I also voted for him. After checking the leaderboard, he isn't just in the lead, he's crushing his competition!

This is the story that got the Aydian Dowling celebrity started. Hopefully, he doesn't get a big head from all of this.

http://www.buzzfeed.com/jasonrobertb...levine-p-1c4ex

I'd love to see how people reacted to him, if he ever walked into a women's bathroom, here in Florida!

haha Indeed!

Army soldier becomes first openly trans person in the military! Sgt Shane Ortega

I am glad to see some massive positive posts about trans folks!

I wish there were more positive lately then negative to read about.

Fantastic -- back in the day, I had an appointment to West Point. I blew it off, much to my dad's chagrin, because I couldn't stand being in those clothes, as a woman ... seems so silly now. Nobody ever said 17 was a smart age.

Penis transplant
 

This is the first time I have seen a penis transplant research team mention the potential for FTM patients.

http://www.smithsonianmag.com/scienc...nor-180954639/

I personally can't see myself doing this, but I thought others might find it interesting.

Document Change
 

In Australia each State seems to have differing laws concerning name change, gender etc.
In Western Australia you cant legaly change from M2F without undergoing SrS, however i was given an exemption due to medical issues, i can also tick 'other' or have Intersex registered on some forms, documents etc.
Its a bit complicated and annoying, but Australia never seems to take a step forward in anything, just 3 steps backwards...

I was given the option but I chose the shots. I've been injecting once a week for 12 years and no problems at all. I get checked twice a year for everything. :)

Bolus is what happens when you inject. I copied this from a site regarding T injections since I didn't know how to explain it: "When you inject your T, it forms a bolus in the middle of your muscle (if it’s an intramuscular injection) or fat (if it’s subcutaneous). A bolus is a big lump of T that will release into your bloodstream over time."

The main risk of long term injectable T is developing polycythemia, which is a high increase of red blood cells. It can lead to clots which can cause the strokes and coronary syndromes you mentioned. It's usually treated by taking one baby aspirin per day and quitting smoking, if you smoke.

To clarify, though, you aren't saying that transmen who take T are at any higher risk for developing this than natal men, correct?

As an aside, you have been doing IM for all 12 years, I assume? Have you considered trying out sub-q?

I can't imagine doing IM. I am glad sub-q was available when I started.

I doubt transmen are at a higher risk, but I don't know the specifics. I can look into it more.

I was off of T for one of those years due to medical reasons not related to being on T or being trans.

I did try sub-q a few times but my moods seemed to shift. I went back to IM and no more mood shifts. I assume that's because the dosage for IM vs SQ are different and mine wasn't adjusted correctly.

Gemme, I was given the option of gel and I did use it a bit at first. I didn't like it. It was sticky and with the brand I had (Testim), you weren't supposed to have contact with a person until you washed it off (not the two hour wait some gels state). The cost is higher than injections. It is true that daily application keeps a more steady dose of T in the body. Historically, FTMs would inject every two weeks intramuscular. Now every 10 days for intramuscular or every 7 days for sub-q is the most common.

Sub-q is started to gain some acceptance and validity in the U.S. Like other new medical approaches it started in the urban areas (due being close to research hospitals and such)and slowly moving out. This is what I do. Weekly shot into the fat. Painless (pretty much...it is like giving yourself insulin, I suspect).

I know of only one guy that is on the patches. He is in Europe.

Europe's most common testosterone method is undecanoate (less shots, longer acting). I personally wouldn't even consider being open to doing that until at least a year of being on a consistent dose.

I snagged this dosing schedule for undecanoate off this site

DOSING: Males over 18 years of age: The recommended dose of testosterone undecanoate is 750 mg (3 ml) intramuscularly; followed by 750 mg (3 ml) intramuscularly after 4 weeks, then 750 mg (3 ml) intramuscularly every 10 weeks thereafter.


Even if I had been taking the same dose for a long period of time, I would hesitate on signing up for an injection of a medicine that I could have problems with taking...but I would have to wait to get rid of it? 10 weeks? All just for convenience? No thanks.

I worry about this being prescribed for early transitioners. Everyones response to T is different. One guy may need half the dose tht the other guy needs. It take some to figure it all out. I have read cases of a guy having his first injection and then a week later going onto nebido. I would they would at least wait to change after his blook work (at 3 months), to tell you if his levels are in the right place.

Anyway, I am dozzing off here, actually even closing my eyes while I am typing. ha. night.

I've been injecting T intramuscularly for 16 years now, (.5cc weekly) without any problems...knock on wood. :) I admittedly take it less often now, no special reason other than I sometimes simply forget about taking it until I realize I am long overdue. At this point I doubt I would consider switching things up and trying the sub-q route, as interesting as it sounds, simply because why fix what's not broken? The intramuscular method has worked well for me.

I am interested in hearing from guys who do try the sub-q, and of their personal experiences using that method of injection.

I can see myself being less than eager to change if something has been working for me and I am comfortable with it. The concern with IM is scar tissue buildup in the muscle. Since subq it is injected into the fat, that is not an issue.

I like the small needles, and hardly feel the needle going in. However, like I said in my other post, I have never tried IM.

You may enjoy this article:

http://transguys.com/ref/research/su...ous-injections