Progesterone

[KayXo]

I don't feel big moods swings like genetic girls do, at least not so far...

I would think that mood swings in genetic women would be caused by their menstrual cycle and fluctuating hormone levels throughout the month whereas we, for the most part, take our hormones continuously and levels are much more stable, preventing mood swings.

I wonder if progesterone make genetic girls feel mild euphoria sometimes?  Or is this only the case for trans girls?

Well, if we take progesterone orally, then we probably get much more of the metabolites that produce the sedative, "hypnotic" effects so I would think the euphoric effect (if caused by metabolites) is much milder in genetic girls whereas there is more a chance it could be experienced during pregnancy when progesterone levels are much higher as well as its metabolites.

Interestingly enough, from several studies I've come across, it would seem that most women's moods actually worsen around the time progesterone rises, more so in certain women than in others.

I was just wondering what you think the effects would be for a male to take progesterone with low dose E or no E at all.  I understand men also produce progesterone and it diminishes as they get older.  Some speculate this is why DHT levels increase.

E appears to prime the body for P since it upregulates (increases) progesterone receptors so the more E it seems, the greater the effect of P. As far as other effects of P goes, like the "euphoria", if this is caused by its metabolites, then it wouldn't matter how much E you take but it would matter how you take P as metabolites are greater when taken orally vs non-orally. Some studies also suggest estrogen is anti-depressive and enhances mood. But, as always, nothing is definitive.

In the end, your best bet is to consult with a doctor and let them decide what is best for you, at this stage of your life...of course, with your consent. You may discuss about the above with them and see what they have they say. Perhaps, they can help clarify things.

[Paige]

E appears to prime the body for P since it upregulates (increases) progesterone receptors so the more E it seems, the greater the effect of P. As far as other effects of P goes, like the "euphoria", if this is caused by its metabolites, then it wouldn't matter how much E you take but it would matter how you take P as metabolites are greater when taken orally vs non-orally. Some studies also suggest estrogen is anti-depressive and enhances mood. But, as always, nothing is definitive.

In the end, your best bet is to consult with a doctor and let them decide what is best for you, at this stage of your life...of course, with your consent. You may discuss about the above with them and see what they have they say. Perhaps, they can help clarify things.

Thanks KayXo,  that's very helpful.  I've never approached my family doctor, my therapist thinks I should but I've never had the guts.  Known him for too long and he's my wife's doctor as well.  I would love to start low dose but I can't figure a way to do it without the GP.  I think I would need his referral to an endo  too and he would want to know why.  I also believe it's pretty tricky to get a prescription from another doctor without your family doctor finding out.

Take care,
Paige 

[JohannaJohn]

I would think that mood swings in genetic women would be caused by their menstrual cycle and fluctuating hormone levels throughout the month whereas we, for the most part, take our hormones continuously and levels are much more stable, preventing mood swings.

Well, if we take progesterone orally, then we probably get much more of the metabolites that produce the sedative, "hypnotic" effects so I would think the euphoric effect (if caused by metabolites) is much milder in genetic girls whereas there is more a chance it could be experienced during pregnancy when progesterone levels are much higher as well as its metabolites.

Interestingly enough, from several studies I've come across, it would seem that most women's moods actually worsen around the time progesterone rises, more so in certain women than in others.

Kay, thanks much for your specific thoughts.  Well, I don't take my daily micronized progesterone on and off like a menstrual cycle which I have read maybe SOME trans-girls do it that way -- I do it the way YOU described -- continuously at about the same time of day everyday (near bedtime).

Well, I take my micronized progesterone orally but sublingually...so maybe that is in part why I feel SO great so much of the time...WOWOWOWOWOWOW!

I LOVE micronized progesterone.



By the way, I haven't had ANY erections during the past week or so.  No problem with that...I am SO happy with my protruding nipples are starting-to-develop breasts.

Not that I want to stop the hormones, but if I ever were to stop them for, say, a month, I wonder if I would then get super frequent erections as before staring hormones?

I also wonder if therefore it would be likely I could father another child, then start my female hormones regimen again after about 30 days without female hormones.

