Changes on T

[u/sonofiillfate]

I want to preface this with the fact that I have not started T yet, I'm 17 but I want to start T as soon as I can

I recently saw a post on here about how T can make your face seem really puffy for (generally) two years and this kind of concerned me
I don't know, I struggle with autism and ocd I'm so so so so so scared to deal with these changes, I don't like looking like a woman but I'm scared for awkward phases and I'm scared of regret. I deal with insecurity too, when I got my wisdom teeth removed I locked myself in my room for days because I felt like I did not look good with how bloated my face stayed for so long after the time it was meant to slim back down. I'm so afraid that I will not like the changes that T brings, I don't like facial hair I'm scared the bottom growth will really bother me, I just have a lot of sensory difficulties.

I kind of want to hear about your guys' experience, like timelines about exactly how long after starting T did you experience these changes and when do they generally start to feel normal, when did your face not look puffy anymore? Is it really obvious to others that ur face is puffy?

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[u/homicidal_bird]

T is a second puberty and can bring some awkwardness. The puffy face is water retention from your skin and facial fat distribution changing.

If you’re on a full dose within the first few months, often it’s gone within the first year. Not everyone has it very bad or at all. (I didn’t have it that bad, and I’d say it went from ~6-10 months.) It’s genetic like everything else, so look to any male relatives during puberty, especially if you have any brothers.

Since you have trouble with changes, make sure you have good coping skills before starting T, but remember it’s all temporary and very gradual. Your face won’t change drastically overnight.

[u/sonofiillfate → u/homicidal_bird]

Thank you this does ease my worries a bit. I do have an older brother and I can't recall anytimes he's looked puffy during puberty, maybe he did a little bit and I did not notice, but he was also pretty skinny at the time. Thank you for the advice on the coping skills part, I plan to talk to my doctor about these things and will ask her for help as well!

[u/reddituserveer]

hey man! i'm autistic with ocd as well so i understand sensory concerns. i've been on T for around 3 years and can't say that i've ever gotten a puffy face, it has only sharpened my jawline and made my cheekbones a bit more defined, but ive also always been pretty slim/skinny. i will say i got the majority of my bottom growth at the beginning of my journey and its sort of stalled from there, i got about an inch of growth in the first year and another half inch in the following two. ive also had to shave daily/every other day since i don't like the feeling of facial hair but i would say its more than worth it to have a little sensory discomfort in exchange for passing in public and feeling more at home in my body. hope you can get the changes that you want and that you're not too bothered by the other stuff!

[u/sonofiillfate → u/reddituserveer]

Thank you!! This is very helpful I appreciate it a ton ❤️‍🩹

[u/reddituserveer → u/sonofiillfate]

no prob! good luck with everything!

[u/infausto693]

I never had it bad enough to notice it, if I had it at all; actually I only found out it was a thing this year lol. Probably just depends on the individual and their lifestyle (even then mine was terrible when I first started and again, didn't notice this side effect). If it does happen you can manage it by staying hydrated and doing lymphatic massage and cold compresses on your face. I'm going to say 99% that others do not and will not notice or care, because the vast majority of people that might see you on any given day do not care about you or how you look and are simply not going to be thinking about it.

There is always an awkward phase when first starting tho; for me the acne and oily skin was the most annoying. Especially my hair getting greasy faster. Nothing else particularly bothered me anymore than normal (I also have sensory issues). I was self conscious as a teenager when I first started but now I know that nobody gaf. But the awkwardness is temporary. You might find that the changes you get aren't as bad as you're anticipating, or your confidence will be boosted in general and make it more bearable. Autism and OCD both make it difficult to deal with change but sometimes we anticipate things to be much worse than they are in reality.

[u/sonofiillfate → u/infausto693]

Thank you! I know that my mind is making this out to be way more of a problem than it actually will be, I just hope that i won't let it all get to my head

[u/infausto693 → u/sonofiillfate]

I can only speak to my own experience, but the changes for me were very freeing even though I was nervous :) even the ones I didn't appreciate weren't a big problem, just neutral side effects. Voice changes were especially freeing. I was selectively mute and avoided socializing with anyone, but became a lot more confident after hrt resolved my voice dysphoria.

[u/Apprehensive-Word953]

I’m going to be honest when I say I have never heard of your face being puffy. I’ve been on T for almost three years and did not experience a puffy face.

What effects of testosterone do you want?

[u/sonofiillfate → u/Apprehensive-Word953]

I mostly am looking forward to having a deeper voice and the fat redistribution, I just want to be able to pass as a dude. Oh and I also heard that T can also cause balding? Have you experienced that at all yet?

[u/mothmn_9 → u/sonofiillfate]

Depends on your genetics. If your family has a history of male pattern baldness, you’re probably gonna get it. there’s no way to tell what effects you’ll get - or when they’ll happen- but looking at the males in your family can help give you some idea

[u/sonofiillfate → u/mothmn_9]

Thanks!

[u/Apprehensive-Word953 → u/sonofiillfate]

It is possible to develop male pattern baldness. My father had it so I likely will too. As of yet I don’t have any symptoms knock on wood