when you have been on testosterone for over a year. Its complete effect date is variable. It depends on age and genetics, and can be minimal.
Sex drive also increases.
How do we monitor for safety?
Labs (bloodwork) are collected prior to starting hormones and every three months for the first year of treatment. In the second year, labs are checked every six months. Tests that are monitored include cholesterol, liver tests, hematocrit, and hormone levels. These labs can be drawn at Lurie’s or a local facility.
How quickly will changes develop?
Remember, it’s normal to want to see changes occur rapidly, but (just like in puberty) these changes take time! Most changes start to begin around 3-6 months after starting testosterone and take years to fully develop.
Will I look like my friend _____?
Remember, everyone experiences puberty differently. Factors other than testosterone (such as genes!) affect appearance. It’s impossible to predict exactly what changes will develop.
It’s important to take the prescribed dose of testosterone. Taking more increases health risks.
Always tell your health care provider if you have questions or concerns about your health.
I wasn't able to get my testosterone today because the pharmacy needed it to go through my insurance. So they sent it back to the clinic and they'll have to talk with my insurance company.
They might need to sign papers that says it's a medical need for me, for insurance to cover it. So now I have to wait for the pharmacy to call back when they get the word. Which will hopefully be next week sometime.
Now I'm upset because I was really looking forward to finally starting testosterone today. So it hurts me that this happened. It's so close but feels so far away. 😭😔
Well I had two doctor appointments today. Had to go in this morning to get blood drawn for testing. Then back this afternoon to get my birth control implant installed and get a pap smear. Also, got my testosterone prescription! 💪🏿🎉🏳️⚧️
The numbing injection they used to help install my implant hurt like a fucking bitch! It felt like stinging and burning at the same time. Plus before this I had to pee in a cup to insure I'm not pregnant. Which to me adds to the awkwardness of it.
Then I had to get a pap smear done. So having to spread eagle for a lady you just met yesterday was pretty uncomfortable. As well as the fact that she had trouble finding my cervix. So she had to remove the tool she was using for a bigger one.
Apparently my discharge was a bit yellow so she also had to swab to see if I have a yeast infection. Turns out I'm also anemic, which really explains a lot about my current health concerns. So now I have to take iron pills every other day.
I'm doing the gel from of testosterone. I take two pumps from the bottle a day and apply it to my skin. Then I have to wait for it to dry completely.
while im talking about ftm hrt stuff u dont hear about a lot when u wanna start, NO ONE TALKS ABOUT how bottom growth (which i LOVE tysm T) makes it different when u wipe after peeing like its a weird TMI thing to talk about i guess but i dont want infections fkakfjsn and u cant just go front to back anymore u kinda adjust to moving ur dick out of the way or going to the side kinda idk any advice is welcome and experiences from other people on HRT
Although I hate sweating so much, I think being on T for a minute and having increased sweat production from it actually helps me manage heat better. Which is like, how sweat works, but I never connected my heat intolerance to my relatively small amount of sweating because I was just someone who didn’t sweat very much. Now I feel disgusting all the time but the water wicks heat away from my body more lmao
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is a treatment that involves taking hormones to supplement the body's natural hormone production. It is often used to treat menopausal symptoms in women, such as hot flashes, night sweats, and vaginal dryness, as well as to prevent osteoporosis. HRT can also be used to treat men with low testosterone levels, a condition known as hypogonadism.
There are several different types of HRT, including estrogen-only therapy, progestogen-only therapy, and combined estrogen and progestogen therapy. Estrogen-only therapy is typically prescribed to women who have had a hysterectomy, while combined therapy is typically prescribed to women who still have their uterus.
HRT can be administered in several different forms, including pills, patches, gels, and creams. The specific type of hormone replacement therapy and the dosage will depend on the individual's needs and medical history.
It is important to note that HRT can have potential risks and side effects, and it is not suitable for everyone. It is important to discuss the potential benefits and risks with a healthcare provider before starting HRT.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF BIOIDENTICAL HORMONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY FOR MEN AND WOMEN?
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can have several potential benefits, depending on the specific type of hormone therapy and the individual's medical needs. Some potential benefits of HRT include:
Relief of menopausal symptoms: HRT can help alleviate common menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, and vaginal dryness.
Osteoporosis prevention: Estrogen therapy can help prevent bone loss and reduce the risk of osteoporosis, a condition that causes bones to become weak and brittle.
Cardiovascular benefits: Some research suggests that estrogen therapy may have protective effects on the heart and blood vessels, although more research is needed to confirm this.
Improved mood: HRT may help improve mood and cognitive function in some women experiencing menopausal symptoms.
Improved sleep: HRT may help improve sleep patterns in some women experiencing menopausal symptoms.
It is important to note that the potential benefits of HRT vary from person to person and depend on the specific type and dosage of hormone therapy. It is important to discuss the potential benefits and risks with a healthcare provider before starting HRT.
WHAT ARE THE DISADVANTAGES OF BIOIDENTICAL HORMONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY?
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can have several potential risks and side effects, depending on the specific type of hormone therapy and the individual's medical needs. Some potential risks and side effects of HRT include:
Increased risk of blood clots: HRT can increase the risk of blood clots, which can cause serious complications such as deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism.
Increased risk of stroke: Some studies have found that HRT may increase the risk of stroke, particularly in women who smoke or have a history of stroke or heart attack.
Increased risk of breast cancer: Some studies have found that HRT may increase the risk of breast cancer, particularly in women who use combined estrogen and progestogen therapy.
Increased risk of uterine cancer: HRT may increase the risk of uterine cancer in women who use combined estrogen and progestogen therapy.
Increased risk of gallbladder disease: HRT may increase the risk of gallbladder disease in some women.
It is important to note that the potential risks and side effects of HRT vary from person to person and depend on the specific type and dosage of hormone therapy. It is important to discuss the potential benefits and risks with a healthcare provider before starting HRT.
Book an appointment today at HealthyME Medical Therapies in Miami with Dr. Carlos Sanchez to go through blood work and hormone testing.
HealthyME Medical Therapies
9600 NE 2nd Ave
Miami, FL 33138
(786) 731-4238
Well my friends today is officially the day! This is the last photograph of me before I start T!!!!
I’ve been over the moon excited and emotional about having this little vial in my hand. Thank you all for supporting me and being there for me through this journey.
I will be posting updates of course as time goes on. Mostly for myself but also for any of the older trans people out there fearing it may be too late. I’m proof now it’s absolutely not too late.
Stay safe out there. Take care of yourselves and be nice to each other.