I LOVE my developing breasts.  The "girls" seem a little "fuller" compared to earlier this week.  I could be "imagining" this...but I think it is real...I don't think I am imagining things...

Johanna

E appears to prime the body for P since it upregulates (increases) progesterone receptors so the more E it seems, the greater the effect of P. As far as other effects of P goes, like the "euphoria", if this is caused by its metabolites, then it wouldn't matter how much E you take but it would matter how you take P as metabolites are greater when taken orally vs non-orally. Some studies also suggest estrogen is anti-depressive and enhances mood. But, as always, nothing is definitive.

In the end, your best bet is to consult with a doctor and let them decide what is best for you, at this stage of your life...of course, with your consent. You may discuss about the above with them and see what they have they say. Perhaps, they can help clarify things.

[Lady_Oracle]

I was trying to remember an email and for the life of me I couldn't remember it. Shortly after taking my p (sublingually), I suddenly remembered it!! It could of just been a coincidence but whatever lol.

[GingerMaxim]

Kay, those are some interesting points you make about injections vs. sublingually. and some possible interaction effects of E and P.

I am just 4 and a half week on hormones E and P, and my hair on my head SEEMS little softer...just maybe a small diference so far.

Part of the face on my skin SEEMS, anyway, to be softer and smoother, maybe with even a very slight glistening although the shine or glistening part may be my imagination, I am not sure...but certainly part of my face is smoother and softer.

I don't feel big moods swings like genetic girls do, at least not so far...

I wonder if progesterone make genetic girls feel mild euphoria sometimes?  Or is this only the case for trans girls?

Does anyone know about this?

Johanna

I have read that taking Testosterone blockers is arguably not a good idea or makes much of a difference. I understood that if you don't take T blockers it would take ALOT longer for all the changes to come into play? Now I am not taking 100% E & P as you are, I presume... So would you say in your opinion that T blockers are not really needed? And also T blockers are and can be a detriment to ones health? I am taking SupreFact which I assume is T blocker.  Could you give me your opinions thank you so much....
Ginger...

[KayXo]

I was trying to remember an email and for the life of me I couldn't remember it. Shortly after taking my p (sublingually), I suddenly remembered it!! It could of just been a coincidence but whatever lol.

Yea, I also noticed that progesterone in combination with enough estrogen has helped a lot with memory. My vocabulary suddenly improves and I can more easily access words which are stored somewhere in my brain. Really cool. I think it's probably cause the brain is much more relaxed. And something to do with progesterone affecting myelin sheath which speeds up transmission of signals in the brain. 

I have read that taking Testosterone blockers is arguably not a good idea or makes much of a difference. I understood that if you don't take T blockers it would take ALOT longer for all the changes to come into play? Now I am not taking 100% E & P as you are, I presume... So would you say in your opinion that T blockers are not really needed? And also T blockers are and can be a detriment to ones health? I am taking SupreFact which I assume is T blocker.  Could you give me your opinions thank you so much....
Ginger...

Suprefact is not a T blocker, it just reduces (i.e. stops) testosterone production from testicles. Spironolactone, cyproterone acetate, bicalutamide are T blockers because they bind to androgen receptors and prevent testosterone from binding to androgen receptors.

I have not EVER noticed that transwomen taking anti-androgens developed any worse than women taking just E and P. In fact, it usually seems that adding an anti-androgen is often quite useful and beneficial but whether it's needed or not should be left to the doctor's discretion. In some cases, E is enough on its own.

[JohannaJohn]

Yea, I also noticed that progesterone in combination with enough estrogen has helped a lot with memory. My vocabulary suddenly improves and I can more easily access words which are stored somewhere in my brain. Really cool. I think it's probably cause the brain is much more relaxed. And something to do with progesterone affecting myelin sheath which speeds up transmission of signals in the brain. 

Suprefact is not a T blocker, it just reduces (i.e. stops) testosterone production from testicles. Spironolactone, cyproterone acetate, bicalutamide are T blockers because they bind to androgen receptors and prevent testosterone from binding to androgen receptors.

