Ask a trans person!

[JDeere]

Thank you Dapper, I will pm you when I am fully awake and can truly comprehend all of it. I just got back home from being out.

[The Oopster]

Don't know if anyone that can answer this comes on here but not really the question I want to put on my Facebook page.

I've talked to one person but would like to others experience on this.

Has anyone stopped or lowered their testosterone after chest surgery and having a complete hysterectomy?

I'm going to make an appointment in February to talk with my dr when I'm back in his area. Meanwhile I haven't take one since I think Oct. My hysterectomy was done at the end of November. I really haven't felt it necessary and am thinking of holding off till then just to see what it does to my hormone levels and blood counts. At this point I just not sure what the advantages to continuing it would be.

My energy level has been pretty damn good, frame of mind, etc. I don't really care what happens to my facial hair and I got a pretty low voice.

I actually think part of my feeling well might be because my red blood count is leveling out. That its being high was helping me feel sluggish. In fact surgery probably helped that also since I have donated for a while and they didn't have to give me any I probably lost enough to lower the count also.

any experience?

[DapperButch]

Originally Posted by The Oopster

Don't know if anyone that can answer this comes on here but not really the question I want to put on my Facebook page.

I've talked to one person but would like to others experience on this.

Has anyone stopped or lowered their testosterone after chest surgery and having a complete hysterectomy?

I'm going to make an appointment in February to talk with my dr when I'm back in his area. Meanwhile I haven't take one since I think Oct. My hysterectomy was done at the end of November. I really haven't felt it necessary and am thinking of holding off till then just to see what it does to my hormone levels and blood counts. At this point I just not sure what the advantages to continuing it would be.

My energy level has been pretty damn good, frame of mind, etc. I don't really care what happens to my facial hair and I got a pretty low voice.

I actually think part of my feeling well might be because my red blood count is leveling out. That its being high was helping me feel sluggish. In fact surgery probably helped that also since I have donated for a while and they didn't have to give me any I probably lost enough to lower the count also.

any experience?

Removing breasts wouldn't impact T levels.

I have heard around 4 guys talk about this. All 4 said they needed the same amount of T in order to keep the same T levels after removal of their ovaries. I find that interesting because I would think that your body no longer fighting estrogen would mean less testosterone needed for the same amount of T in the body.

I have read that orchidectomy does result in MTFs being able to take much less, or no T blockers.

My understanding is that our bodies need to have one hormone or the other, so it isn't wise to not take any hormones. It negatively impacts things like bone strength. Please consider calling your physician. Maybe you only need to take a small amount to stay healthy.

[Nadeest]

I do not know the answer to your question, sorry. With that being said, I do know that transwomen who have had an orchi or SRS no longer need the anti-androgens that they had been taking. They also generally cut their estrogen dosage by about 1/2, from what I have learned, over the years.

I can also say that I am definitely looking forwards to when I no longer have to take that danged anti-androgen. I love the blocking testosterone effect, but............ it is also a diuretic, and that part, I do not enjoy at all.

[The Oopster]

I appreciate the responses however I really am looking for peoples personal experience.

[DapperButch]

Originally Posted by The Oopster

I appreciate the responses however I really am looking for peoples personal experience.

I understand that. Just for your knowledge, I am basing my comments on what 3-4 transmen have said on a trans message board I frequent.

I will PM you a link to the FTM section of that site that has a Testosterone forum, specifically. That would be a good place to ask your question.

[Linus]

Originally Posted by The Oopster

Don't know if anyone that can answer this comes on here but not really the question I want to put on my Facebook page.

I've talked to one person but would like to others experience on this.

Has anyone stopped or lowered their testosterone after chest surgery and having a complete hysterectomy?

I'm going to make an appointment in February to talk with my dr when I'm back in his area. Meanwhile I haven't take one since I think Oct. My hysterectomy was done at the end of November. I really haven't felt it necessary and am thinking of holding off till then just to see what it does to my hormone levels and blood counts. At this point I just not sure what the advantages to continuing it would be.

My energy level has been pretty damn good, frame of mind, etc. I don't really care what happens to my facial hair and I got a pretty low voice.

