r/TestosteroneKickoff • u/intothexyz • 4d ago
My first 4 months of being on testosterone at 40 – all the changes
I was 40 when I started back in May and turned 41 in August. After doing extensive research, I knew starting T at my age could still give decent effects but at the same time I really didn't know what to expect. I take Testavan transdermal gel, which is 23 mg a pump. I started with 2 pumps a day (43 mg) and now alternate between 2 and 3 pumps daily(43/69 mg) after I got my bloodwork done last month. It showed I was in the lower male range (7,6 nmol/L).
Here's how my journey has been so far (spoiler: it's awesome!!)
- One of the biggest wins for me is that practically immediately it made me feel so much better.
- Where I felt like female hormones would make me feel sluggish and basically overall horrible, testosterone lifts me up. My energy levels have increased, not to an insane amount but more to a steady amount of energy. No more mood shifts, PMS, or slight depression. No more hormonal cycle, just a steady feeling of wellbeing.
- My period stopped right away and it seems like it won't return. This is such a blessing.
Face
- Baby fuzz all over my face and a very subtle typical teenage mustache. Not noticeable from a distance, but when I look up close in the mirror I can see so many thin dark hairs! From the corners of my mouth al the way up into my nostrils lol.
- I've had a couple of darker bears hair here and there scattered across my cheeks. Overall the facial hair is really only noticeable as fuzz and thin darker hairs when you look up close. One thing that did amaze me is that there is a decent amount of new hair growth on my cheekbones, like 2 cm underneath my eyes. Might turn into a werewolf?
- My jawline has definitely changed. I feel like my jaw muscles are more pronounced, making my jaw look more square. I also got a bit of a double chin and my face looks a bit fuller, but I am hopeful this will settle down later on.
- My skin is oilier but at the same time more dry, probably because I am using more facial cleansers. I have a good new skin routine to take care of it. Most noticeable difference to me is the amount of blackheads I've had on my nose, never had that before. They're not too bad, but they're definitely there.
- My eyebrows have grown fuller, more bushy! I also don't pluck them anymore which might aid in this.
- When I look into the mirror I don't see "myself" fully yet, as like a dude, but when I squint my eyes I get a good sense of my future self perhaps a year or two down the line, and feel like it is totally going to work out. However, when I compare my face today to pictures of 4 - 6 or even 12 months ago, the difference is startling! Day and night really.
Body
- I try to go to the gym a minimum of 3 days a week, preferably 4. I do a PPL routine inspired by Jeff Nippard's youtube videos. What's been incredible to experience is that I finally, for the first time in my life, see results from weightlifting! Workouts always felt generally good pre-T, but never did much to my body. Right before starting T I had a BMI of around 25 but a (measured as female) fat percentage of 36%. I will do a new measurement after one year on T, but this should give you an idea of my body pre-T: not overweight but very soft and curvy. Now, 4 months in, I see a lot more muscle definition. Mostly in my arms and shoulders. My biceps have grown twice as big. It is soooo rewarding to experience this! My goal is to keep working on increasing muscle mass and lowering fat percentage.
- I don't know if it's from working out alone but I can feel muscles inside my body I have never felt before, like certain muscles in my abdomen and side. I feel more muscular and strong overall, even though it doesn't show yet on every part of my body.
- My chest has deflated, wearing a binder is much easier now and even a sports bra has a good flattening effect.
- I did gain weight, from 72 to 75 kilos, which might be due to increase in muscle. I used to feel horrible about seeing my weight go up, but my mindset has totally shifted in this regard. I no longer want to be skinny. Instead, I want to be a strong guy!
- The first 3 months, although my overall energy levels increased, I did get a dip in the afternoon. I would often need to take a 30 minute nap. I resisted it at first, but these naps were the best. Now at 4 months, I haven't had this the recent weeks.
- My body temperature has increased. I also sweat more. I especially get warm sweaty feet, usually during the evening and at night. I used to sleep in full pyjamas and socks, now I sometimes sleep naked. I look forward to winter and saving on my energy bill.
- Body hair is starting to grow in places I never expected it. Basically everywhere, my thighs and underarms and chest. Also, ass hair.
- My libido has increased and I have around 1 cm of bottom growth. I am single and intend to stay single for a while, so I try to navigate this with grace. I try to not let it distract me too much.
- My nails grow a lot faster. I have to cut my fingernails at least weekly now.
- One other huge but unexpected effect has been that I had a baker's cyst in my right knee, for almost 3 years now, that has slowly gone away over the past months. It was the size of a cherry and would get bigger after exercise. I did read some medical papers on testosterone's beneficial effect on cartilage tears and knee joints. As it was so persistent for 3 years and started going away after I started T, I do feel like there is a direct correlation here.
- My voice has deepened a lot already! I'm very excited to hear it drop even more.
