Low dose E data for my doctor

[Paige]

Hi All,

I've asked my family doctor to think about prescribing me low dose E as a treatment for my dysphoria.  He said he would look into this and we could talk about it when I have my next appointment.   Does anyone have any data that suggest this approach works to reduce the symptoms that come with dysphoria?  It seems a few people here are doing this and have suggested that they've had some success.  I really just trying to get a little backup for my discussion with my doctor.

Also, has anyone had any relief with just taking an anti-androgen like Finasteride alone?

Thanks,
Paige

[ImagineKate]

Low dose E can work to quell the dysphoria.

However, I was told the effects do show up sooner or later. For me they started to show up rather quickly. Also, you might like low dose so much that you end up fully transitioning.

[Jill F]

I started on Finasteride alone.  It hardly put a dent in the dysphoria, but I did notice hair regrowth in 3 months.  The therapeutic dose of E turned the dysphoria down quite a bit.  I really did feel better right away and knew I could never stop taking it.  Every time I ramped up HRT, I felt even better.  Then there was the orchi. Ahhhhh...

Anyway, I didn't want to transition at all in the beginning, but I ended up going full time only 2 months after the first dose. 

[Rachel]

Hi Paige,

I intended to start low dose HRT but when the time came I went full dose. I am glad I did.

Finasteride did not help my dysphoria. I tried it 3 months prior to HRT.

[Paige]

Low dose E can work to quell the dysphoria.

However, I was told the effects do show up sooner or later. For me they started to show up rather quickly. Also, you might like low dose so much that you end up fully transitioning.

Thanks Kate,  yes I'm really worried about both those things.  I think I will probably love E and want a full dose.

Paige

[Paige]

I started on Finasteride alone.  It hardly put a dent in the dysphoria, but I did notice hair regrowth in 3 months.  The therapeutic dose of E turned the dysphoria down quite a bit.  I really did feel better right away and knew I could never stop taking it.  Every time I ramped up HRT, I felt even better.  Then there was the orchi. Ahhhhh...

Anyway, I didn't want to transition at all in the beginning, but I ended up going full time only 2 months after the first dose.

Hi Paige,

I intended to start low dose HRT but when the time came I went full dose. I am glad I did.

Finasteride did not help my dysphoria. I tried it 3 months prior to HRT.

Thanks Jill and Cynthia,

So from what you said, it looks like Finasteride isn't going to be of much help with the dysphoria.  Too bad.  Although I wouldn't mind some hair growth ;-)

And anecdotally it sounds like any dose of E could be a bit of a slippery slope to full HRT for many people. 

It would be interesting to know if there's any scientific papers on this subject but I've never heard anyone mention one.

Paige

[Jenna Marie]

One warning : it may work better than you expect, physically.

I was started on a low dose with the intent of ramping up... and that turned out to be more than adequate for me, not only in alleviating a lot of mental distress but in terms of fully physically transitioning.

[Paige]

One warning : it may work better than you expect, physically.

I was started on a low dose with the intent of ramping up... and that turned out to be more than adequate for me, not only in alleviating a lot of mental distress but in terms of fully physically transitioning.

Thanks Jenna, I'm torn about this.  On the one side, the thought of getting rid of dysphoria with the chance of more physical changes seems like a it's worth the risk, (deep down I would love the changes to actually happen) but I'm scared to death of the chaos this would cause my family. 

I'm 52 and have been sitting on the fence for an eternity.  The dull ache of dysphoria continues to eat my soul.  I should make a decision but I never seem to be able to come up with one. 

Perhaps low dose is worth a try and I just need to watch for too many physical changes.

Take care,
Paige

[Rachel]

Hi Paige,

I am 52 and have been on HRT for 17 months. I was in a group session with 20 or so mostly transsexuals on HRT last night. The question was did anyone question if HRT would be right for them prior to HRT and are you always 100% sure now. The answer is many are not 100% sure before or now but we all feel so much better on HRT and we know it is the right path. Some of us in the group may in the future detransition, die from drugs or alcohol or HIV or suicide but it is the correct path to give us the best opportunity for a happier life.

I have a team of people helping me keep it together. My primary (LGBT) where I have been to a lot lately for visits, blood work, injection training and laser, my therapist, group and my personal trainer at a LBGT gym. I use to be day by day and am now making 10 week plans. Most of these people do what they do to help others and believe in what they do because they care. My two biggest obstacles were fear and not taking charge of my most important needs.  I am facing my fears one by one and taking care of by most basic need (to be me) and it feels so empowering and the real high I craved all my life. I have long way to go but I am at the end of the beginning.

I had fear of physical changes prior to HRT but now I love the changes. I am trans on HRT and that is how I look. I accept who and what I am and I am normal. I wanted soft skin, boobs, female pheromones, long hair, and female fat distribution all my life. I want other changes and I am working on it all in due time at my speed.

This is about my journey and I am sharing it with you because being older does not mean you can not take charge of a situation you did not ask for but can help, if you want or need to. Hugs and I wish you luck in your journey.

[Paige]

Hi Paige,

I am 52 and have been on HRT for 17 months. I was in a group session with 20 or so mostly transsexuals on HRT last night. The question was did anyone question if HRT would be right for them prior to HRT and are you always 100% sure now. The answer is many are not 100% sure before or now but we all feel so much better on HRT and we know it is the right path. Some of us in the group may in the future detransition, die from drugs or alcohol or HIV or suicide but it is the correct path to give us the best opportunity for a happier life.

