T+5
Reflections on five years of testosterone therapy
Content note: Sexual and weight issues.
This week marked a significant milestone in my gender transition. Five years ago, January 3, 2014, I received my first injection of testosterone. While this date was not as important as my nameday, August 23, it was an important step toward reducing the gender dysphoria that stemmed from having a body dominated by estrogen.
After five years of hormone therapy, my appearance has more or less “masculinized”, and my testosterone levels are currently in the normal range for a cisgender man in my age group. This is a relief considering the many challenges my doctors and I have faced along the way. But until I hit menopause — which could be any day now, as I’m about to turn 49 — I know I won’t be out of the woods entirely.