I actually think part of my feeling well might be because my red blood count is leveling out. That its being high was helping me feel sluggish. In fact surgery probably helped that also since I have donated for a while and they didn't have to give me any I probably lost enough to lower the count also.

any experience?

I don't recall stopping it for chest surgery and I'm looking at doing a hysto for the possibility of lowering how often I take shots. (I range on fear of needles from ok to near catatonic some times -- it's weird since I self-inject). My general GP recommended me to a gyno for a hysto who believes that having that done will help with me reducing t shots since there will no longer be a fight between hormones. I'll probably be exploring this in 2015 along with possible further bottom surgery.

[Rufusboi]

Originally Posted by The Oopster

Don't know if anyone that can answer this comes on here but not really the question I want to put on my Facebook page.

I've talked to one person but would like to others experience on this.

Has anyone stopped or lowered their testosterone after chest surgery and having a complete hysterectomy?

I'm going to make an appointment in February to talk with my dr when I'm back in his area. Meanwhile I haven't take one since I think Oct. My hysterectomy was done at the end of November. I really haven't felt it necessary and am thinking of holding off till then just to see what it does to my hormone levels and blood counts. At this point I just not sure what the advantages to continuing it would be.

My energy level has been pretty damn good, frame of mind, etc. I don't really care what happens to my facial hair and I got a pretty low voice.

I actually think part of my feeling well might be because my red blood count is leveling out. That its being high was helping me feel sluggish. In fact surgery probably helped that also since I have donated for a while and they didn't have to give me any I probably lost enough to lower the count also.

any experience?

Oopster

I had a complete hysterectomy when I was in my 20's. For years I did not take any hormone replacement. When I went to an endocrinologist to talk about transitioning he informed me I needed to be on some sort of hormone because my body was not producing any hormones which was affecting my health and bone density. He said because my body was not producing any hormone I either need to take estrogen or testosterone. Since I have been on testosterone for 3 years my energy level has risen and I am never sick.

My suggestion is to talk to your doctor before making a decision.

Rufus

[JDeere]

Any of y'all know where I can get a good binder, nothing super expensive, I am big chested and need another binder. I have 2x right now but its not enough compression on top.

Any idea or suggestions?

[DapperButch]

JDeere, you will find more information on products for FTMs if you look at this thread: http://www.butchfemmeplanet.com/foru...read.php?t=608 rather than looking through this one.

If you read the OP, this thread is supposed to be for general questions from non-trans people. I know that trans guys have also come in here and asked questions of other trans guys recently, but I think you will get more answers from transmen if you make a new thread, or use an existing one. The title of this thread is actually a "carry over" from another site, so I think a lot of old transguy members pass by it unless they want to answer non-trans people's questions.

With that said, let me see if I can help.

Originally Posted by JDeere

Any of y'all know where I can get a good binder, nothing super expensive, I am big chested and need another binder. I have 2x right now but its not enough compression on top.

Any idea or suggestions?

There are two binders that I would say are by far and away the most popular binders, due to how well they work, but also lower cost than other quality binders. They are made by Underworks and have been around for many years (you may already know about them):

http://www.f2mbinders.com/product/pr...ank/360?cid=61

The above is what most people call the "997".



http://www.f2mbinders.com/product/pr...der/355?cid=61

This above most call the Tri Top.



Typically you hear of heavier guys preferring the full length one because if they get the tri top the compression causes their stomach to push out more.

The only other company that I have consistently heard people like is lesloveboat.com They are more expensive though, but a lot of people find them more comfortable.

I used the Tri Top for many years, prior to top surgery.

What brand(s) are you using right now?


______________
"The Trans Zone" isn't used often, so I would love if it became more active.

Glad you came in because it seems like most of the transguys that come to BFP and post in this Zone are members who have been around for many years. it is good to get new blood (testosterone infused or not! )

[JDeere]

Oh crap my bad! I didn't think to read the OP but now I know!

I am wearing an underworks style 473, I actually won it in an online contest. I think I might need to switch to the 997, no tri top for me cuz I got the bulge going!

