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Dec 14

The Unexpected Side Effects of Taking Testosterone – VICE

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This article originally appeared on VICE Netherlands. A few weeks back, I felt my eyesight getting hazier. I went to the optometrist for an eye test and, weirdly, the results indicated that my prescription had decreased, so Id need weaker glasses. I was as confused as my doctor, but after a bit of looking into this, it was determined that testosterone was behind the changes. As strange as it might seem, hormone levels really can have an impact on an individuals eyesight. In cis men, this is largely because age can slow down the rate at which our body produces androgens, a group of male sex hormones including testosterone. One knock-on effect of this reduction is blurry eyesight.For the past two months Ive been using testosterone gel. Usually applied to the lower abdomen and absorbed through the skin, these gels top up my T levels and are prescribed by doctors.Prior to using it, I read up on possible side effects that come with the use of gels like AndroGel: increased muscle mass, shortened temper, or a deeper voice. Ive also discovered some other personal effects to add to that list: the structure of my hair has changed, I *swear* my feet have grown by a few millimetres, and, happily, my eyesight has improved. People use testosterone gel and clinically administered testosterone injections for a variety of reasons. Everyone reacts very differently to the treatment, and since there is very little in the way of public discussion about the topic, those side effects can be surprising. We asked gel users cis, trans and intersex about their experiences with the drug and all of the remarkable things that come with it. It doesnt take much for me to start crying: put Bambi on and the tears will be streaming down my face I was diagnosed with HIV in 1999 and first put on medication in 2001. After a few years on the drugs, I became increasingly fatigued. It started with coming home on Friday evening and then spending most of the weekend sleeping. As time went by, Id already be so tired on Wednesday that I had to drag myself to work for the rest of the week. This is because the medication I was on blocks your energy supply at a cellular level.I had contacts in San Francisco at the time, and someone there pointed out a study to me in which anabolic steroids [artificial testosterone] were used together with HIV medication to fight that fatigue. My internist approved the treatment and I have been using testosterone ever since. I do it in 12 week blocks I apply the gel for three months and then have the next three off. The testosterone has given me enough energy to be able to do things again. Another thing that struck me is that I need to be careful with my emotions while applying the gel. It doesnt take much for me to start crying: put Bambi on and the tears will be streaming down my face. Fortunately, Im not prone to depression, but I can at times wallow in self-pity. I really need to actively get myself together in moments like that. Testosterone is also the reason that I cant allow myself to get too angry: I tend to oversimplify things and become rude. If I start to speak softly, that means Im really angry. Then I have to restrain myself.

I also notice a difference in my sexuality. During the last two weeks without testosterone, when the fatigue starts to kick in, Im really looking forward to applying the gel again. - Hans Verhoeven, 58, is a self-declared rainbow activist and owns the online store Gays & Gadgets

"No one tells trans people that giving oral sex can be pretty challenging once youve grown a beard."

Physically, I feel like I won the genetic lottery. Any man wanting to look more masculine would kill to have my beard. I was quite hairy anyway, but it took time to get used to it. Eating can be a challenge now. I cant eat yoghurt anymore and soup is impossible to get out of my beard. I had to change how I performed oral sex, too. - Bappie Kortram, 30, is a YouTuber and podcaster

Pepjin has been using testosterone gels and injections since he was 16.

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The Unexpected Side Effects of Taking Testosterone - VICE

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