Basic FTM Info 

What is FTM?

FTM is an acronym for "female to male." This is a person who has experienced dysphoria and has decided to transition from the assigned gender at birth of female to male. Common feelings of dysphoria can be associated with the chest, voice, face, body, and lower genitalia.

For treatment of dysphoria with the voice, face, and body in general, you can be prescribed Testosterone, or "T" as it is commonly referred to. 

Testosterone can be administered in several different ways and you should choose the best for you with your doctor: 

1. The most common are intramuscular injections with a syringe

2. Transdermal by: gel, cream, or patch on the skin 

3. Orally by tablets (disclaimer: this can have negative effects on the liver so as always consult with your physician on what is best for you)

4. And newly released in a nasal gel formula to be taken by swabbing it inside your nose

How Long Until Changes Begin?

Testosterone can begin working in as little as 1 month for some and longer for others. Since this is a hormone it will affect each person differently and at different rates. The testosterone is not stored in the body or slowly released to maintain a healthy level so it must be administered in timed intervals and with appropriate dosages.

Depending on your doctor you can administer your own T at home or visit your doctor’s office to receive your T whether it’s once a week, biweekly, or monthly.

What Kind of Changes Occur?

Over time you can develop masculine secondary sex characteristics, as well as the cessation of menses (monthly periods). The following effects can be expected as a result of testosterone hormone therapy. These effects may take several months to be noticeable, and will continue to develop over a period of years:

• Cessation of menses (monthly periods)

• Changes in cholesterol levels can happen

• Enlargement of the clitoris

• Facial hair growth

• Increase in red blood cells which some say cause higher energy levels

• Increase in sex drive

• Increased activity of the skin's oil glands and acne

• Increased body hair growth (arms, legs, chest, belly, feet, and back)

• Increased body muscle

• Migration of body fat to a more masculine pattern (fat shifting from hips, thighs, and buttocks to the abdomen area)

• Potential hair loss at the temples and crown of the head, resulting in a more masculine hairline; possibly male-pattern baldness

• The scent of body odors and urine may change

• The skin may become rougher in feeling and/or appearance.

• Thickening of the vocal cords and deepening of the voice

• Other Changes Reported by Trans Men

Other Changes That You Could Experience:

The changes listed below have been noticed by some trans men, but are not usually listed in medical information as effects of testosterone therapy:

• Emotional changes.

• Increase in appetite

• A Slight decrease in the density of the fatty breast tissue

• The face may become more angular in appearance with a squarer jaw

Some trans men reported shortness of temper or feeling lethargic or being slightly depressed at different stages of their T cycle (i.e., just after a shot, or a few days before their next shot). Others reported that T has made them feel more even-tempered and calm. Since this is a hormone and everyone is affected by hormones differently, you can assume that this will affect everyone differently as well.

As with any new medication or substance you introduce into your body, it is wise to discuss any concerns with your doctor. Certain emotional ups and downs might be alleviated by adjusting the amount and timing of the dosage, and sometimes these ups and downs will settle over time, but never adjust anything without first talking to your doctor.

What Kinds of Surgeries Exist?

There are two different sections of surgeries for FTM men, top surgery and bottom surgery (there are also facial reconstruction surgeries to help make your facial features more masculine, but we will be focusing on top and bottom surgery here). Top surgery is designated for any chest reconstruction that someone might want to have done to alleviate dysphoria associated with excess breast tissue.

Trans men have the option of wearing a chest binder that essentially has strong material that helps flatten and hold the chest to give the appearance of a more cis male chest. It is always advised to only wear approved FTM binders for safety and comfort reasons and to wear them for short amounts of time because they can physically hurt your body and can cause extreme fatigue if worn for a prolonged amount of time during the day.

What Kinds of Top Surgery Are There?

1. Double Incision

2. Inverted T/T-Anchor

3. Buttonhole

4. Peri-Areolar

5. Keyhole

6. Minimal Scar

What Kinds of Bottom Surgery Are There?

1. Metoidioplasty

2. Phalloplasty 

Vocabulary For This Page:

Cis - Short for Cisgender, the clinical definition of a person who aligns with the gender and sex they were assigned at birth.

Trans - Short for Transgender, the clinical definition of a person who does not align with the gender and sex they were assigned at birth.

Quick information related to FTM (female to male) transgender persons:

T - A Common term for Testosterone, which is the current method for HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy) for FTM individuals.

Dysphoria- Not feeling comfortable in your own skin, feeling trapped in your assigned body or gender role. Extreme discontent with either your physical being or gender role.

Top Surgery (FTM)- Surgery related to specifically altering the chest area to remove the excess fatty tissue to appear more cis male.

Bottom Surgery (FTM)- Surgery related to specifically altering the genitalia that was assigned at birth to appear more cis male.

AFAB- Assigned female at birth

Gender- is what you identify as, this is your mental construct of what you identify as

Sex- is your genitalia

Sexuality- is your sexual preferences, or who you are naturally attracted to