Any alternatives to HRT that are safe please

[Sophie Chan]

I would greatly appreciate it if no one fought about the use of herbals. I am trying to find out any safe ways of hormone replacement through different techniques that are safe and have been proven to be safe by doctors.

[Devlyn]

Jenny, this is what I'm referring to. My supplement is on the banned list, I understand I can't discuss the specifics here.

http://www.gendersupport.org/forums/index.php/topic,145429.0.html

You may discuss over the counter both prescription medications, and (OTC) herbal supplements in the HRT board provided doing so falls under the terms of service.

You may not disclose excessive copyrighted information on the site that you do not own the rights to, and you may not use trade marked program names.

You are prohibited from making medical diagnoses or recommending a specific product, or course of treatment. You can and should recommend that someone should discuss things of that nature with their doctor.

A, B, and C of Rule 8 from the Terms of Service applies to HRT drugs which require a prescription by law. Items A, and C also apply to discussion of OTC herbal alternatives to prescription HRT drugs.

You may not discuss Pueraria Mirifica or Diane-35 on this site at all due to their being linked with serious health complications.

If we feel that someone is intentionally violating part A of rule 8, all mention of that product will be prohibited on the site. This has already happened once before with Diane-35.

Call it a placebo effect if you will...but I physically saw 1" of bewbs after 3-4 months of using 4 herbals at the same time. Before, I had no significant chest peaks (just the nipple, and only if it was cold...maybe 1/8"). I also had breast growth extending from the breast actual,, towards the armpits as well (actually felt them and could show them to others)

Nevermind the peace of mind they gave me...placebo? So what? (With all due respect, of course) To my mind, they worked, and made life bearable until I got the real thing, at which time I stopped all supplements.

I stayed within the recommended doses as printed on the bottles (except for Saw Palmetto, that I deliberately increased to see what its effect was; up to the printed label was good, going 2x beyond created a testosterone-like effect which made me reduce it immediately).

I will grant that herbals do not begin to approach the effect of proper HRT; but it is a viable "delaying action" in the absence of HRT.

WA is another state that does "informed consent" regarding HRT.

I grew a pair of placebo boobs, too. The thing is, if you grow boobs from a supplement, and someone says that can't happen, who's really suffering from the placebo effect?

Hugs, Devlyn

[Jade_404]

It is good to know that over the counter, and herbal supplements do not fall under rule 8 section B. When I first came to this site I was interested in safe ways to alleviate some of my menopausal symptoms, specifically herbal regiments and diet. I am not even sure where to look for these topics.

I am assuming that other topics are discussable such as:

pseudoscience (even if it is partly placebo)
binaural beats
isochronic tones
hypnosis
meditation
prayer
acupuncture (my Therapists suggested this)
more?

Diet
Foods with phytoestrogens (soy, etc)
Foods that block testosterone (spearmint. etc)
Juices??
Milks

Exersize
breast massage
waist thinning
rump plumping
hip plumping
cardio

Xenoestrogen found in ...
Make up
fingernail polish
nail polish remover
lotions
shampoos
soaps
deodorants
plastic bottles
artificial flavor and color
tap water
rain water
can linings
laundry detergents
etc, etc...

I am genetic male yet being feminized from Lymes disease eating away at my hormones or possibly even my entire endocrine system. I swear I can feel the xenoestrogen sucking into my nails when I put polish on! It tingles down the finger, up my arm and thru my spine. I would much rather those estrogen receptors get filled by phytoestrogens than the xenoestrogen.  Lymes can trigger many ailments and the doctors refuse to treat my Lymes directly and want to work on the ailments it causes as they appear. The list is horrible and I have a bleak outlook. Possible Early onset of arthritis , Parkinson's, autoimmune diseases, menopause , many other neurological disorders, memory - concentration loss, loss of appetite, weight loss... the list is long. I get depressed writing even some of it. My old Doctors pretty much dismissed my concerns because they said I looked 10 years younger than my actual age and did not have swollen joints (they are painful though). They claimed I was fit as a fiddle and should not be complaining. They did not see me when I weighed 20+ pounds heaver with muscle, I also looked my age. I am not complaining, I just want to treat my body correctly and if my entire hormonal system has changed I want to get the best info I can on Diet, Supplements, meditation, pseudoscience, or whatever is going to make me feel better. If the Doctors decide HRT is needed I will go that path. I went to a therapist and she dumped me after three sessions, said my situation was too complex. Basically I told her I am feminizing, I didn't plan it, but I like it since I always felt like and have been treated like a female anyway and would be ok if the Doctors give me E. Now I need to go see a new doctor and new therapist that my original therapists is referring me to. Good to know I can find info on this site about ways to alleviate my ailments while I go thru the process of getting new doctors and a new therapist. Any suggestions? Thank you all!

