Self-Introduction and Question for Community

[metranome10]

I've been watching the community for a while, and I'm just now working up the nerve to post. I just wanted to say hi to everyone, and tell you a little about myself. I'm 22 (23 in November), and I'm FTM transgender. I've been seeing a great therapist for a while now, and she's helped me by asking me questions and assisting me in building up my

Comments

[tinamou]

I have polycystic ovarian syndrome, which causes roblems very similar to the ones you described (although in my case, the symptoms were not too serious). I as told by my doctor that testosterone would work in lieu of other hormonal treatments (or possibly with Metformin for insulin issues, but so far I haven't needed it)--it keeps up your bone density as well as estrogen if not better, and suppressing my periods altogether put an end to the irregular bleeding & pain. 2 years into testosterone treatment, I'm as healthy as I've ever been.

Of course, I have no idea if this is comparable to what's going on with you. But if you haven't already, I'd suggest finding an endocrinologist with experience treating trans men, and get a second opinion. You might be able to switch medications, re-asses what you need, or perhaps (if you wanted to) get a preventative hysterectomy and/or chest surgery to minimize your cancer risk. It sounds as though your doc may be confusing the risks of having low estrogen in a cis woman with the effects of testosterone in trans men--testosterone lowers your estrogen, but your body really only need a preponderance of one hormone or the other to stay healthy for the long term. You may want to go to nickgorton.org and download a copy of Medical Therapy and Hormone Maintenance for Transgender Men or check out the recently-posted endocrine society medical guidelines to get some background for talking with your doctor.

[metranome10]

That sounds like a great idea. Do you know of any endocronologists with experience treating trans men in the west United States? Say, around Colorado or possibly the surrounding states? I hear Trinidad is a huge trans community.