What does this video actually claim?
Byron Jónsson describes using testosterone for 14.5 months to achieve "subtle masculinization" as a non-binary person, then stopping for 7 months to "let things settle." They frame this as a valid approach for people who don't want full transition.
The video promotes the idea that cycling on and off testosterone is a reasonable strategy for non-binary individuals seeking partial masculinization. Byron positions this as evidence that you can be a valid trans person regardless of your hormone use pattern.
Is testosterone cycling medically sound?
The research on intentional testosterone cycling for gender-affirming care is practically non-existent. Most studies focus on continuous hormone therapy for binary transgender men or medical testosterone replacement for hypogonadism.
A 2019 study by Klaver et al. in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism followed 209 transgender men on continuous testosterone for 4 years. Voice changes typically occur within 6-12 months and are permanent. Facial hair growth begins around 6 months and continues for years.
The problem with Byron's approach is that many testosterone effects are irreversible once they occur. You can't really "settle" and evaluate changes that have already permanently altered your voice, facial structure, or hair patterns.
What does the science say about stopping testosterone?
When you stop testosterone, your hormone levels typically return to baseline within weeks to months, depending on your natural production. A 2020 study by Ristori et al. found that transgender men who discontinued testosterone saw their menstrual cycles return within 2-6 months.
However, permanent changes like voice deepening, increased body hair, and genital growth don't reverse. This makes the idea of "trying it out" somewhat misleading for people considering testosterone.
The Endocrine Society's 2017 guidelines don't recommend cycling testosterone for gender dysphoria. They emphasize informed consent about permanent changes before starting, not stopping to reassess afterward.
Is this approach actually recommended?
No major medical organization recommends testosterone cycling as a standard approach for non-binary individuals. The World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) Standards of Care emphasize individualized treatment but focus on achieving stable, long-term hormone levels.
Dr. Joshua Safer's 2021 review in Current Opinion in Endocrinology noted that interrupted hormone therapy can cause psychological distress and doesn't prevent permanent changes that have already occurred.
Byron's experience might work for them personally, but framing it as a general strategy is problematic. Most gender-affirming care providers recommend thorough counseling about permanent changes before starting testosterone, not trial periods with breaks.
What should people actually know?
Testosterone causes permanent changes within the first year of use. Voice deepening typically begins around month 3-6 and is irreversible. Facial and body hair growth starts early and continues even after discontinuation.
If you're considering testosterone but want minimal changes, lower doses (25-50mg weekly instead of typical 100-200mg) might be more appropriate than cycling on and off. A 2018 study by Moravek et al. showed that lower doses can slow masculinization while still providing benefits.
The "validity" message Byron shares is important, but couples it with questionable medical advice. Working with experienced gender-affirming healthcare providers to set realistic expectations about permanent vs. reversible changes is more reliable than experimenting with start-stop approaches.