Thanks again for the help, I am going to look into getting a 997 and see if that works.

[DapperButch]

Originally Posted by JDeere

Oh crap my bad! I didn't think to read the OP but now I know!

I am wearing an underworks style 473, I actually won it in an online contest. I think I might need to switch to the 997, no tri top for me cuz I got the bulge going!

Thanks again for the help, I am going to look into getting a 997 and see if that works.

Here is another up and coming binder. I would say outside of Underworks, it is the only brand I have seen a significant number of transguys say works for them. It has only been out for the last 4 months or so.

http://www.gc2b.co/#!store/c205c/collections/all/1

[JDeere]

Originally Posted by DapperButch

Here is another up and coming binder. I would say outside of Underworks, it is the only brand I have seen a significant number of transguys say works for them. It has only been out for the last 4 months or so.

http://www.gc2b.co/#!store/c205c/collections/all/1

This one looks like something more up my alley, Thanks again!

[Satiated]

I've debated for the last hour, whether I wanted to post my ramblings here or not. I tend to be a private sorta lady, but my need to understand has overwhelmed me so, here I be.

1. This isn't a medical question, more an emotional one directed at the Males partaking in this thread.

2. Where as my ex partner isn't here to add his two cents, I have nothing ill to say. He was a dynamite butch befor his transition, and now is just an incredible guy after.

For the most part, I have tossed around the idea of dropping the status label of lesbian these days, and just referring to myself as femme. Why you wonder, I'm blubbering about this here? Because randomly 5 years ago, my long term butch girlfriend stated she wanted to become a man and transition. I was shocked, angry, sad and various other things. Bottom line, I supported her right up till he was born.

Surgeries, hormones, and varies other things rocked us apart, but I remained diligent. I loved this persons soul. At this stage, I considered us a hetro couple. Something, I'd never thought I'd say, do or be. But, I did.

Things smoothed after the initial year, and then the confession came. " I can't date a lesbian, you like women. " I said yes, that's a fact, but I also love you, and you are male.

To no avail he dumped me, to date straight women.

Yet, here I see many Ftm's surrounding themselves with all sorts of labels.

So, all this rambling aside...

Have any of you males that transitioned ever felt your current (or at the time partner) looked at you as being anything but whom you are now?

[Feasting Panther]

Originally Posted by Leigh

I personally also want to thank you for starting this thread Linus. I have been going through alot lately when it comes to questioning My gender, and after going to an FTM group meeting at the local GLBT community center this past Tuesday I feel that I am more sure about alot of things than I was before. I sat among eight FTM's and listened to their struggles, their coming out stories, how they feel now and felt before about their change and even though most of them were on T and have been for awhile I felt Myself nodding and identifying with each of them.

I guess I have a few questions that I will start out with, since I know that we have all started somewhere. I'll begin with just a few basic ones:

1) When did you begin feeling like you were different?

2) Did you always know that you should have been born the opposite sex, or did that come abit later though you always knew you were different?

3) When did you decide to come out, and how did you come out?


I am out as trans (FTM) to certain people that I know online as well as those at the FTM group I attended but not to anyone else. A big part of Me wants to come out to family and friends so I can finally outright be who I am on the inside, but there is still that part of Me that is scared to do so. I am really looking to just connect with other FTM's (as well as MTF's) and relate to those who have gone through the journey, or perhaps those like Me really just beginning it, so that I can know that I'm not alone.

Hi, Being M-T-F i never had a coming out with family etc. At age 14 the family Dr told my parents i may have a condition known then as 'Gender Identity Disorder' or Harry Benjamin's Condition, I also have Klinefelters Syndrome Or xxy47 so I was very different as a Boy, if you aw pics of me before HRT i appear neither Male or Femail.
I left home at 15 (Ran Away) ended up in the military where i became heavily involved in Physical Training and Extreme Sport. After leaving the Military due to a Sexual Assault and Bastardization i went to a Psych who said i had a sexuality disorder and gave me a course of anti-psychs and ECT.
I was screwed up and went to Sydney and worked in a Bakery in the heart of Sydney's GAY Area 'Oxford St', my boss asked me once if i was gay, but i said no, im a Girl, he was a kind man and i saw a counselor which he paid for, she told me i had Gender Dysphoria.
I didn't Transition till a lot later for fear of losing my family, which happened anyway, i'm lived for a while as a femme womyn, but I'm more into the beach and fitness and also found attitudes in the Trans* Community stifling, im happiest in jeans and a tee riding my bike. I didn't have major issues with hormones and my body developed very quickly, with my dr and endo allowing me some personal freedom and responsibility with my hormone level doses.
I feel because i never identified as a Male, just lived that role my Transition is kind of unusual compared to most ive met, my voice is in the femail range, i have no Adams apple or manly features to worry about mainly, due to being xxy.
So thats my little life story, Take Care.

