she offered hayward the option of using testosterone microdoses – less than one-tenth of what he was receiving before his cancer diagnosis – as a means to continue hormone therapy.
“but even if we give you these tiny doses of testosterone,” druce warned him, “it may increase your risk of this cancer coming back.”
such a small amount of testosterone might not help his musculature, druce told hayward, but it would promote his mental well-being, energy and libido. meanwhile, his deeper voice, facial and body hair would remain unchanged.
hayward had to decide if he would accept a small cancer risk in order to continue his hormone therapy and maintain his identity.
“it was a really tough decision to do any of this,” he said. “i really had to sit down and weigh the pros and cons.”
he ultimately opted to take the small doses of testosterone.
“it’s a bit of a compromise, but as far as i’m concerned, i’d rather live ten years and be myself and happy in those ten years than live 20 and be miserable,” said hayward.
he has not suffered any ill-effects since restarting testosterone therapy last year.
spencer hayward, outside his home, saturday, june 24, 2023.
ashley fraser
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postmedia