Taking T with hormone blockers

[Sir Real]

An organization in my city says that they use hormone blockers for FtMs saying that it helps with the transition speed and process.  I've never heard of this being done before but it definitely intrigues me. Has anyone else heard of this or know anything about it or even tried it? Something tells me it'd at least stop shark week sooner.

[Beverly]

In the UK, use of "blockers" is fairly standard. Admittedly I am MtF, but I cannot see a difference.

The three in use here are Zoladex (pellet), Decapeptyl (depot) and Prostap (depot) but they all work the same way. They cause an overload of the hypothalmus/pituitary system which then stops producing LH and FSH which in turn shuts down the sex hormone production in the body whether E or T

The upshot is that the only active sex hormone in your body is the one being supplied externally. In MtFs small amounts of T are still produced from non-gonadal sources like the adrenals. Where FtMs would get the small amount of E needed to protect bone density I am not so sure.

[FTMDiaries]

In the UK, use of "blockers" is fairly standard. Admittedly I am MtF, but I cannot see a difference.

Not so with UK FtMs. We just get testosterone - no blockers. It sounds like a good idea though, particularly in the early stages.

[MaximmusFlavius]

Not so with UK FtMs. We just get testosterone - no blockers. It sounds like a good idea though, particularly in the early stages.

I think it must depend on which GIC you are with, as I am in the UK and am on blockers as well as testosterone . A lot of people think that blockers are unnecessary, but I think that they do make a difference, particularly in the early stages. I started blockers and testosterone at the same time and have only had one shark week since and that was about 3 weeks in. I also think blockers will help with maintaining steady hormone levels as there will be no oestrogen or progesterone to take over when the testosterone levels dip. That is, however, just my own personal opinion. I have not really noticed much difference in myself mood wise when I am due another shot. This could just be pure coincidence though!

Being in the UK I do get the blockers on the NHS. If I had to pay full price for them, I may well have decided that the price was not worth the slight difference. The other significant effect of blockers (at least for the one I'm on) is that it also acts as a contraceptive. Or so I've been told. 

[Beverly]

The other significant effect of blockers (at least for the one I'm on) is that is also acts as a contraceptive. Or so I've been told.

If you read the notes that come with them then you will see that it specifically says NOT to depend on them as a contraceptive.

[MaximmusFlavius]

If you read the notes that come with them then you will see that it specifically says NOT to depend on them as a contraceptive.

Oh, believe me, I have no intention of relying on it as a contraceptive!! Which blocker are you talking about specifically out of curiosity?

[FTMDiaries]

I think it must depend on which GIC you are with, as I am in the UK and am on blockers as well as testosterone .

Interesting! Both of the GICs in my catchment area have refused blockers to FtM patients. Maybe we're just unlucky. 

[MaximmusFlavius]

Interesting! Both of the GICs in my catchment area have refused blockers to FtM patients. Maybe we're just unlucky. 

Where I am it's standard to be on blockers as well as testosterone. Every GIC seems to be very different. You would have thought it would be a bit more standardised.

[Beverly]

Oh, believe me, I have no intention of relying on it as a contraceptive!! Which blocker are you talking about specifically out of curiosity?

I use decapeptyl, but I know from a friend that zoladex has the same warning. Googling the data sheets for these drugs gives...

"Decapeptyl SR injection contains the active ingredient triptorelin acetate ... Triptorelin inhibits ovulation, but it is not a reliable contraceptive. Women should use non-hormonal methods of contraception to prevent pregnancy during treatment, as this medicine may be harmful to a developing baby"

"Zoladex is not a contraceptive drug. Women need to ensure that they use effective contraception while having Zoladex treatment. You can discuss this with your doctor or nurse. "

"Notes on Prostap SR ... Barrier methods of contraception should be used during treatment, as Prostap SR is not a contraceptive."

[aleon515]

In the UK, use of "blockers" is fairly standard. Admittedly I am MtF, but I cannot see a difference.
...
The upshot is that the only active sex hormone in your body is the one being supplied externally. In MtFs small amounts of T are still produced from non-gonadal sources like the adrenals. Where FtMs would get the small amount of E needed to protect bone density I am not so sure.

I believe that some guys are prescribed blockers. It's not a typical procedure. I think the difference is that T, if you will is the more dominant hormone (I don't think that's the right term, but oh well). It reduces estrogen by itself, whereas estrogen doesn't reduce testosterone. 

I believe that T is protective for bone density, and osteoporosis is way more common in ciswomen than cismen. Not sure re: trans people but I doubt there is any research at all.

I believe they'd be worthwhile initially though. Because changing from an estrogen to testosterone based system takes time.

Interesting page and article:
http://www.transgenderscience.info/?p=172


--Jay

[randomdude5]

Hi, I was on blockers as well as T. I actually started blockers for a bit before T. I had one more period after starting blockers, then never again, and it has been a couple of years now. Of course, they wanted to take me off blockers after I was on a good dose of T, but I'm like OCD and didn't wanna change the routine because I was too freaked that if I did periods would come back lol.

I can't really comment on whether or not it sped up changes from the T.

[aleon515]

Unless you were having a particular trouble with transitioning or having periods past about the 6th month or so, I'm not sure why you'd really need to transition more quickly. I think the changes happen pretty quickly. IMO, it's good to kind of get used to stuff while it is happening.

--Jay

[Sir Real]

Unless you were having a particular trouble with transitioning or having periods past about the 6th month or so, I'm not sure why you'd really need to transition more quickly. I think the changes happen pretty quickly. IMO, it's good to kind of get used to stuff while it is happening.

--Jay

That's a good point, Jay.  I also learned from my endocrinologist that the blockers are ridiculously expensive.  Didn't know that.  I don't understand why it's standard for this one organization in my city if it's so expensive because it isn't covered by the province.

[Hikari]

What worries me, is that plenty of MTFs back in the day did Estrogen only therapy before widespread effective antiandrogens, and they got feminized still. I would worry about having high levels of both hormones, especially since Testosterone can convert to estrogen via Aromatase but the reverse is not true. Clearly I am missing something, as FTMs without blockers still seem to masculinize (is that even a word?) without much issue without them.

I would think there would be a desire to attempt if at all possible to simulate natural hormones which is why the reluctance of blockers for FTMs and Progesterone for MTFs confuses me from Endocrinologists especially since some swear by the stuff. Like, I know things can't be simulated exactly as puberty is (also that would take a really long time) but, I would think that it would be intuitive to attempt to get as close as is practical.

[aleon515]

What worries me, is that plenty of MTFs back in the day did Estrogen only therapy before widespread effective antiandrogens, and they got feminized still. I would worry about having high levels of both hormones, especially since Testosterone can convert to estrogen via Aromatase but the reverse is not true. Clearly I am missing something, as FTMs without blockers still seem to masculinize (is that even a word?) without much issue without them.

I would think there would be a desire to attempt if at all possible to simulate natural hormones which is why the reluctance of blockers for FTMs and Progesterone for MTFs confuses me from Endocrinologists especially since some swear by the stuff. Like, I know things can't be simulated exactly as puberty is (also that would take a really long time) but, I would think that it would be intuitive to attempt to get as close as is practical.

Hormone treatment is different for FTMs than MTFs. Normally speaking T is all that is needed for FTMs. The same can't be said for MTFs. I think the reason is that T has a stronger and more initial affect than estrogen. T takes over estrogen and overtakes the system more or less.

Only a few FTMs need blockers, perhaps due to problems with metabolizing T or other reasons. But it isn't not typical. It isn't due to "reluctance" to take it at all or prescribe.

You're right about T working all by itself.

--Jay