[Melissa]

Originally Posted by Satiated

I've debated for the last hour, whether I wanted to post my ramblings here or not. I tend to be a private sorta lady, but my need to understand has overwhelmed me so, here I be.

1. This isn't a medical question, more an emotional one directed at the Males partaking in this thread.

2. Where as my ex partner isn't here to add his two cents, I have nothing ill to say. He was a dynamite butch befor his transition, and now is just an incredible guy after.

For the most part, I have tossed around the idea of dropping the status label of lesbian these days, and just referring to myself as femme. Why you wonder, I'm blubbering about this here? Because randomly 5 years ago, my long term butch girlfriend stated she wanted to become a man and transition. I was shocked, angry, sad and various other things. Bottom line, I supported her right up till he was born.

Surgeries, hormones, and varies other things rocked us apart, but I remained diligent. I loved this persons soul. At this stage, I considered us a hetro couple. Something, I'd never thought I'd say, do or be. But, I did.

Things smoothed after the initial year, and then the confession came. " I can't date a lesbian, you like women. " I said yes, that's a fact, but I also love you, and you are male.

To no avail he dumped me, to date straight women.

Yet, here I see many Ftm's surrounding themselves with all sorts of labels.

So, all this rambling aside...

Have any of you males that transitioned ever felt your current (or at the time partner) looked at you as being anything but whom you are now?

I read your post with a lot of interest. I am not sure I can be of much help. I am married to an FTM but I identify as lesbian and as femme. I have kept this identity all through his transition. He has been supportive of that. We have been together 8 years and married 5 years in October.

I have been with him through the whole transition. We talked a lot before, during and after his hormones and all his surgeries. I have to admit I was afraid of losing my id as lesbian and femme. As you probably experienced, it is a weird "head trip" when it comes to labels and identity. I wondered if I would lose my identity as he transitioned.

Everyday I am perceived as a hetero married woman, an identity set I never thought would ever apply to me. In my mind I am lesbian, femme, queer. My husband who formerly identified as an old school butch now Ids as male and hetero.

A couple of years ago I came across an article by an FTM who said it was highly disrespectful and insulting for the partners of FTMs to continue to id as lesbian. As soon as I read this I asked my husband if he found it insulting that I identified as lesbian and would he prefer I id as straight? He said something along the lines of "hell no, what difference does it make to me how you id." So that was that. I have asked him the same question a couple of times since and I get the same answer.

I guess it really depends on the person. Some guys will be opposed to you holding on to your lesbian identity and some, like my husband do not see it as a problem or a threat or insult to his identity.

Personally, I do not think we should be required to change how we id. I still love my husband and he knows that. I loved him as a butch I love him as a man. He is still the same person, same personality, same sense of humor, same habits, he has always had.

When I read that article a few years ago I was surprised that this idea was out there that holding on to our lesbian id was something negative or hurtful. I am sad that some people think that. FOr me, I have come to realize how all these labels are really sort of meaningless. I sometimes think that I id as lesbian because I am just comfortable with that. It is an id I have had for over 25 years. I am just used to it. That is how I view myself even though the world now perceives me as a hetero married woman. Which still blows my mind

[Miss Scarlett]

Not sure where to post this or if it's already been discussed anywhere on the site.

Late last night I came across a 2004 documentary on Showtime called "The Opposite Sex: Rene's Story."

