Androcur

[Carmen]

Hey there everyone!

My Endo appointment is on the 10th of April, however my GP got me going on Androcur.

As a 23 year old, with a fairly slender build and fairly fast metabolism, what can I honestly expect from this?  I know I wont get proper feminization, but how my "de-masculinization" can expect to see?



Removed medication dosage per Terms of Service.

[Jamie D]

Hi Carmen, hope you do well with your AA.  Unfortunately for me and others in the U.S., Androcur is not approved.

[Henna]

The Androcur alone wont feminize you. It's just antiandrogen.

I know some people can manage it of being only on Androcur, but it might make you feel like you have a menopause, as you are not getting any replacement hormone (estrogen) to fill what Androcur blocks.

[Carrie Liz]

Well, basically Androcur is pretty much the same as Spiro, the only difference in terms of effects is that it isn't as much of a diuretic, and doesn't lower blood pressure like Spiro can. (Which isn't necessarily a desirable thing, since estraidol can raise your blood pressure... so Spiro actually offsets it a bit, while Androcur doesn't.) Essentially, Androcur by itself will basically make you have the same hormone levels as a eunuch given enough time. And since I'm a member of another site where LOTS of people use this drug for the purposes of chemical castration, here are the most common effects that people report:

-Decreased sex drive
-"Eunuch calm," a sense that there's no hurry, and a loss of that male competitiveness and anger response.
-Tiredness and Lethargy, feeling less motivated
-Loss of sexual function
-Insomnia / Shallower sleep
-Hot flashes
-Weight gain (it drops your metabolism.)
-Loss of muscle mass
-Possible bone loss (be careful...)
-Lessening of body hair

There won't be much feminization, if any, on Androcur alone. On the plus side, it will halt future masculinization, because no T means basically that you have the hormone levels of a pre-pubescent boy again, but that's about the extent of it. There might be slight changes in muscle mass and body hair, and there will be BIG changes in libido (eventually, those on Androcur long enough will pretty much lose the capacity to orgasm completely. It will get weaker and weaker with time, until it feels like it's not even worth it anymore, and you just lose interest in it completely.) That's pretty much what will happen with time, after a few months or so.

[Carmen]

Thanks guys!

Carrie,  to be honest, that is exactly what I was hoping for.  I am not ready to go fulltime just yet, I want to get some forehead recontouring done (possible by Spiegle) also a tracheal shave, and the obvious hair removal.  I did my first session of laser three weeks back and I am starting electrolyisis in a few weeks.

The "gate keeper" told me that there is a good chance the endo won't put me on a full regimine of estrogen until I am few months off of going fulltime. Stupid I know. I don't plan to go full time until I feel that I will be able to "pass" with out make up.    He said all of the feelings associated with HRT add to the "good vibes" and help set the mood for transition, sounds like hogwash but if I can become eunuch like for the mean while I can take that.

I just don't like the male feelings of agression, and the constant need to be the "alpha male/ center of attention" that I have felt for my 23 years. I dislike the masculine body hair, I HATE the random erections, and I despise how sexual I am.  I told my partner that I am going to try to abstain for her sake and mine.  It would be impossible for her to keep  up with my male sex drive.

So you say I should experiance those with in a few months? 

What do you mean by "bone loss"?  Is that the loss of density my docotr told me about?  If so he mentioned that people sometimes lose height because of that.  Which I don't hate the sound of as I am 5'10.

As for the muscle mass issue, I just want to get back to the slender softer build I had in my early teens. But I don't want to loose what I have going on on my legs, is it just the "masculine spots (arms chest) that are affected?

[Ellieka]

I was lucky enough to get it for a short time through a legal loop hole in the US and I got to say, I loved how well it works. One of my biggest disphoria triggers was a very high libido. Andro killed it almost completely. Unfortunately I started having stomach problems because of it so I had to go back to higher doses of spiro. 

[Carmen]

What do you mean by the libido being a dysphooruia trigger?  Like made you dislike being a male?  Also sadly, spiro   did nothing for me.

