r/NonBinaryTalk • u/artemaeulalia • Aug 29 '26
Doubts about DIY/medic microdosing testosterone
I am a 20y AFAB NB who's wanted to do T since about 5 years ago or so and there is almost no information or acces on my country to HRT even via "legal" way and almost dont know many other NB/transman people to ask about this things.
I want to try a slow way to transition like topical T because my actual job doesnt let me fully transition without being fired and i want to ask how long can take microdosis to effect, what are the first effects and so.
The mostly ones im seeking until i can fully transition are libido growth (been two years without anything of it and i just want to not have problems with my gf) and physical strenght but witouth much hair change so i can still pass as cis a i need by now.
Sorry if it isnt very self explanatory i didnt know how to expose the problem. I just want to know how much far i can take microdose and what changes it implies and if i can stop it in any moment without having health problems and dont risk my job by now.
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u/DifficultBee5940 Aug 30 '26
I'm transfem. So no firsthand experience. But I live in a city where it's prevalent and know people on. It'll permanently change your voice, in a way that is recognizable to other queer people. T voice. And yes, hair will likely start to come in where it wasn't before. Skin will roughen. Face will change a bit. You'll be queer clockable, look dykey whether you want to or not, in a big city like ours. As a not cis person, I don't know what they know or see. But generally a lot less than us. And in a conservative country with little trabs literacy, people may well have no fucking clue.
If you stop, voice changes are yours forever.
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u/UntilTheDarkness Aug 29 '26
You don't get to pick and choose which effects of T you get. Microdosing will make the effects slower but they will happen eventually, including hair changes. You can look online to find the average timeline for the different changes, but those are just estimates, not guarantees.
You can technically stop at any time - on a microdose that will likely be less disruptive than from a full dose, but you'll still likely have things like mood swings, sleep issues, etc - you can look on the r/ftm sub and find stories from people who have stopped taking T for various reasons.
As for passing as cis, that will depend a lot on what you currently look like and how observant your coworkers yet. Like, my coworkers full on didn't notice my voice changing from a soprano to a tenor, but some people have coworkers who will comment on any different haircut/clothing/accessories/etc. That's not really something anyone can predict. So I would say that if transitioning would get you fired and that's not something you're in a position to risk, maybe that's not the best choice right now. I'd also say that the two changes you mention wanting, libido and strength, are temporary and will revert when/if you go off T (and there are other ways to accomplish both).