I’m 21, just diagnosed with locah, and about to start hormone treatments. I’m utterly terrified that lower testosterone levels etc. will change my personality somewhat, that I’ll lose my tomboyishness, my visual/math skills, my analytical mind, my love of violent sports, my high sex drive, etc. My endocrinologist tells me that the hormones shouldn’t affect these things, and that if they do, it’s all in my head. I remain unconvinced. Does going on hormones affect these things? Does it change who you are? Does it lower your sex drive? I remember going on the Pill and crying more easily while on it. I’m all too scared. I love who I am, I don’t want to change.

By your post I’m assuming you’re female ("...going on the Pill"). If you’re 21 most of your personality would be pretty much set, regardless of hormones, especially in regards to "Tomboyishness", visual/math skills, analytical mind, love of violent sports. I understand that testosterone levels do affect libido, but since CAH and LOCAH produce androgens, not specifically testosterone, this may not be the case, you’d need to check with your endocrinologist about the difference. The hormones will simply supply that that has been lacking, which your body attempted to replace with the wrong ones (thus the extra androgens).

Someone else may have personal experience in regards to the effects of Cortef and Florinef one someone who hasn’t taken them before, but I kinda doubt it’ll be as severe as you are anticipating. You are who you choose to be.