Here's the plot summary from IMDB:

"Rene, 31, a female-to-male gender reassignment candidate took hormones for years and "passed" as a man for all of his adult life. Married to his high-school sweetheart, Wona, a heterosexual woman, for 12 years, no one would guess Rene was biologically a woman. Living under a veil of secrecy and lies, Rene and Wona's lives seemed fine until someone "outed" the couple at their beloved church and everything they knew was destroyed. The public revelation of Rene's secret starts to unravel his marriage to Wona. Through all of it, Rene continues to hold on to his lifelong obsession to become a biological male and goes on a cross-country search to find the best transgender surgeon, only to discover that the current surgery options are flawed. At the last minute, Rene finds a surgeon who has created an experimental procedure, which will be seen in THE OPPOSITE SEX for the first time. - Written by Showtime Synopsis"

This, and the second in the series "The Opposite Sex: Jaime's Story" about a transwoman's journey, will be running on Showtime until late June if anyone is interested.

Has anyone seen these? If so, what did you think?

[DapperButch]

Originally Posted by Miss Scarlett

Not sure where to post this or if it's already been discussed anywhere on the site.

Late last night I came across a 2004 documentary on Showtime called "The Opposite Sex: Rene's Story."

Here's the plot summary from IMDB:

"Rene, 31, a female-to-male gender reassignment candidate took hormones for years and "passed" as a man for all of his adult life. Married to his high-school sweetheart, Wona, a heterosexual woman, for 12 years, no one would guess Rene was biologically a woman. Living under a veil of secrecy and lies, Rene and Wona's lives seemed fine until someone "outed" the couple at their beloved church and everything they knew was destroyed. The public revelation of Rene's secret starts to unravel his marriage to Wona. Through all of it, Rene continues to hold on to his lifelong obsession to become a biological male and goes on a cross-country search to find the best transgender surgeon, only to discover that the current surgery options are flawed. At the last minute, Rene finds a surgeon who has created an experimental procedure, which will be seen in THE OPPOSITE SEX for the first time. - Written by Showtime Synopsis"

This, and the second in the series "The Opposite Sex: Jaime's Story" about a transwoman's journey, will be running on Showtime until late June if anyone is interested.

Has anyone seen these? If so, what did you think?

No, I haven't seen it, but the way the plot summary is written makes it sound rather dramatic and like the FTM person was living in the 1970's.

There were a number of quality, competent gender confirmation surgeons in the U.S. by 2004. No reason for a "cross country search". <eye roll>. A one minute google search would have brought up the surgeons.

Experimental procedure? A procedure that was perhaps trying to be improved, but the two main genital procedures for men have been around forever. And the "current surgery options are flawed?". I wonder why they are still doing them, then. Sure they are getting better and better, but give me a break!

Sorry, but the way the plot summary is written presents the person as a freak and like he should be with a traveling freak show from the 1800's due to his "life long obsession" to "be a biological man" (which a natal female never becomes, by the way), as if he is the only person out there who feels they were born into the wrong body.

Very insulting.

Too insulting to watch.

ETA: I found out he went to Peter Raphael who "invented" the centurion, which is just a variation of the not new metoidioplasty. He started doing it in 2002, so Rene's surgery was not done earlier than that.

Sorry, Miss Scarlett, my frustration isn't meant for you. It is for showtime and their "synopsis" and no doubt presentation of the film. Right now the media needs to see trans people for what we are. Normal people who have some gender variance of differing levels. We don't need to be seen as oddities.

[Hominid]

Ditto what Dapper said. My guess is it is full of judgments about what a "proper" penis is, and likely took on the opinions of this one transman in regard to his choices. If anyone's spent any time in active online forums for FtM's and surgery (both top and bottom), they are replete with versions of "my (existing or planned) cock/chest is better than yours". Heck, I even wonder if this guy is someone in particular who proclaimed in many places that he (unlike others) had spent many years in search of the best option and he alone had the answer because of his extensive research.

Perhaps not entirely fair since I haven't seen it, neither do I plan to. The synopsis is plenty for me, thank you!

Originally Posted by DapperButch

No, I haven't seen it, but the way the plot summary is written makes it sound rather dramatic and like the FTM person was living in the 1970's.

