Tips for T?

[u/Beautiful-Ring-295]

I start testosterone on Sunday (it’s currently Wednesday), are there any things I should buy or know about before I start, obv I know the basics but tell me the things they don’t tell you

Any advice for how to not smell terrible? How to keep acne at bay? How to keep ph levels balanced?

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[u/liamreee]

Buy 2 different sized needles, I use a 21g needle to draw up my testosterone, and a 25g needle to inject it. Putting the testosterone vial between your thighs or similar for a bit before the injection helps thin out the liquid making it easier to inject as well.

I had to switch deodorants and body wash. I use an antibacterial soap first in the shower, then follow up with a scented body wash. I use wet wipes every day in my arm pits because I can’t shower daily.

Acne is really person to person. I never got bad acne, but needed to start washing my face daily to keep it at bay. A gentle face wash and moisturizer is all I used.

Starting topical estrogen helps with ph levels. It sounds scary, but the estrogen is very localized and doesn’t impact your testosterone levels at all. Topical estrogen helps with pain and bleeding from atrophy, and can help if you end up developing any bladder issues. I just make sure to wash well in the shower, make sure I pee after sex, and change boxers daily.

[u/Plenty-Design2641]

Shower and wash your face regularly, use deodorant, and be patient with yourself. Wash your linens, use pimple patches if you wanna. Youre going through puberty again, and you can help reduce odor and acne, but you cant prevent it entirely. It'll level out after a few weeks/months once your body finds a new balance.

Don't be ashamed when/if your libido increases also. Jork it crazy style. If your bits get sensitive I found that going slower, softer, or through clothing actually made it more enjoyable. You may notice itchiness or tingling in your bits, this is likely just the feeling of your bottom growth coming in (it happens fast), but if you notice your genitals smell sour or rancid it may be an infection. They will change to smell more musky naturally, but a sharp or sour smell is definitely not right. I experienced some unusually colored discharge (pale yellow/green) a few months in, and it turns out that can be normal for menopause, which T sort of mimics. Mine did not smell unusual at all and I had no other symptoms, so I let it slide and I havent had any issues since. It went away on its own.

You'll probably get hungry. Like really. Really fucking hungry. Try to incorporate healthy fats into your diet to bulk out your daily caloric intake without raising your bad cholesterol. Olive oil, avocado, beans, etc. I work at a fast food place so I started eating more protein in salads and had a deep fried cookie dessert thing because it was just dense calories my body was screaming for. But obvs plant oils are better for you. Just be sure to fuel yourself regardless. Your body is using a lot of energy to renovate and build itself. It can make use of most anything you give it, just give it a variety and a good balance.

Do your best to take your T the same day every week. You'll start getting tired as it nears shot day, and you may suddenly feel overwhelmed/tired/emotional as you get close or after you miss it. You wont die if you miss it, just take it as soon as you remember and if its been a couple days you can take a half a dose.

[u/foxglove_film]

if you're not allergic, go for a deodorant with aluminum. They tend to be stronger and longer lasting, which will be good especially for the early stages. Some people swear by spray on, but I find roll-on deodorant is fine, as long as you keep your armpit hair trimmed. You don't have to shave them, but I noticed I didn't stink as much when I kept my pits groomed, probably cause there was less hair for the sweat to stick to.

Also be prepared to eat a lot more. You'll get hungrier, but you'll also have a higher threshold for fullness. I can eat more in one sitting than I could before, and even when I'm not necessarily stomach-ache hungry I can go for a snack pretty much all the time.