Monthly Archives: February 2008

My voice changes seem to have slowed considerably; I don’t think it has changed at all in the past month. I was ill for the latter part of December and the beginning of January, and once I was no longer hoarse, I was irrationally worried that my voice had risen in pitch.

I’m thinking that perhaps my jaw is getting a bit more defined, but that could just be me being hopeful.  I’m not sure how much my facial hair has actually changed in the past month, but I have figured out a grooming plan I can deal with, thanks to an electric beard trimmer (a holiday gift from my best friend).  For most of my face, I just use the clippers without the guard, which is short enough to make it look less patchy and pitiful, but long enough to be soft rather than scratchy. I use a short guard for my goatee, because I always miss it when I shave it.  I’ve let my sideburns continue to grow, and I use the clippers without a guard to square them off.  I’ve managed to stop the acne in its tracks for now, thankfully.

I haven’t noticed any significant body fat redistribution, or any real muscle development. Colonies of hair, though, are popping up left and right, especially just below the back of my neck–it’s gross, really. My chest hasn’t gotten much new hair that I’ve noticed, but my belly continues to get fuzzier. My feet and toes are also getting hairy. I have a small patch of 8 or 9 dark hairs on my upper right arm (where I had only a single dark hair pre-testosterone).

My sex drive has definitely lowered lately, and I’m not sure why. My appreciation for bodies and people remains high, and my self-esteem is okay. But sex (especially being touched) has become much less of a priority, and I feel like I can either take it or leave it, and that I’d usually much rather take a nap or read.  It could possibly have to do with the fact that I am incredibly self-conscious about my chest. If I thought that taking T would help make the wait for top surgery more bearable, I was sadly mistaken.

I’ve noticed, and people have commented, that my moods are very level.  I’ve always been incredibly grounded, but these days I can occasionally come across as stoic.  It’s not a change I like, but it’s definitely true that I am much, much less emotional. I also tend to speak less, although I am still much more social than I ever was pre-T.

I’m still on the same schedule and dosage, and I’m still hungry and sleepy for the first day or so afterwards.  Hot flashes have almost disappeared, and there’s no sign of menstruation, thankfully.