Love,
Jade

[ImagineKate]

I do informed consent. I didn't get a referral from a therapist or anything. I just told them what I wanted, they gave me some paperwork to sign, they put in the e scripts and I was off to the races. Nobody asked me what kind of trans I was, but I was asked what I expect to get out of it. I answered basically physical effects like breasts and softer skin. Not a word in opposition.

And I'll say this - they probably knew that if they didn't give it to me I would probably start self medding anyway like many trans girls. So in a way informed consent is sort of harm reduction.

There ARE people who will need gatekeeping but I'm pretty sure of what I want.

[Jade_404]

BTW it is my understanding that xenoestrogen are NOT safe at all. Can cause cancer or other ailments. Is my understanding correct?
My body seems to be absorbing them at a rapid rate so I need to fill the gap with something better sooner than later!

Love,
Jade

[Jade_404]

I do informed consent. I didn't get a referral from a therapist or anything. I just told them what I wanted, they gave me some paperwork to sign, they put in the e scripts and I was off to the races. Nobody asked me what kind of trans I was, but I was asked what I expect to get out of it. I answered basically physical effects like breasts and softer skin. Not a word in opposition.

And I'll say this - they probably knew that if they didn't give it to me I would probably start self medding anyway like many trans girls. So in a way informed consent is sort of harm reduction.

There ARE people who will need gatekeeping but I'm pretty sure of what I want.

I am pretty much leaning toward informed consent myself however I would like a therapist ready if I get emotional on E and all kinds of locked up feelings pour out.   

[ImagineKate]

I am pretty much leaning toward informed consent myself however I would like a therapist ready if I get emotional on E and all kinds of locked up feelings pour out. 

I have one too. She's a safeguard to ensure I don't harm myself and that I have a guiding hand.

[Beth Andrea]

I want to know if there are any alternatives to hrt. And if there are, are they safe. I heard binaural beats work for helping your brain to send signals, to produce more estrogen, but I don't know if it works.
This is greatly appreciated

-Sophie   

Given that herbals are basically safe (the FDA would ban them if they weren't), if you do a Google you'll find many many kinds. You also want to look for herbals + topics like "feminization", "breast enlargement", "softer skin" "testosterone reduction" etc.

http://www.testosteroneblocker.com/products/

When I was looking for herbals, the first one I was told about was Saw Palmetto. It is used to shrink the prostate and has a known side effect (in some cases) of "breast enlargement" for both males and females.

I also used red clover extract, which was mixed in with simple hand lotion and rubbed onto both breasts...maybe it was placebo but I felt great after doing it...sort of a "post orgasm glow" iirc.

http://www.herbwisdom.com/herb-red-clover.html

Damn, it was so long ago...there were two others (one of which is on the banned/do not discuss list) but I can't recall what it was. And as I said earlier, maximum strength menopause supplements also.

I followed the recommended doses on the label, except that I would step up the dosage from the lowest possible... I did this to see if I was allergic to any of the ingredients or if there was some other issue (such as conflict with the other herbals).

I would not dismiss the others concerns about safety, especially when dealing with the endocrin system. Be careful, be prudent, be judicious when using anything (not just herbals, but even "real" medications--don't go brain-dead and expect things to happen or not happen by themselves).

YOU are responsible for noticing all changes, good or bad, and responding appropriately.

One of the testimonials that caused me to look into herbals was a Susan's person who was a bodybuilder, in great shape before, and had been taking herbals for some tiime (2 years?) before HRT...she had before and after pics and OMG was there a change!! Her theory was that the herbals, while they didn't cause great feminization (in her case), they did "prime" the E receptors and got things ready so that when she did get on HRT the feminization was incredibly fast (relative to the rest of us, who wait years for breasts, butt, etc). That sounded reasonable to me, and since they helped ease my T-anxiety I kept on them until HRT (about 9 months).

YMMV, fwiw, etc.

[DoYouRealize]

my girlfriend uses wild yam cream (natural foods store) on her face & skin, & takes reasonable (per label!) doses of fenugreek, saw palmetto with nettle, & red clover. i would recommend getting to know a naturopath, herbalist, or witch who could give more specifics.

i really like binaural beats. With or without scientifically proven physical changes, they can be a lovely way to relax & meditate. Stress is a real thing, so i go with whatever works!