What does this video actually claim?
@themilozone celebrates starting testosterone gel therapy after a five-year wait, using hashtags to promote gender-affirming care for transgender men. The creator doesn't make specific medical claims about testosterone itself but frames it as life-saving treatment worth a long wait.
The video is more personal celebration than medical information. Milo emphasizes the emotional significance of accessing hormone therapy and advocates for gender-affirming care broadly.
What does testosterone gel actually do for trans men?
Testosterone therapy consistently produces masculinizing changes in transgender men, with effects starting within weeks to months. The largest systematic review (T'Sjoen et al., European Journal of Endocrinology, 2019) found voice deepening begins at 3-6 months, facial hair growth at 6-12 months, and muscle mass increases within the first year.
Topical testosterone gels like AndroGel or Testim deliver 50-100mg daily doses through skin absorption. Studies show gel formulations achieve stable testosterone levels in 85-90% of patients within 2-4 weeks of starting therapy.
The mental health benefits are well-documented too. Bauer et al. (BMC Public Health, 2015) surveyed 380 transgender adults and found those with access to hormone therapy had 44% lower odds of suicidal ideation compared to those without access.
Is the five-year wait time accurate?
Unfortunately, yes. Wait times for gender-affirming care vary dramatically by location but often stretch years in many healthcare systems. A 2022 survey by the National Center for Transgender Equality found average wait times of 6-18 months just for initial consultations, with additional delays for hormone prescriptions.
In the UK's NHS system, wait times for gender identity clinics averaged 4-5 years as of 2023. Private healthcare typically reduces this to weeks or months but costs $200-500 monthly without insurance coverage.
The delays aren't medically justified. The World Professional Association for Transgender Health guidelines support starting hormone therapy after appropriate assessment, which can often be completed in a few appointments.
Does gender-affirming care actually save lives?
The research strongly supports this claim, despite ongoing political debates. Bauer et al.'s 2015 study found transgender adults with access to hormone therapy had significantly lower rates of psychological distress and suicidal thoughts.
More recent data from Tordoff et al. (JAMA Network Open, 2022) followed 104 transgender youth for one year after starting hormones. Those receiving treatment had 60% lower odds of moderate depression and 73% lower odds of suicidality compared to baseline.
A systematic review by Ristori and Steensma (Neuropsychiatrie de l'Enfance et de l'Adolescence, 2016) found consistent improvements in quality of life measures across multiple studies of hormone therapy in transgender populations. The effect sizes were large, not marginal.
What should you actually know about starting testosterone?
Testosterone therapy requires ongoing monitoring, something Milo's celebratory video doesn't mention. Healthcare providers typically check blood levels at 3 months, then every 6-12 months to ensure therapeutic ranges and watch for side effects.
Common side effects include acne (in 40-60% of users), male pattern baldness (if genetically predisposed), and increased red blood cell counts requiring monitoring. Cardiovascular risks exist but appear minimal in younger, healthy individuals based on current research.
The changes are largely irreversible. Voice deepening and facial hair growth persist even if someone stops testosterone later. Anyone considering hormone therapy should discuss these permanent effects with qualified healthcare providers first.