Ask a trans person!

[Jet]

Good answer, but am I correct that T therapy causes rage behavior? My doc and i are going to talk about all this. I wanted to know if the injections changed your mood during any kind phase or period of time.

[Thinker]

Originally Posted by Ol' Jet

Good answer, but am I correct that T therapy causes rage behavior? My doc and i are going to talk about all this. I wanted to know if the injections changed your mood during any kind phase or period of time.

It *can* cause it, but it hasn't in me; and I know plenty of other guys who will say the same is true for them.

In most places, you'll hear guys say, "If you had anger issues pre-T, then you'll certainly have them once you start on T." Some will say that T leveled them out and helped alleviate previous anger issues. And some will say that T changed them and contributed to behaviors they did not like (aggression, rage, etc...).

I'm not an expert on it, but it seems to me that it is a case-by-case thing. No one-size-fits-all........for sure.

[Jet]

I have to wonder what the hell I'm going to look like. Geezes. Thanks for answering tonight and for the links you've posted.

[Thinker]

Originally Posted by Ol' Jet

I have to wonder what the hell I'm going to look like. Geezes. Thanks for answering tonight and for the links you've posted.

Heh... I always look in the mirror and think I look exactly the same. My lady tells me 'no', and it seems that some of the folks I saw in Vegas last month would say 'no' too. There were people there whom I had not seen in two or more years, and they did not know who they were talking to.

Soooo... I'm guessin' you'll change, but I don't figure *you* will notice anything drastic.

Have a good night, Parker.

[TCB]

Originally Posted by Thinker

Heh... I always look in the mirror and think I look exactly the same. My lady tells me 'no', and it seems that some of the folks I saw in Vegas last month would say 'no' too. There were people there whom I had not seen in two or more years, and they did not know who they were talking to.

Soooo... I'm guessin' you'll change, but I don't figure *you* will notice anything drastic.

Have a good night, Parker.

Thinker I must say, when I saw you in Vegas..it took me a while to catch on that it was YOU. Last I saw you was in Dallas. I was so oblivious for god knows how long. You're looking great buddy!
Not to mention, I have no idea why in the hell neither of us had spoken that whole weekend. I'm annoyed with myself, lol.

[Leigh]

I've been watching this thread on the sidelines for a few days, only because work has been very stressful and tonight was no exception. I just wanted to thank everyone for answering My earlier questions and for those who ask questions that maybe I haven't thought of or were just abit too shy to ask thank you. I enjoy reading everyone's posts and always learn something new, which is helping Me with My own journey which has just begun

[Bit]

Originally Posted by evolveme

Also, I am more frequently experiencing "lesbian-hate." You know, snark at the very idea of what Lesbian is. Now, given all of this, I do not feel myself to be oppressed. That's certainly not what I'm saying here.

My battle has always been for and about the ones I love. (And I think I can see that it's that way for you too.)

Nooooo, e, no. I have done my damnedest to stay OUT of battles, to stay in the middle where I belong rather than choosing one side over the other; yet I have been forced into a box and stereotyped MUCH to my very vocal protests!

I have ALWAYS stood for ALL Butches and ALL Transmen. I have never, ever wanted to choose. I finally gave in to the inevitable several years ago, admitted defeat, and left the field. I just could not take the battles anymore, not in my own community, not in the place where I wanted most to fit in. Since I was single at the time, the community was all I had... I couldn't deal with dissension and contention at that point, you know? The pain went too deep.

I'm sure you read about Parker's experience with Lesbians? Mine has been the Femme parallel, with people I considered sisters telling me I no longer belonged to their club because I wanted to be with a man, and slamming the door behind me. This happened so often, to so many of us, that it became a cliche.

I have seen a lot of Lesbian hate; I know it's out there---but I have also seen those of us who have tried to talk about this painful experience be accused of Lesbian hate when that isn't accurate.

Again, it's one of those emotionally fraught issues, where we all bring past pain to the table; sometimes that pain is what speaks the loudest.

Originally Posted by Ol' Jet

The above posts are excellent posts. But I feel I may have rattled some cages without meaning to. And please forgive me if I have.

{{{{{{{{{{{{Parker}}}}}}}}}}} Didn't rattle my cage, darlin, but I do appreciate hearing your experiences.

Originally Posted by Mister Bent

Thank you, Bit for speaking from the Partner Perspective. I read the first line of your post and turned to e and said, "of course - It applies to both sides of the relationship!" So glad you addressed this.

