Ugh—when will it end?

[veniamviam]

I've been on T for just shy of eight months, and when I still hadn't stopped getting shark week last month, my doc perscribed progesterone to help get rid of it. I've been taking that for a month (exactly one month, actually) aaaaand... you guessed it, it's back. I'm getting pretty desperate here. Obviously I need to talk to my doc, as my T isn't a high enough dose (labs came back a little low), but what if that doesn't help? What is there left to do, short of a hysto???

[mm]

veniamviam, i know it is discouraging to still shark week after 8 month on T; I think work with your dr as he/she wants to help you.  You situation maybe a little different, just need to get your t levels, your  girlie parts are not giving up easily.  Hysto has end shark weeks for ever and is what I want at some time in the future.

[FTMax]

I know you said your labs were low. Do you mind sharing your results? If the exact number isn't something you want to share, can you say whether or not you've entered the male reference range, or if it's lower than that?

My doctor said it should take about 3 months for it to stop at the right dose. If it hadn't stopped by that point, she puts people on depo provera. I got the impression that other options would be considered if it hadn't stopped by the next round of labs.

It's good that your doctor wants to help you. Don't be surprised if they tell you it might take some time for the progesterone to kick in. Once you've given it some time, if it hasn't stopped, other options would be raising the dose, shortening the cycle, or surgical interventions like a hysterectomy or oophorectomy.

[veniamviam]

My total levels were 217, my free were 24.3 (ranges are 250-1100 and 35-150, respectively). So, under the reference range. I'm hoping raising the dose (as I'm trying to do, whenever my doctor actually gets back to me) will help, because I really don't want to deal with this until I can get a hysterectomy.

To be totally honest, though, I'm not sure if it isn't on its way out--I've never had any sort of spotting or anything, but this seems like it might've been it. I don't know, I'm just really sick of this happening, y'know?

[Clever]

I was at 240 and still getting shark week. Doc raised my dose and next month it was gone--so don't give up yet, buddy. I know it sucks wicked hard.

[FTMax]

Oh, I know. Every transguy I know in real life was done with theirs within the first month of starting T. I blamed starting on a low dose of gel for making mine drag on for 3, but who really knows. I did notice changes in mine over that 3 month period though. It was about 5-7 days late each time, shorter, and a lot lighter.

I'd say if you start experiencing that, it's a good sign. But I don't know if that is a common experience or not. I figured it was the T slowly building up in my system enough to make an impact. At the 3 month mark (and ever since), my T has been above 700. No more shark week. Never had any spotting either (knock on wood).

[veniamviam]

It's officially not spotting -__-' time to raise my dose. I'm getting increasingly concerned that I'll just be one of those rare guys who are unlucky enough that it won't go away without hysto.

[FTMax]

There are options. I wouldn't worry about a hysto being necessary until you've hit a year. I do think it's important to get it figured out though. Ask about raising the dose and/or playing with the frequency of your shots. You just need to find the right balance for your body.