I have not EVER noticed that transwomen taking anti-androgens developed any worse than women taking just E and P. In fact, it usually seems that adding an anti-androgen is often quite useful and beneficial but whether it's needed or not should be left to the doctor's discretion. In some cases, E is enough on its own.

Kay, very insightful answer.  Congrats on this helpful post.

I have heard of E and P being successful (this is how I am doing it 5 weeks in -- I have Spiro in my house, but I have never used it to this point).
I have heard of some success with primarily just a true anti-androgen medical grade to start with...Spiro or cypro, for example, and adding E later.
I have heard of E and spiro being successful, without P.

I don't want to give up my micronized progesterone.  It just makes me FEEL so great, and SO right.  I want to continue and continue and continue with P!!!
My nipples and areolas look ready for a baby to nurse on them.  SO cool!!!

My erections have disappeared totally.  This is fine.  Just one question about this...does anyone know that if, say, within 6 more months, I were to hypothetically stop for say 30 days with the female hormones, is it likely I would be able to father another child, then return to taking E and P again as I currently am?

I would probably experience significant mental distress if I were to stop the female hormones for 30 days, but maybe that would be worth it if I want to father another child during this time period, then continue my transition.

I have read that in such a case, I would NOT during this 30 day "abstinance" from E and P, have any problem with "losing" my breasts (except they might shrink just very slightly during such a 30 day "abstinance"), so that aspect would be okay.

As to using E and P and spiro/cypro/etc, all 3 of these, I have read of plenty of success stories using all 3.

Johanna.

[JohannaJohn]

Kay, that was a truly excellent post, so you merited an "applause" of one reputation point to the plus.

Johanna.

[JessicaH]

http://www.medpagetoday.com/MeetingCoverage/ENDO/46497

***Make sure you read the whole article. It's short***

Lindsey Spratt, MD, of Maine Medical Center in Portland, and colleagues reported that all 12 of the male-to-female patients they saw at their clinic achieved levels of testosterone within the normal range for an adult female (1.1 to 6.3 pg/mL) by using estradiol doses of 4 to 10 mg/day with spironolactone 100 to 200 mg/day.

Spratt said her findings suggest that most transgender patients may not need additional agents beyond estrogen therapy to suppress endogenous gonadal activity, and that it should be assessed alone "before adding additional endocrine therapies to suppress ovarian or testicular activity to avoid unnecessary expense or side effects."

[KayXo]

Lindsey Spratt, MD, of Maine Medical Center in Portland, and colleagues reported that all 12 of the male-to-female patients they saw at their clinic achieved levels of testosterone within the normal range for an adult female (1.1 to 6.3 pg/mL) by using estradiol doses of 4 to 10 mg/day with spironolactone 100 to 200 mg/day.

Spratt said her findings suggest that most transgender patients may not need additional agents beyond estrogen therapy to suppress endogenous gonadal activity, and that it should be assessed alone "before adding additional endocrine therapies to suppress ovarian or testicular activity to avoid unnecessary expense or side effects."

This statement does not align with their findings since Spironolactone was ALSO used! 

Just one question about this...does anyone know that if, say, within 6 more months, I were to hypothetically stop for say 30 days with the female hormones, is it likely I would be able to father another child

No way of knowing for sure but I think (I'm not a doctor or specialist) the sooner you stop, the better. Just common sense but who knows?? You need to address this concern to a doctor or a fertility specialist and I think this also probably varies from one person to another.

[Kristina77]

This statement does not align with their findings since Spironolactone was ALSO used! 

No way of knowing for sure but I think (I'm not a doctor or specialist) the sooner you stop, the better. Just common sense but who knows?? You need to address this concern to a doctor or a fertility specialist and I think this also probably varies from one person to another.

Typical 'research' into trans-related hormone therapies.  We haven't done more research, but we probably should! In the meantime try super low dosages because you'll probably get side affects- even though we have no research to back up that claim.

[JohannaJohn]

Many aspect of HRT are highly variable.

Lack of relevant research, or old research studies using obsolete and dangerous side effects substances such as Premarin and Ethynyl Estradiol and non-pure Progesterone forms that produce dangerous side effects, and then MD's still sometimes base their prescription to you based on obsolete and incorrect studies...