[Padma]

I was on Androcur for around 8 months, and it worked very well as a T/DHT uptake suppressant. I got switched to Decapeptyl after that because of concerns over potential liver harm from Androcur (though I'd shown no signs of this) and the Decapeptyl (which suppresses T production directly) has been even more effective. I've never been on either without Estradiol as well, so I don't know what effect that would have, but they're both very effective anti-androgens.

[big kim]

I was on it for a short time 2 months but never got on with it,I got bad acne,weight gain,mood swings and depression.This doesn't mean you will,we're all different and it may work well for you.

[Dahlia]

I was on it for a short time 2 months but never got on with it,I got bad acne,weight gain,mood swings and depression.This doesn't mean you will,we're all different and it may work well for you.

Really? Bad acne? Androcur prevents acne?

[Carrie Liz]

Carrie,  to be honest, that is exactly what I was hoping for.

I just don't like the male feelings of agression, and the constant need to be the "alpha male/ center of attention" that I have felt for my 23 years. I dislike the masculine body hair, I HATE the random erections, and I despise how sexual I am.  I told my partner that I am going to try to abstain for her sake and mine.  It would be impossible for her to keep  up with my male sex drive.

So you say I should experiance those with in a few months? 

What do you mean by "bone loss"?  Is that the loss of density my docotr told me about?  If so he mentioned that people sometimes lose height because of that.  Which I don't hate the sound of as I am 5'10.

As for the muscle mass issue, I just want to get back to the slender softer build I had in my early teens. But I don't want to loose what I have going on on my legs, is it just the "masculine spots (arms chest) that are affected?

First of all, what I listed are just the most common effects that people report. I should have mentioned, your mileage will vary... a lot. Heck, there are a few cases where some people get no effects whatsoever from it. So do not expect that you will get ALL of these effects. Some barely need any of the stuff in order for it to make their T levels drop like a rock, while others, no matter how much of it they take, it has no effect on them whatsoever. So you cannot say anything definitive about how long it will take, and when the effects will begin. Some lose more strength than others. Some feel VERY tired and lethargic, others don't. Some get absolutely terrible suicidal depression, and a feeling like they no longer have a purpose in life. That is a very real side-effect that some people get. Others don't. Some lose body hair. Others don't. Some feel it almost immediately when taking it. Some don't feel the effects for several weeks. Most of the time, T-production starts dropping off after a few weeks, and continues to drop until a couple of months in, and that is when most of the effects happen. But again, your mileage will vary.

Also, when I say that you're going to lose sexual function, I really hope that you understand that I do mean completely. On full HRT, although your sex-drive generally does ease, it generally just changes to more female patterns. Orgasm is still possible. But on androcur alone, after a few months it really will go away COMPLETELY. As in, given enough time, you'll basically be a eunuch, pretty much incapable of ANY sexual function. So it's not just a matter of being more "in control" and trying to lessen your sex-drive so that it's not as often. After long enough, you'll barely even be able to get an erection even when you actually want one. Just making sure that you know this... since you were talking about your "partner" and her trying to "keep up" with your sex-drive.

And when I say "bone loss," yes, I do mean density. And that is no laughing matter. I'm talking about osteoperosis. Having NO sex hormones in your body basically gives you the same risk factor as a post-menopausal woman. So this is not just something to laugh about and say "hey, I might lose some height." This part of it is serious business.

Again, just making sure that you understand. If you still feel like this is what you want, and that you might enjoy being more like a eunuch instead of like a normal male, then more power to you.

[spacial]

I'd take it in a flash.

There can be some complications for some people when they stop being soaked in their respective sex hormones. This seems to be one of the principal reasons for people to stop transition. In these cases, I understand it is sometimes recommended since it is essentially reversable.

I recall that much from my researches before I knew Susans' existed. In fact, I found that information on a site which supports those who elect to have orchedectomies, but with no interest in altering their precieved gender.

