Navigating Fat Redistribution on Testosterone
Everything you need to know!
When AFAB people start Testosterone, some of the big draws are the promise of fat redistribution, facial masculinisation, and more muscle mass.
Now, this journey looks different for everyone. But generally, we will see the fat redistribute from the hips and thighs, seeing an overall reduction in hip circumference.1
Now I’m sure you can relate… fitting into male clothes can be a pain when your hips are screaming 'nope.' Ever found a killer pair of pants or a snazzy shirt only to realise they're either way too long or cling too much to the curves you were hoping wouldn’t be so prominent? Yeah, not the best flavour of gender euphoria for us is it?
But here's the thing that doesn't get enough airtime: while you're losing that hip fat, you might notice a bit more your stomach, and that's what I want to chat about today because it seems to catch a lot of folks off guard.
“Redistribution” is the key word here. So while you see a decrease in your hip and quad and maybe also glute circumference, your body fat is now being stored in a different place, for most of us that’s the abdomen.
Now, I get it. It's a bit weird at first, realising your body's doing its own thing without asking for your opinion. But trust me, it's all normal. And hey, if you're not vibing with it, you have options. You can tweak your dosage or even hit pause on the whole testosterone journey. It's your call, and it doesn't mean you're failing at anything. You're just figuring out what works best for you.
Those that live in softer or larger bodies than others may notice the fat redistribution more, purely due to the fact they are carrying more body fat in the first place. But remember, it's not a bad thing—just part and parcel of the testosterone experience. I have definitely noticed I’m carrying a little more of my fat around my stomach 4 months in, it’s maybe not obvious to those that see me in clothes, but it is to me.
What we don’t want to start thinking is that Testosterone increases fat ‘retention’ which would actually mean your body holds onto MORE fat after taking T, because actually, the research shows an overall body fat decrease after a certain period of time. One study citing that AFAB folks on T lost on average 2.8kg of body fat2 during 1 year of hormone therapy.
So to sum up… yes Testosterone can give you a little bit more of a belly with fat redistribution. BUT… if you do find you are gaining fat rapidly on T, that isn’t necessarily down to the T its self, it may be down to the fact that you are feeling hungrier and eating more whilst you settle into second puberty.
Weight fluctuations are a side effect with any hormonal journey, so no need to worry. Things will even out eventually, especially once you find a dosage that feels right for you.
If however, you're feeling lost in the nutrition department and need the help of your friendly neighbourhood trans masc coach (hi!), you are exactly the person I love to help in Fuzz Culture Club, so feel free to reach out here and we can figure it out together.
Big Love,
Lx
Klaver M, de Blok CJM, Wiepjes CM, Nota NM, Dekker MJHJ, de Mutsert R, Schreiner T, Fisher AD, T'Sjoen G, den Heijer M. Changes in regional body fat, lean body mass and body shape in trans persons using cross-sex hormonal therapy: results from a multicenter prospective study. Eur J Endocrinol. 2018 Feb;178(2):163-171. doi: 10.1530/EJE-17-0496. Epub 2017 Nov 28. PMID: 29183889.
Klaver M, van Velzen D, de Blok C, Nota N, Wiepjes C, Defreyne J, Schreiner T, Fisher A, Twisk J, Seidell J, T'Sjoen G, den Heijer M, de Mutsert R. Change in Visceral Fat and Total Body Fat and the Effect on Cardiometabolic Risk Factors During Transgender Hormone Therapy. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2022 Jan 1;107(1):e153-e164. doi: 10.1210/clinem/dgab616. PMID: 34415999; PMCID: PMC8684493.