Thanks, Bent. I couldn't NOT answer, it just burst out of me; then I thought, "sheesh, Cath! He didn't ask you!" but I couldn't NOT post anyhow. *sheepish smile*

[Hudson]

Originally Posted by Ol' Jet

Good answer, but am I correct that T therapy causes rage behavior? My doc and i are going to talk about all this. I wanted to know if the injections changed your mood during any kind phase or period of time.

Hey Jet,

I wanted to add to what some of the other guys have already said. My gender therapist (an FTM on T 28 years) and a doctor I'm talking to both have said that while testosterone does not cause these (negative)things, it can/will possibly enhance what emotion is already there for instance if you're depressed (how many of us haven't been, right?) then it can make you more depressed. Some guys are advised to go on an anti-depressant for a while first before beginning T. Others start and level right on out. Something to consider. I'm not sure if other guys have been told the same but maybe they can weigh in on this too?

[Linus]

Originally Posted by Ben-Her

Hey Jet,

I wanted to add to what some of the other guys have already said. My gender therapist (an FTM on T 28 years) and a doctor I'm talking to both have said that while testosterone does not cause these (negative)things, it can/will possibly enhance what emotion is already there for instance if you're depressed (how many of us haven't been, right?) then it can make you more depressed. Some guys are advised to go on an anti-depressant for a while first before beginning T. Others start and level right on out. Something to consider. I'm not sure if other guys have been told the same but maybe they can weigh in on this too?

I have never heard that. If anything, I've heard that for many it increases calmness and happiness (on a path that finally leads to where they want to go).

Hudson's Guide on the Myths of T and FTMs: http://www.ftmguide.org/myths.html#1

[Hudson]

Originally Posted by Linus

I have never heard that. If anything, I've heard that for many it increases calmness and happiness (on a path that finally leads to where they want to go).

Hudson's Guide on the Myths of T and FTMs: http://www.ftmguide.org/myths.html#1

I'm really familiar with Hudson's FTM guide, Linus and it's a great source for resources and personal experiences. I did say many guys just level right out when they go on T (and feel better). However, some do not. I'm simply offering what has been told to me with regard to moods so that Jet (or anyone going on T) can discuss those concerns with his doctor. I think it's safest if those of us who aren't medical professionals or therapists do not advise and reassure others quite so emphatically (and reference internet sources) which I think is problematic in the trans community.

[Linus]

Now this might be a bit of a morbid question but it is a question that I feel is better answered before something happens: do any trans individuals have some kind of a will or burial plans set out on how things will go when you pass on? I guess my concern is that when you're not there, you really can't speak for yourself and how you want to be addressed thus potentially opening the door for those who disapproved to go on about it.

And what about a "living will"? Has anyone planned any of those?

[NotAnAverageGuy]

Linus I am being cremated, if anything happens to me before my parents, they know my last wishes

[Linus]

Just saw this on one of the FTM Yahoo Groups:

A study conducted by the Universities of Zurich and Royal Holloway London
suggests that the association between testosterone and aggression is all in
our heads. Research with 120 subjects indicates that the hormone can
actually encourage fair behavior when it suits one’s own purposes.

Though the hormone is often associated with virility, aggression and risky
behaviors, the latest research challenges this connection. Previous studies
with castrated rodents demonstrated a reduction in combativeness
post-intervention and the findings have been long generalized to humans.
However, neuroscientist, Christoph Eisenegger and economists Ernst Fehr and
Michael Naef believe that their work refutes the rodent-based findings.

"We wanted to verify how the hormone affects social behavior," Dr.
Eisenegger explains. "We were interested in the question: what is truth, and
what is myth?"

Their study is published in the journal,
*Nature*<http://www.nature.com/nature/index.html>and involved a
behavioral experiment with 120 participants. Prior to the
testing, subjects were administered either 0.5 mg of testosterone or a
placebo and then became involved in a partnered negotiation over real money.
Those who with an artificially increased testosterone level generally made
fairer offers than those given the placebos. "The preconception that
testosterone only causes aggressive or egoistic behavior in humans is thus
clearly refuted," concludes Eisenegger.

"In the socially complex human environment, pro-social behavior secures
status, and not aggression," explains Naef. "The interplay between
testosterone and the socially differentiated environment of humans, and not
testosterone itself, probably causes fair or aggressive behavior".
Interestingly, the researchers also found that the misconception that
testosterone causes aggression is deeply entrenched and reflected in
behavioral patterns. Those who believed they received testosterone boosts
made the most obviously unfair offers. Naef suggests, "it appears that it is
not testosterone itself that induces aggressiveness, but rather the myth
surrounding the hormone. In a society where qualities and manners of
behavior are increasingly traced to biological causes and thereby partly
legitimated, this should make us sit up and take notice."