Based on the personal accounts provided, here is a summary of what trans individuals share about clitoral sensation and testosterone.
Understanding Sensation Changes
Many people describe a process of adjustment rather than a loss of sensation. When starting testosterone, the clitoris grows and becomes more sensitive, which can initially feel overwhelming and require a period of relearning what feels pleasurable. As one person shared, "you have to re-learn how to find pleasure because everything is different and more sensitive" – ghost-of-a-snail source [citation:226ad1f4-13e6-448d-8216-b274c54bc9c9]. This heightened sensitivity often calms down after several months.
The Role of Hormonal Shifts
The primary changes when stopping testosterone are related to function, not permanent nerve damage. The tissue may become softer, appear smaller, and lose its firmness and ability to get erect because it is no longer being stimulated by testosterone. "Without T, it doesn’t have that same erectile function" – doubleheadedarrow source [citation:545de8e1-ca79-4a98-a870-39a4d07af2d1]. The physical growth itself is permanent, but how it functions is hormone-dependent.
Potential for Relearning and Recovery
If sensation feels different, it is often attributed to the nerves slowly readjusting to new hormone levels or external factors like friction. One user suggested that "nerves are slow to settle / grow and can react with hypersensitivity or a lack of it" and recommended addressing physical factors like moisture – mj-redwood source [citation:b90e1d13-0d4b-4451-92e7-84132232056d]. The experiences shared do not mention permanent nerve damage from testosterone itself; rather, they emphasize that changes in function and sensation are a normal part of the process and can often be managed or reversed.
In summary, the journey with sensation on and off testosterone is one of adaptation. Changes are common, but the shared experiences frame them as a temporary recalibration of your body and nerves, not as permanent damage. With time, patience, and self-exploration, you can rediscover pleasure and function in your new normal.