Sadly, the site has disappeared for some reason. I haven't visted in ages as always seemed very male (and as normal as any male can be) to me. But they were respectfully acknowledging to Transgender.

[Henna]

But on androcur alone, after a few months it really will go away COMPLETELY. As in, given enough time, you'll basically be a eunuch, pretty much incapable of ANY sexual function. So it's not just a matter of being more "in control" and trying to lessen your sex-drive so that it's not as often. After long enough, you'll barely even be able to get an erection even when you actually want one. Just making sure that you know this... since you were talking about your "partner" and her trying to "keep up" with your sex-drive.

Not trying to start an argument, but the above really depends on person. It's not a general rule that the above happens with Androcur.

I've heard a person who when rolled into the surgery hall for SRS, had an erection after being for years on HRT including Androcur. The last time...

[Carrie Liz]

Not trying to start an argument, but the above really depends on person. It's not a general rule that the above happens with Androcur.

I've heard a person who when rolled into the surgery hall for SRS, had an erection after being for years on HRT including Androcur. The last time...

I wouldn't call that starting an argument... especially since I did definitely say "Your mileage will vary." This is pretty much the rule. Nobody reacts to it the same way.

[Padma]

I hardly had any side effects - apart from sexual dysfunction, which was fairly comprehensive.

[kelly_aus]

If it works for you, Androcur is a great choice for an AA. If it doesn't, it can be hell.

After about a year on Androcur, I had a melt down, like a major depressive episode type melt down. My Psychiatrist advised me, in consultation with my Gyno, to stop taking it - within 2 weeks I was back to my old happy self. And after a year just on E with no AA, I still have lower T levels than either me Gyno or I would like.

Possibly TMI, but I never had any sexual dysfunction while I was on it and don't have any now.

[JoanneB]

I've been on/off HRT several times since my 20's. I've done Spiro and Andro. Andro kicks T ass! It was about a month before my T level was in the sub-basement while at the same time the super oily skin and man-stink disappeared. After 2 years cut back to 1/4 of what I was taking my T is still waaay down into normal female range. I am sure Estrogen is helping a lot also

[Ellieka]

What do you mean by the libido being a dysphooruia trigger?  Like made you dislike being a male?  Also sadly, spiro   did nothing for me.

Exactly. Whenever my sex drive would kick in and I would become aroused it just made it all the more obvious that my body wasn't right. So I loved the fact that andro pretty much eliminated my libido.

[Carmen]

Well, to be honest I want to start proper HRT right now, but with the way my life is at the moment, I can't start estrogen.  As for sexual function, my girlfriend has only ever done it for me, she does not like sex, never has, and most likely never will.  The issue of sex has caused no end of arguments and strain in the past.  To the point that I forced my self to abstain for sex for a full year.  In that time my masterbation patters were eratic, I had to use all the will power I had not to relive myself.   So yes, if I had no sexual function, and no desire tomorrow, I would be happy.  Saying that, I don't want to be a eunuch, I am a woman in a male body, but at this point I can only take what I get.  As for the bone loss situation, I wasnt making light of it... I genuinely meant that>  The way I see it, I currently have a health defect, that has made me want to hang myself for years now.  As I start to correct this defect, I can just learn to accept that with the luck i get in my miserable life, that a different health issue will take its place.  I also know of all of the cancer risks associated with HRT.  The way I see it is, if it happens it happens.  It is better than the alternative, which doesnt give you a shot at life.

I may seem negative, but I have really becom jaded. Facially I am passable right now, and unlike lots of people I am able to afford to further that with FFS.  However beig pretty doens help with how you feel inside.

[Carrie Liz]

Well, then, it sounds like you know exactly what you're doing, and I wish you a ton of happiness and success!

I was actually on androcur myself for about a month and a half while I was still DIY'ing, and I must say, it is definitely potent stuff. I felt the effects almost immediately, and it had pretty much already completely knocked all of the T out of my system by the time I finally got the checkup for switching to official medically-supervised HRT at about the one-and-a-half month mark.