I have a team of people helping me keep it together. My primary (LGBT) where I have been to a lot lately for visits, blood work, injection training and laser, my therapist, group and my personal trainer at a LBGT gym. I use to be day by day and am now making 10 week plans. Most of these people do what they do to help others and believe in what they do because they care. My two biggest obstacles were fear and not taking charge of my most important needs.  I am facing my fears one by one and taking care of by most basic need (to be me) and it feels so empowering and the real high I craved all my life. I have long way to go but I am at the end of the beginning.

I had fear of physical changes prior to HRT but now I love the changes. I am trans on HRT and that is how I look. I accept who and what I am and I am normal. I wanted soft skin, boobs, female pheromones, long hair, and female fat distribution all my life. I want other changes and I am working on it all in due time at my speed.

This is about my journey and I am sharing it with you because being older does not mean you can not take charge of a situation you did not ask for but can help, if you want or need to. Hugs and I wish you luck in your journey.

Hi Cynthia,

It's amazing that they all felt HRT help them feel better.    You've definitely given me something to think about.  I'm really starting to lean towards low dose just to see if it makes me feel better. 

Thank so much for your comments.  They really make me think there could be a way through this.   

Paige

P.S. I have to ask you where you live, a LGBT gym sounds like a fantastic idea.  I wish there was one near me.

[Rachel]

Philadelphia PA, USA.

The gym is the 12th Street Gym. The Gym is in the center of the gayborhood. I told the owner (and later my trainer, they have 38) I am trans and he showed me around and welcomed me. I go to a coed locker room that has 60 lockers, private bathrooms and private showers and key entry ( and smells nice). They have a section next to the gym where they have therapists, massage, fat freezing, art classes, are gallery and hair salon.

I am really shy (she knows) and I would never use the gym so a trainer is so important to me. She gets me to different rooms each session, pushes me and gives me nutrition help. Oh, she has me using coconut oil for my dry skin which work very well.

[Brenda E]

I'll echo what everyone else has said: low dose E goes a long way towards taking the edge off the dysphoria, although some of us experience noticeable physical changes even on low dose.  If you're not 100% certain that it's the right path for you, try it.  If you like it, it's the right path.  If you don't like the way it makes you feel, then stop taking it and there's no harm done.  That's about the best diagnostic tool the doctors have - gender dysphoria really doesn't have any other conclusive medical tests, unfortunately.

In the absence of scientific data, all you'll be able to offer your doc is a large amount of anecdotal evidence (which is widely available - here, for example).  Low dose works.  You could also point him in the direction of a local therapist who specializes in gender issues, or an endocrinologist who works with trans patients; both should be able to let him know that low dose HRT is a good and safe starting point with proven positive results.

[Paige]

Philadelphia PA, USA.

The gym is the 12th Street Gym. The Gym is in the center of the gayborhood. I told the owner (and later my trainer, they have 38) I am trans and he showed me around and welcomed me. I go to a coed locker room that has 60 lockers, private bathrooms and private showers and key entry ( and smells nice). They have a section next to the gym where they have therapists, massage, fat freezing, art classes, are gallery and hair salon.

I am really shy (she knows) and I would never use the gym so a trainer is so important to me. She gets me to different rooms each session, pushes me and gives me nutrition help. Oh, she has me using coconut oil for my dry skin which work very well.

Wow sounds like a great place and trainer. 

[Paige]

I'll echo what everyone else has said: low dose E goes a long way towards taking the edge off the dysphoria, although some of us experience noticeable physical changes even on low dose.  If you're not 100% certain that it's the right path for you, try it.  If you like it, it's the right path.  If you don't like the way it makes you feel, then stop taking it and there's no harm done.  That's about the best diagnostic tool the doctors have - gender dysphoria really doesn't have any other conclusive medical tests, unfortunately.

In the absence of scientific data, all you'll be able to offer your doc is a large amount of anecdotal evidence (which is widely available - here, for example).  Low dose works.  You could also point him in the direction of a local therapist who specializes in gender issues, or an endocrinologist who works with trans patients; both should be able to let him know that low dose HRT is a good and safe starting point with proven positive results.

Hi Brenda,

It's too bad there isn't some scientific evidence behind low dose.  It would definitely make it easier to convince my doctor but I'll definitely mention your suggestions at my next appointment.  It does sound like a very logical way to approach this and I know my doctor is flexible so who knows.

Thanks,
Paige

[Randi]

This article by Anne Vitale is not really scientific evidence, but I found it very informative.

http://www.avitale.com/TNote15Testosterone.htm

"It is well known that large doses of exogenous estrogens administered to some genetic males, dramatically reduces the anxiety of gender dysphoria."

I think this particularly applies to "older" transwomen.

Take E and the dysphoria disappears.  Some think they are "cured" and give it up, then dysphoria comes roaring back.

As males age their testosterone naturally decreases, this is often accompanied by a natural increase in estrogen.

 

[Paige]

This article by Anne Vitale is not really scientific evidence, but I found it very informative.

http://www.avitale.com/TNote15Testosterone.htm

"It is well known that large doses of exogenous estrogens administered to some genetic males, dramatically reduces the anxiety of gender dysphoria."

I think this particularly applies to "older" transwomen.

Take E and the dysphoria disappears.  Some think they are "cured" and give it up, then dysphoria comes roaring back.

As males age their testosterone naturally decreases, this is often accompanied by a natural increase in estrogen.

Hi Randi,

Very interesting article.   I might just give this to my doctor to help him understand how well E works as a treatment for dysphoria.

Thanks Randi