And then the more recent knowledge we, since maybe 2008??? Or so, hasn't been fully backed up yet (but it hasn't been disproven, either) by sufficient sample size double-blind research studies.

It would be REALLY nice to know what the effects would be, of taking HRT STRONGLY for 3 months or 4 months, then deciding you want to father just ONE more baby and your cis-girlfriend or wife wants this...and go through some agony of lack of the proper hormones for your female self gender, but physically produce your last baby, and then start again with the correct female hormones in your body to continue your transition to your true female self.

It would be great to have research studies about this, and I am not sure it would be incredibly difficult to do.  Thousands of new transgirls worldwide start HRT every month.  Surely SOMEPLACE this could produce a statistically-valid, double-blind sample size that could indisputably make conclusions about, for example, the subject I raised in the immediately above paragraph.

Hugs, Girls, from your ecstatic-about-great-results-so-far friend here,
Johanna.

[Kristina77]

Many aspect of HRT are highly variable.

Lack of relevant research, or old research studies using obsolete and dangerous side effects substances such as Premarin and Ethynyl Estradiol and non-pure Progesterone forms that produce dangerous side effects, and then MD's still sometimes base their prescription to you based on obsolete and incorrect studies...

And then the more recent knowledge we, since maybe 2008??? Or so, hasn't been fully backed up yet (but it hasn't been disproven, either) by sufficient sample size double-blind research studies.

It would be REALLY nice to know what the effects would be, of taking HRT STRONGLY for 3 months or 4 months, then deciding you want to father just ONE more baby and your cis-girlfriend or wife wants this...and go through some agony of lack of the proper hormones for your female self gender, but physically produce your last baby, and then start again with the correct female hormones in your body to continue your transition to your true female self.

It would be great to have research studies about this, and I am not sure it would be incredibly difficult to do.  Thousands of new transgirls worldwide start HRT every month.  Surely SOMEPLACE this could produce a statistically-valid, double-blind sample size that could indisputably make conclusions about, for example, the subject I raised in the immediately above paragraph.

Hugs, Girls, from your ecstatic-about-great-results-so-far friend here,
Johanna.

There has been some research done about this.  This is why every doctor stresses sperm banking before starting on HRT.  After about 6 months on HRT it is possible to become permanently chemically sterile.  I can't find a direct link, but this has been talked about in forums here on Susan's just use the search button and search for sterility.  Or you can talk to your endo.

It's not generally advisable to stop HRT, then get back on for the purposes of fathering a child.  You will need usually about 6 months of being off of HRT to get the sperm production going again.  Note that it isn't just spiro or other anti-androgens that mess up your sperm production- it's estrogen.  Trying to keep the 'best of both worlds' i.e. enough estrogen to feminize but enough testosterone to remain sexually active with male genitalia is generally hard to acheive and not advisable by any endo I've heard of. Same for FTMS as testosterone can stop them from having a normal menstrual cycle necessary for conception.

You risk losing a lot of your progress by going off HRT.  You may even need to take testosterone to stimulate sperm production.  A lot of it is luck and YMMV.  If you had electro, some of that body/facial hair can grow back.  It'd probably just be easier to do what all lesbians do- adopt or try artificial insemination.

[JohannaJohn]

There has been some research done about this.  This is why every doctor stresses sperm banking before starting on HRT.  After about 6 months on HRT it is possible to become permanently chemically sterile.  I can't find a direct link, but this has been talked about in forums here on Susan's just use the search button and search for sterility.  Or you can talk to your endo.

It's not generally advisable to stop HRT, then get back on for the purposes of fathering a child.  You will need usually about 6 months of being off of HRT to get the sperm production going again.  Note that it isn't just spiro or other anti-androgens that mess up your sperm production- it's estrogen.  Trying to keep the 'best of both worlds' i.e. enough estrogen to feminize but enough testosterone to remain sexually active with male genitalia is generally hard to acheive and not advisable by any endo I've heard of. Same for FTMS as testosterone can stop them from having a normal menstrual cycle necessary for conception.