There were a number of quality, competent gender confirmation surgeons in the U.S. by 2004. No reason for a "cross country search". <eye roll>. A one minute google search would have brought up the surgeons.

Experimental procedure? A procedure that was perhaps trying to be improved, but the two main genital procedures for men have been around forever. And the "current surgery options are flawed?". I wonder why they are still doing them, then. Sure they are getting better and better, but give me a break!

Sorry, but the way the plot summary is written presents the person as a freak and like he should be with a traveling freak show from the 1800's due to his "life long obsession" to "be a biological man" (which a natal female never becomes, by the way), as if he is the only person out there who feels they were born into the wrong body.

Very insulting.

Too insulting to watch.

ETA: I found out he went to Peter Raphael who "invented" the centurion, which is just a variation of the not new metoidioplasty. He started doing it in 2002, so Rene's surgery was not done earlier than that.

Sorry, Miss Scarlett, my frustration isn't meant for you. It is for showtime and their "synopsis" and no doubt presentation of the film. Right now the media needs to see trans people for what we are. Normal people who have some gender variance of differing levels. We don't need to be seen as oddities.

[Vincent]

Originally Posted by Satiated

I've debated for the last hour, whether I wanted to post my ramblings here or not. I tend to be a private sorta lady, but my need to understand has overwhelmed me so, here I be.

1. This isn't a medical question, more an emotional one directed at the Males partaking in this thread.

2. Where as my ex partner isn't here to add his two cents, I have nothing ill to say. He was a dynamite butch befor his transition, and now is just an incredible guy after.

For the most part, I have tossed around the idea of dropping the status label of lesbian these days, and just referring to myself as femme. Why you wonder, I'm blubbering about this here? Because randomly 5 years ago, my long term butch girlfriend stated she wanted to become a man and transition. I was shocked, angry, sad and various other things. Bottom line, I supported her right up till he was born.

Surgeries, hormones, and varies other things rocked us apart, but I remained diligent. I loved this persons soul. At this stage, I considered us a hetro couple. Something, I'd never thought I'd say, do or be. But, I did.

Things smoothed after the initial year, and then the confession came. " I can't date a lesbian, you like women. " I said yes, that's a fact, but I also love you, and you are male.

To no avail he dumped me, to date straight women.

Yet, here I see many Ftm's surrounding themselves with all sorts of labels.

So, all this rambling aside...

Have any of you males that transitioned ever felt your current (or at the time partner) looked at you as being anything but whom you are now?

Hi,I thought I would just throw in my experience,I live in Newtown Sydney,in the heart of queer central,I came out in 77,I transitioned 8 yrs ago,for me I identify as queer,I do see queer in a political context,and before transition,I never Identified as butch,I id'ed as dyke,I have always been attracted to feminine women,but have no attraction to heterosexual women,I'm more into queer femme,than I guess the lesbian ID,but an ID certainly would not get in my way if an attraction existed,I find a similar history background important,being a queer activist before and after transition.

I stayed single my first 5 yrs in order for my new self to evolve,I needed the freedom to be self indulgent and work through who I will become,without dumping it on someone else,like most I shed my past,lost all family and a few of my old lesbian friends,but have landed in the queer community in Sydney,I find I am much calmer after transition,and have no depression anymore,so my relationships seem to be less dramatic and more dynamic,for me I believe I will evolve all my life and I will always have my core feminist politics.

I dont know if I have helped or raved on myself.

On binders I used underworks,they were cheap and did the job.

On hormones,I enjoy Testosterone,I have just had a hysto,but being into exercise and fitness T builds muscle and sex drive,so the thought of going off T,would enact my gender dysphoria.but I know guys here who go off and on,I do think bone density may be an issue,maybe more for older guys.But really everyone's journey is different,for me going back,is something that is not an option for me,we are all on Reandron in Sydney,mainly coz we can use the andrology unit in the public hosp in Sydney,Reandron is slow release so there are no troughs,and our shots are every 3 mths,which is great,plus they do our bloods so our levels are consistent,Sustanon did not work for me.
cheers V