Retransition vs. detransition: what testosterone data actually shows

What did @artificialaugust actually say?

They announced stopping testosterone after five years, framing it not as detransition but as a personal evolution, what they call "retransition." They described physical changes after stopping T, including clearer skin and softer features, and made a specific factual claim: "medical transition has a lower regret rate than most medical procedures." They also said gender-affirming care "genuinely saved my life" and that it is "in no way dangerous or detrimental."

The video is personal testimony, and most of it is exactly that. But two claims cross into factual territory: the regret rate comparison and the blanket safety statement. Those deserve scrutiny, because they are being made to 183,000 viewers, some of whom may be making medical decisions.

Does the science back this up?

The regret rate claim is partially supported but presented too cleanly. The broader safety claim is more complicated than stated.

On regret: a systematic review by Bustos et al. (2021, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery) found overall regret rates for gender-affirming surgeries around 1%, which is genuinely low. For comparison, regret rates for knee replacement surgery run 15-30% in some studies (Bourne et al., 2010, Clinical Orthopaedics). So the directional claim holds. However, regret research in this field has real methodological problems: high loss-to-follow-up rates, short follow-up windows, and changing diagnostic criteria over time. The WPATH-aligned literature acknowledges this.

On safety: testosterone therapy does carry documented risks, including polycythemia, lipid changes, and potential cardiovascular effects with long-term use (Irwig, 2017, Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinics of North America). Saying it is "in no way dangerous" is an overclaim. Gender-affirming care has a strong evidence base for improving psychological outcomes, but that is different from saying there are no risks.

What did they get wrong (or right)?

They got the regret rate directionally right. They got the framing of bodily autonomy and psychological benefit largely right, consistent with evidence from van der Miesen et al. (2018, Clinical Psychology Review) showing gender-affirming care improves quality of life and reduces dysphoria in most patients.

Where they overclaimed: "in no way dangerous or detrimental" is not accurate as a universal statement. Testosterone is a controlled medication with real physiologic effects. Stopping testosterone after five years also carries its own transition period, including the return of endogenous hormone cycles if ovarian function resumes, which can involve mood changes, cycle irregularities, and bone density considerations. The creator mentioned emotional difficulty when stopping but did not frame this clinically, which is fair for a personal video but worth naming here.

The word "retransition" versus "detransition" is a personal framing choice, not a medical one. Neither term is a clinical diagnosis. Both describe changes in gender expression or medical treatment. The creator is clear they are not trying to return to a prior identity, which is a valid and documented experience in the literature (Turban et al., 2021, JAMA Network Open).

What should you actually know?

If you are considering stopping testosterone or changing your hormone regimen, this video should not be your clinical guide. Here is what the evidence actually says.

• Stopping exogenous testosterone does not automatically restore prior hormonal baselines. Depending on duration of use and individual ovarian function, resumption of endogenous cycles varies significantly (Grimstad et al., 2021, Journal of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology).
• Some testosterone-induced changes, including voice deepening and clitoral growth, are largely permanent. Facial and body hair may thin but often does not fully reverse. This creator's experience of lighter facial hair is consistent with reported outcomes.
• Bone density is a real consideration. Long-term testosterone use followed by cessation without estrogen replacement may leave some individuals in a hormonal gap. A provider should assess this.
• The regret rate data, while genuinely low, comes from studies with limitations. It should inform your decision but not replace a conversation with a clinician who knows your history.
• Psychological support during hormone changes is not a weakness. The creator mentioned emotional difficulty. That is common and documented, and a mental health provider familiar with gender care is a reasonable resource.