You risk losing a lot of your progress by going off HRT.  You may even need to take testosterone to stimulate sperm production.  A lot of it is luck and YMMV.  If you had electro, some of that body/facial hair can grow back.  It'd probably just be easier to do what all lesbians do- adopt or try artificial insemination.

Kristina, +1 applause to you for your great info here.

Yes, I could adopt.  The Latin country I have lived in for many years certainly has adoption laws although I am not sure of the full details.

Yes, it would be great to have the "best of both worlds.

Wow, you think it would take 6 months off of female hormones to get enough sperm to be able to father a child.

I don't know if I could take 6 MONTHS without my proper hormones that are resonating so WONDERFULLY through-and-through my body and mind.

Now that I have started them, I might feel quite some stress and lack of calm, without them.

Once in these 6 weeks, I missed a nightly dose, and 12 hours later, about noon the next day, suddenly I felt like short of patience, a little irritable, a lack of calm...Kristina, I simply didn't FEEL RIGHT.  I was stunned at how dependent my body and mind are now for our beloved hormones.

I took my normal dose 12 hours late.  In about 15 minutes, I felt okay again.  Within an hour, I felt euphoric happiness again as I usually do now about 90% of the time.

Kristina, I don't if I could go so long and feel so WRONG again.  I think it might be very tough for me.  I could try, but it might be hard for me.  I don't know.  Based on just 12 HOURS late, it is hard to imagine what 6 MONTHS with female hormones would feel like.

Does anyone else have any thoughts about this?

By the way, I have NEVER taken Spiro yet, believe it or not.  Yes, certainly, I have Spiro at my house, on the shelf.  It is dirt cheap in price in the Latin country I've lived in for many years.  But I don't want to take it ever, unless it becomes absolutely necessary.  Just estradiol valerate and micronized progesterone, in strong FULL doses sublingually every day, are giving me what I consider to be SPECTACULAR results physically and mentally in just 6 weeks.

Do you, or does anyone else, think that the fact that I have never taken Spiro or other strong valid anti-androgen, might reduce the "waiting period" of 6 months that Kristina has spoken of?

WOW I am in euphoric happiness since starting my estradiol valerate and micronized progesterone 6 weeks ago.  I NEVER imagined the great change, mentally and physcially, that would happen to me SO fast.

Wow it is hard to describe how RIGHT and HAPPY I feel.

Hugs,
Johanna, my true self, losing her "Fear of Flying" to borrow a phrase from genius cis female author Erica Jong.  Google Erica Jong if you don't know about her...

[Kristina77]

Kristina, +1 applause to you for your great info here.

Yes, I could adopt.  The Latin country I have lived in for many years certainly has adoption laws although I am not sure of the full details.

Yes, it would be great to have the "best of both worlds.

Wow, you think it would take 6 months off of female hormones to get enough sperm to be able to father a child.

I don't know if I could take 6 MONTHS without my proper hormones that are resonating so WONDERFULLY through-and-through my body and mind.

Now that I have started them, I might feel quite some stress and lack of calm, without them.

Once in these 6 weeks, I missed a nightly dose, and 12 hours later, about noon the next day, suddenly I felt like short of patience, a little irritable, a lack of calm...Kristina, I simply didn't FEEL RIGHT.  I was stunned at how dependent my body and mind are now for our beloved hormones.

I took my normal dose 12 hours late.  In about 15 minutes, I felt okay again.  Within an hour, I felt euphoric happiness again as I usually do now about 90% of the time.

Kristina, I don't if I could go so long and feel so WRONG again.  I think it might be very tough for me.  I could try, but it might be hard for me.  I don't know.  Based on just 12 HOURS late, it is hard to imagine what 6 MONTHS with female hormones would feel like.

Does anyone else have any thoughts about this?

By the way, I have NEVER taken Spiro yet, believe it or not.  Yes, certainly, I have Spiro at my house, on the shelf.  It is dirt cheap in price in the Latin country I've lived in for many years.  But I don't want to take it ever, unless it becomes absolutely necessary.  Just estradiol valerate and micronized progesterone, in strong FULL doses sublingually every day, are giving me what I consider to be SPECTACULAR results physically and mentally in just 6 weeks.

