Hi, Ande! I'm nonbinary transmasc. I would suggest getting advice from a doctor on whether you should take testosterone, especially considering the history of heart disease in your family. Planned Parenthood does HRT pretty affordably and has doctors that can help you understand what you're getting yourself into, in case your doctor isn't sure or you want a second opinion. You're right that hormones can do a LOT of crazy things to your body, and it's important that you understand that. As for whether it's right for gender affirmation, you have to figure that out for yourself, but a therapist with experience in transgender care can help guide you. The questions I had to ask myself was 1. How do I want to be perceived in this binary world (masc or femme)? 2. Do I want to be an "old man" when I grow up or an "old woman"? 3. Am I prepared for how testosterone can affect my physical health, considering my family history and current health problems? I also decided to wait two years after coming out and presenting as my gender before going on testosterone just to be certain that it's what I wanted. Two years was right for me, but that time frame may be shorter or longer for you. I also watched a lot of YouTube videos on testosterone changes and how other people came to realize their gender and what they needed/wanted to affirm that, which helped a lot.

Hi! I’m transmasc and was on testosterone for 3 years. I stopped due to complications with my severe acne. I don’t regret it, however. It helped my mental health a lot, and I feel much more at home in my body now. I do not know enough about your situation to offer exact medical advice. However, if you feel that T is your next step, you can always stick to a small dose, and you can stop whenever you like! It’s your journey, you choose how much and for how long. Coming out can be anxiety inducing, but I definitely think you should talk to your doctor—especially since she has a pronoun pin! You already know she’s on your side. Best of luck to you!! 💕🏳️‍⚧️