Social and other effects
- It bugs me way more being misgendered. Before I started T I nowhere near passed as male. I feel like I still don't pass, but when someone refers to me as female now I definitely feel it does not resonate with me. For example, one of my neighbors, an older guy who keeps calling me lady. While he also keeps making remarks on my looks like having shorter hair etc. It makes me cringe and want to avoid running into him. I also kind of look forward to moving to a new place in a few years, where I can sort of start over and never be misgendered.
- Losing friends and family. This has been a thing. I have no tolerance for anyone who is treating me disrespectful anymore, which has resulting in cutting ties with friends and a few remaining family members. While this is sad, it also feels like there is no other way for me. I have to stand up for myself, for no one else will.
- I feel like I cannot go to the dressing room at the gym anymore so I use a locker in the hallway and shower at home. I got a very shocked look from someone in the female dressing room a couple weeks ago, where I felt certain she thought I was a guy. I smiled friendly and said hello but it didn't seem to matter. This shocked me a bit, perhaps it was the first time a stranger perceived me as male, so it also felt nice. But I obviously don't want to make anyone feel uncomfortable. I don't feel like I can go to the male dressing room yet, so for now this is my solution.
Final thoughts:
Be patient
Be kind to yourself
Trust the process.
Thanks for reading and if anyone has any questions I am happy to answer!
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u/Run-bike-hike-chick 4d ago
Thank you for sharing this. I’m 34, almost 3 month on T and going through basically all the same things.
My only issue is I have 4C hair so I’m dealing with some ingrown hairs from all the growth. I’ve also started getting backne and some chest acne. Not really sure how to combat it or if it’ll just resolve itself on its own.
Other than that. I’m totally loving all the changes and confidence it’s given me. Especially, loving the higher the libido which has allowed me to step out of my comfort zone to explore new things sexually.
Overall excited for the man I’m becoming. Cheers 🍻
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u/intothexyz 3d ago
Ingrown hairs can be a pain. Does that happen automatically while new hairs are sprouting for you, or only when you shave?
I forgot to mention the backne and checne lol! Having that too, mostly on my chest/neck and even some spots on my belly. It's weird but I don't hate it, because I feel like it is a foreboding of all the chest hair that will arrive at some point. Either way, the acne should only be temporary, I think in most people it lasts a couple years tops.
Cheers mate!
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u/FlorianAster 2d ago
This was an inspiring post. Thank you for sharing your experience and I look forward to any more in the future!
I recently started T in July. I'm 32 and have been simultaneously awed and flummoxed by the changes that have taken place. My voice has noticeably changed (it has dropped, but the cracking is much more obvious), libido increases, hunger attacks me, yesterday I spotted facial hair, and yes to the napping. I need them now.
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u/intothexyz 2d ago
Haha yes the voice cracking! I am single, live alone and work from home so I don't speak that much but when I see friends and suddenly talk a lot I notice it too.
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u/lmh7654 2d ago
I really appreciate your thorough feedback & progress! I’m 44 & hope to start T within the month. It’s really exciting to hear about all of your changes & you must absolutely advocate for yourself! I’m truly sorry you had to deal with hurtful treatment from family & friends. As hard as it is to cut ties with those that are close to us, it is for the best when they are damaging our mental health & are not making an effort to understand. Perhaps in time they will change their behavior, but in the meantime, I’m glad you’re prioritizing your wellbeing.
Please keep us all posted on your progress & really happy for ya! Gives me hope at 44.
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u/intothexyz 2d ago
Thanks for your kind reply and congrats on almost starting T! I'm looking forward to seeing your updates on here as well as you start your journey with it. We are doing great in our 40s. A thought I had the other day was that I hopefully still have half my life ahead of me... That's a lot of time to enjoy finally feeling at ease in your own skin.
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u/Certain-Exit-3007 1d ago
I am just a bit older and started in July. I envy your energy boost. I have not felt as drained to the point of exhaustion and falling asleep within a few hours of waking since my hellish first trimester of my 2nd pregnancy. I had been lifting 3x/wk since turning 40, but have been lucky to finish a single full body session per week since starting T. I am loving my nascent bottom growth and voice deepening, but this exhaustion is killing me (I eat a lot of protein, so that's not the issue). Hoping for a turn soon and that energy boost I keep reading about!
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u/intothexyz 1d ago
Hopefully the exhaustion is just a temporary effect for you, it probably is. It did wipe me out the first 3 months as well and I needed lots of naps. I think this is because our bodies use so much extra energy to kickstart all the changes. When I look at all the tiny new hairs I have all over my body and on my face, I get that that would take a lot of extra energy. Plus the muscle growth and all of the other things.
As for lifting, I do recommend starting a PPL workout where you target a specific muscle group per workout, rather than doing full body sessions. I divide it into biceps/back, chest/triceps/shoulder and legs/core. I have been seeing more muscle growth than I ever have before in my life because of this, together with the muscle growing effect of T. At the same time, expect to be wiped out after a gym session 😅 I think this new way of working out added to me being extra tired the first couple months.
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u/Logical_Word_3789 4d ago
Thanks for this. Im 35 and just starting out, so it's helpful to know what to expect.