Do you, or does anyone else, think that the fact that I have never taken Spiro or other strong valid anti-androgen, might reduce the "waiting period" of 6 months that Kristina has spoken of?

WOW I am in euphoric happiness since starting my estradiol valerate and micronized progesterone 6 weeks ago.  I NEVER imagined the great change, mentally and physcially, that would happen to me SO fast.

Wow it is hard to describe how RIGHT and HAPPY I feel.

Hugs,
Johanna, my true self, losing her "Fear of Flying" to borrow a phrase from genius cis female author Erica Jong.  Google Erica Jong if you don't know about her...

Aw thanks for the +1! My first   In any case as I pointed out I don't think it's neccessarily the anti-androgens that inhibit sperm production, but estrogen & progestrone as well (both female hormones).  So I don't think it matters much you haven't taken spiro.  I had not idea that you lived in a Latin country, my apologies I thought perhaps you had been to an endo (you have to do that here).  My endo doesn't perscribe anti-androgens either, but only Estrogen & Progesterone.  He says that Progesterone helps the Estrogen to bind better to receptors and together that inhibits testosterone... I think large doses of Estrogen inhibit testosterone too.  Most TS girls here in the states are perscribed low doses of anti-androgens and Estrogen with no progesterone.    I should note that the testosterone blocking effect of Spiro is not its cheif function but a side effect- as far as I know there aren't any drugs that can directly stop testosterone production but with a ton of estrogen and progesterone you won't need anti-androgens... I should know I'm on very high doses of both Estrogen and Progesterone and my testosterone is rock bottom.  No, I haven't had blood tests but I haven't had bottom surgery yet and I stopped having erections at 4 months in about.

I don't know what the adoption laws are like in your country, again I apoligize I had assumed it would be as easy as here in the states (well, some states).  Best of luck to you I feel the exact same I can definately feel 'off' when my P or E levels are dropping off if you can be okay with adoption or artificial insemination I would agree and say to just stay the course.  There's nothign definitive, and it's possible that you could father a child if off hormones- the figures I gave are general ballpark numbers... a lot of it depend on age and genetics.  If in your early 20's you probably would get sperm production going again more quickly, after that it would probably take longer... I've read stories about MTFs impregnating their wives/girlfriends while ON HRT but then again I don't know their dosage.  As I said before most TS girls here in the states are put on some pretty low dosages

[KayXo]

He says that Progesterone helps the Estrogen to bind better to receptors

Actually, progesterone appears to downregulate (reduce the number of) estrogen receptors so that tissues become less sensitive to estrogen and this seems to not only be the case in the endometrium but also in breasts. Also, progesterone appears to increase a certain enzyme which is responsible for converting estradiol, the strongest estrogen to estrone, the second strongest estrogen. This is why, for instance, progesterone is prescribed with estrogen in women with a uterus, to prevent endometrium hypertrophy (and possibly cancer) that can occur with estrogen alone due to its proliferative action.

and together that inhibits testosterone

Progesterone, orally, at typical doses, seems to do very little in the way of inhibiting testosterone production. It may have, however, anti-androgenic properties, apparently at the cellular level which I found out recently when reading certain studies.

as far as I know there aren't any drugs that can directly stop testosterone production

LhRh agonists/antagonists do as does cyproterone acetate. Spironolactone will, as well through several mechanisms.

