1. Sudden versus gradual stopping: what your body might feel
Several people who quit estrogen or testosterone say the first weeks can mimic a rough menopause—hot flashes, irritability, fatigue, even fainting spells. A slow taper is the common-sense way to soften that crash. One man who had removed his testicles recalled, “I was basically on menopause for about a month… the worst that’ll happen is feeling irritable and weak.” – MxMCube source [citation:76fa32b8-a119-4064-814f-558067d4923e] A woman who had injected testosterone for seven-and-a-half years simply tapered on her own and told readers, “I quit by tapering and no medical supervision… I’ve been off T 9 months now.” – knology source [citation:3e5ea666-a8bc-484e-bb06-1ef4c84f771c] Whether you choose a schedule or stop abruptly, expect a window of mood swings and plan gentle routines while your system recalibrates.

2. Long-term health realities if gonads are missing
If testes or ovaries have been removed, the body no longer makes its own sex hormone; quitting cold-turkey then carries bone, heart and energy risks. The same post-orchi man warned, “Just don’t go off hormones for over a year or your bones start getting weak.” – MxMCube source [citation:76fa32b8-a119-4064-814f-558067d4923e] Another detrans man wrote, “Males shouldn’t take estrogen… I was not generating testosterone because I foolishly had my testicles removed.” – birdcatcher9 source [citation:1355c30c-fc3f-40a3-9b48-0ae95e24bb8e] In plain language: if your natural hormone factory is gone, you will probably need some form of hormone (testosterone for males, estrogen/progesterone for females) for life to protect bones, blood vessels and mood. A primary-care doctor, gynecologist, or endocrinologist can measure levels and prescribe the smallest effective dose.

3. Re-starting your own hormones: patience is measured in months, not days
People who still have ovaries or testes often see their own production wake up, but the timetable is slow. One woman explained, “Most people here wait several months first to see if their hormones and period restart by themselves… getting your hormone levels in female range works the same for us as women in general.” – furbysaysburnthings source [citation:996cb812-dc2e-4def-ab7a-082a5d5e302e] Another woman who weaned off estrogen added, “It can take up to a year if not longer for your hormones to naturally balance out… your body will feel a lot better when it adjusts.” – Mahoganysss source [citation:982ea8b7-9fc9-4777-b0e1-547a3a6fb19f] While you wait, balanced food, gentle movement, and stress-reduction practices (therapy, mindfulness, creative hobbies) give the brain the safety signal it needs to turn the internal hormone tap back on.

4. Emotional waves are part of the package—plan support in advance
Almost every account mentions a “roller-coaster” of feelings. One woman wrote, “The next few months are going to be a wild roller-coaster ride of emotions… your body gets used to you putting T inside yourself so it naturally stops making T altogether.” – Lilviolin source [citation:7ab6ba58-50fa-428f-acae-8c9f2a207d7c] Another noted that very low hormone levels can darken mood: “Birth-control actually crashes your T even lower… I think that was exacerbating depression.” – furbysaysburnthings source [citation:996cb812-dc2e-4def-ab7a-082a5d5e302e] Line up at least one trusted friend, an online or local support group, and—if possible—a therapist who understands gender distress without pushing medical answers. Journaling, regular sleep, and sunlight remain the cheapest mood stabilizers available.

5. Ordinary doctors can finish the journey—no special “detransition clinic” required
You do not need a new label to receive basic hormone care. The same woman who visited Planned Parenthood reminded readers, “You don’t need a ‘detransition’ specialist… I just went to Planned Parenthood and got birth-control for a quick fix… You’re a woman; getting levels into the normal female range works the same for us.” – furbysaysburnthings source [citation:996cb812-dc2e-4def-ab7a-082a5d5e302e] Bring a short timeline of what you took, for how long, and when you stopped; ask for blood work (LH, FSH, estradiol, testosterone, vitamin D, thyroid) and, if necessary, the smallest dose of the hormone your body would naturally make. If the first clinician hesitates, try another—mainstream gynecologists, urologists, and endocrinologists manage hormone shortages every day.

A closing thought

Choosing to stop synthetic hormones is not a leap into the unknown; it is a return trip whose scenery you already know. Expect a season of physical recalibration—lighter or heavier at times—and treat the emotional waves as signals, not verdicts. Keep your bones safe, give your body months, not minutes, to wake up its own chemistry, and borrow courage from the many who walked this path before you. Non-conformity with gendered expectations is not a medical condition; it is a human right. With patient monitoring, gentle self-care, and everyday doctors, you can reclaim a stable, healthy baseline and let your personality—not a prescription—define you.