Woman Describes Effects of Testosterone and Surgery Started at Age 14

A woman who began medical interventions at age 14 now reports permanent physical changes from testosterone treatment and a double mastectomy performed eight months later. She stated that doctors prescribed testosterone one week after her 14th birthday without exploring alternatives or addressing reported childhood sexual abuse.

The woman said no clinician suggested that her distress might relate to trauma or typical adolescent development.

The woman described urological complications including bladder pain, bleeding, and loss of control that required adult diapers at times. She also reported vaginal atrophy, pain during gynecological exams, and enlargement of the clitoris that causes ongoing chafing.

Testosterone permanently altered her voice, she said, preventing normal projection and causing pain when speaking for extended periods. She reported recurring nightmares about being unable to call for help. Surgeons removed her healthy breast tissue at age 14 using a drains-free technique associated with higher nipple graft complication rates.

Parts of her chest tissue died, leaving open wounds and permanent nerve damage.

The woman said three clinicians approved the interventions despite her disclosure of sexual abuse and the timing of her distress. She stated that she was too young to vote, rent a car, or sign contracts but was considered able to consent to the procedures.

At 21, she reports that she cannot restore her original voice, reverse the surgical changes, or regain the ability to breastfeed future children. She said she shares her account to highlight the lack of long-term data on these interventions for adolescents.