Low Dose of Estrogen

[Melanie CT]

Hi
I am fairly new to the site and have not done anything to move toward transitioning yet. I see in some posts it's been mentioned that low doses of estrogen helped with depression. Does anyone know how this works and what the affects are with a low dose of estrogen?
I have been very depressed and just want to live happy. Just feels like it will never happen.
Thank you
Melanie

[bunnymom]

Melanie, welcome. Just as it had been a long journey to get you to today, the journey will continue and b ring you closer to yourself and your happiness.
My daughter has been on low dose estrogen for 2 months and is due to increase in another. She still takes fluoxetine for depression.  Actually,  I worry the depression has worsened.  She isolates more now than before. She has allowed her grooming to decline. Her long hair is in untagleable knots.
But..... She has taken a step forward in her transition.  This is better than trying to live in denial of her genuine self.
We expect setbacks as with any journey.
I urge you to take steps to live as you need to blossom.  If you do choose HRT as your next step, please don't let your perception of slow progress bring you down.
Allow a Dr. to provide you with options to bring you up from your depression.
Keep moving on your path and learn the term "YMMV" (YOUR MILEAGE MAY VARY).
cheers!

[Kaelin]

Estrogen will affect your mind, and it will do so differently depending on the dose (and how gradually dosing is increased), the amount of time you've been on estrogen, your desire for and receptiveness to estrogen, and other personal characteristics.  I would not recommend it simply for alleviating depression, because E can make things worse if that hormone is not right for you or simply while you are acclimating to a dose change; there are other drugs designed for the expressed purpose of treating depression.  I think you need to want or welcome the primary effects that come with E, such as the lowering of testosterone, breast development, and/or facial feminization.

[mrs izzy]

Find yourself a gender therapist if you already do not have one and talk with them on what is a great way for you to move forward.

After talk to your doctor or endo on the effects of what each medication might bring if you start hrt.

HRT is and never is the magic pill. Some respond good to the medication and calm there dysphoria and depression. Some makes it worst.

It comes down to what your mind load is and how social/economics are effecting your life.

You need support, you need outside support, you need to enjoy your life and not just stuck inside all dress up and not place to go.

You need a plan of where your path will lead. Everyone walks there own patch and as far as it is needed. Its only you who knows where and how long.

Hugs

[Danielle79]

I would recommend getting therapy and going on an anti-depressant. If you find the right medication, they can be amazingly effective, and that will make your life a heck of a lot easier. I was on Lexapro for eighteen months and it was a night-and-day experience.

I have only been on low-dose estrogen for five days, and honestly I haven't felt anything that I can absolutely say was because of the estrogen (or the anti-androgen I am taking). I will however say that colors seem to be brighter and I seem to be seeing more detail. I noticed the same effect when I started taking Lexapro, but the effect was much more pronounced then. What I am seeing right now may simply be a placebo effect. It may also be a real effect, but since I am not significantly depressed to begin with, the effect is only slight in comparison to what I felt on the Lexapro (I was very depressed then and Lexapro is a very powerful SSRI).

As always with any medication, your mileage may vary, but if you are severely depressed, low-dose estrogen is probably not going to be enough, even if it has an anti-depressant effect on you.

[Jess42]

This is kind of interesting since I am really considering low dose HRT. What physical changes can I expect? Or is it just mental? God any more emotional and I would be a basket case so.. I that normal too?

[Megumi]

This is kind of interesting since I am really considering low dose HRT. What physical changes can I expect? Or is it just mental? God any more emotional and I would be a basket case so.. I that normal too?

It's a case of your results may vary to be honest. I started out on a low dose which was basically half of what I'm taking now and it did wonders for me mentally and started the physical changes and that was with Spirolactone & Estradiol. 

[luna nyan]

Hi Melanie,

If you are feeling depression, I would agree with Ms izzy and see a therapist about gender dysphoria.

HRT is not necessarily a panacea for trans people with depression, but can help a lot in many.

For me, low dose HRT was sufficient to allow me to get a handle on myself.  There have been changes both physical and mental.

[Melanie CT]

Thank you all for your replies. I am seeing a therapist and I am on anti depression medication. I was just wondering if HRT would help but I guess it depends on the person and the medication you are taking. I am just so stuck trying to get the courage to speak with my wife about my feelings. It has been so long holding things in. I have known since I could remember. 3 or 4 years old and now 52 it's so hard to handle. The disphoria is paralyzing sometimes.
Thank you for your support
Melanie

[Stochastic]

Thank you all for your replies. I am seeing a therapist and I am on anti depression medication. I was just wondering if HRT would help but I guess it depends on the person and the medication you are taking. I am just so stuck trying to get the courage to speak with my wife about my feelings. It has been so long holding things in. I have known since I could remember. 3 or 4 years old and now 52 it's so hard to handle. The disphoria is paralyzing sometimes.
Thank you for your support
Melanie

Good for you in taking the right steps to taking care of yourself. I know how crippling dysphoria can be. There are many here with wives like myself, so feel free to ask questions on the other boards.

Regarding the OP, I tried anti-depressants and anti-anxiety meds and had bad reactions to both. Low dose HRT has helped a lot. My dysphoria-related chest tightness, headaches, and lack of sleep was reduced greatly by low dose. Both physical and mental changes have occurred. As others said, it is not a cure all so it is good that you have professionals helping to find the right balance in meds and therapy.