[Hannahh]

Hi everybody,
I finished to read all of this post and my message only to say my
WARMEST THANKS
to everyone, for all your post : it provides great details.
I wish you the best,
Hannah

[JohannaJohn]

Aw thanks for the +1! My first   In any case as I pointed out I don't think it's neccessarily the anti-androgens that inhibit sperm production, but estrogen & progestrone as well (both female hormones).  So I don't think it matters much you haven't taken spiro.  I had not idea that you lived in a Latin country, my apologies I thought perhaps you had been to an endo (you have to do that here).  My endo doesn't perscribe anti-androgens either, but only Estrogen & Progesterone.  He says that Progesterone helps the Estrogen to bind better to receptors and together that inhibits testosterone... I think large doses of Estrogen inhibit testosterone too.  Most TS girls here in the states are perscribed low doses of anti-androgens and Estrogen with no progesterone.    I should note that the testosterone blocking effect of Spiro is not its cheif function but a side effect- as far as I know there aren't any drugs that can directly stop testosterone production but with a ton of estrogen and progesterone you won't need anti-androgens... I should know I'm on very high doses of both Estrogen and Progesterone and my testosterone is rock bottom.  No, I haven't had blood tests but I haven't had bottom surgery yet and I stopped having erections at 4 months in about.

I don't know what the adoption laws are like in your country, again I apoligize I had assumed it would be as easy as here in the states (well, some states).  Best of luck to you I feel the exact same I can definately feel 'off' when my P or E levels are dropping off if you can be okay with adoption or artificial insemination I would agree and say to just stay the course.  There's nothign definitive, and it's possible that you could father a child if off hormones- the figures I gave are general ballpark numbers... a lot of it depend on age and genetics.  If in your early 20's you probably would get sperm production going again more quickly, after that it would probably take longer... I've read stories about MTFs impregnating their wives/girlfriends while ON HRT but then again I don't know their dosage.  As I said before most TS girls here in the states are put on some pretty low dosages

Thanks Kristina...well I 56 so I think I am getting some pretty amazing results, especially considering my age.  I fathered a child here in Latin America at age 50.

I don't what the result would be if I stopped for a short time, but I don't WANT to stop, these CORRECT hormones for my body are CORRECT for me, in all aspects.  What more can I say?

I had my SECOND case of "male fail" in the last few days which I find astounding, just 6 and a half weeks into HRT.

Of course, I have been taking very full doses, too, because here I don't have to wait for the low doses like in the USA or many other countries.

Great that your endo prefers E and P.  For me, I think this is optimal.

Let me write more about my 2 "male fails" (being mistaken initially as female) in more detail in M to F talk...

Hugs,
Joanna.

I AM FEMALE.

[cruise4burgers]

I've read through the whole topic, there's been some great posts thank you - one thing I'm curious about is a question for the post-op ladies (and I've searched a few other topics about this so just looking for further detail): have you noticed that it has helped you with vaginal dryness at all? I see Northern Jane mentioned that benefit but I haven't seen it come up too much otherwise.

I am at this point swayed mostly towards trying it, that would be my biggest hope. It would be cool if my bewbs evened out and all the other stuff but I'm worried about the mood swing aspect however as I'm bipolar and currently (mostly) functioning ok without any meds for that, so I'm wondering if anyone has anything further to say about its effects on self lubrication in the vagina?

I am currently using an Estriol cream for that which is not bad but it doesn't quite do enough around the vulva and it's not all being absorbed so that's a drawback for intimacy...

Any comments from bipolar people either maybe?

[mrs izzy]

I've read through the whole topic, there's been some great posts thank you - one thing I'm curious about is a question for the post-op ladies (and I've searched a few other topics about this so just looking for further detail): have you noticed that it has helped you with vaginal dryness at all? I see Northern Jane mentioned that benefit but I haven't seen it come up too much otherwise.

I am at this point swayed mostly towards trying it, that would be my biggest hope. It would be cool if my bewbs evened out and all the other stuff but I'm worried about the mood swing aspect however as I'm bipolar and currently (mostly) functioning ok without any meds for that, so I'm wondering if anyone has anything further to say about its effects on self lubrication in the vagina?

I am currently using an Estriol cream for that which is not bad but it doesn't quite do enough around the vulva and it's not all being absorbed so that's a drawback for intimacy...

Any comments from bipolar people either maybe?

Can not comment on the Progesterone cream. I use Premarin vaginal cream. It has helped a lot i feel.

I use it about 1x a week now and if i feel the need maybe 2 x. Mostly 1x is enough to keep it happy and healthy.

Hope someone can comment on the Progesterone, would be nice for the old memory banks.