• Monument@lemmy.sdf.org
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      7 days ago

      Ironically, one of the side effects of using testosterone - commonly used for men with low testosterone - is breast tissue growth.

      Surgery to remove it would be a double whammy of (CIS) gender affirming care.

      • auraithx@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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        6 days ago

        Excess testosterone will be converted into estrogen by the body, for anyone else confused as to why we all didn’t have boobs.

        Testosterone itself (in the body) suppresses boob growth.

        • Monument@lemmy.sdf.org
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          6 days ago

          Ooh. That makes sense. I read that on a side effects list and thought it was interesting, but didn’t realize that was the mechanism of action.

          I would suppose if someone grows breast tissue from using testosterone, then they should use less. (Which kind of means my original comment is a bit circular, or rather, the surgery would perhaps be unnecessary if the correct amounts/dosage were used.)

          • auraithx@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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            6 days ago

            Aye, but if the dose of T is not too high (a person can need a certain level to feel healthy), their doctor can prescribe a Aromatase inhibitor instead (the enzyme which converts T -> E)

            However, if they leave it too long (1yr+) and the tissue becomes fibrotic; then surgery is the only way to remove it. So your hypothetical has no doubt happened.

        • Anivia@feddit.org
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          6 days ago

          Excess testosterone will be converted into estrogen by the body

          FTFY

          Aromatization of testosterone happens in everyone, regardless if they have “excess” testosterone or not