How easy is it to do a "trial" of HRT?

[EmilyMK03]

I just want to echo what has been said about HRT and sterility.  There's always a chance that you will be permanently sterile and unable to have children when you start HRT. So you better be sure you don't want anymore children, or you should freeze your sperm first.

While it's true that most people don't become sterile after a short time on HRT, the possibility is always there.   Keep that in mind if you want to do an HRT trial.


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[Alex123]

Be prepared for the fact that what starts as a trial can easily become your norm and impossible to stop!

[Amber42]

Be prepared for the fact that what starts as a trial can easily become your norm and impossible to stop!

Are you saying that you will feel a higher level of dysphoria if you go off HRT?  Or, once you start, you want to go deeper/towards transition?

I'm looking to calm the dysphoria but I can't transition now.  For that reason, I was hoping for a low level HRT....if possible.




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[Alex123]

Both!

[DawnOday]

Hey everybody, first off, sorry if this is a naive or misguided question; please let me know.

Anyways, I've read in several places that a good way to tell if you do indeed want to be MTF or FTM is by going on hormones and seeing if that makes you feel better, happier, more yourself.

Is this a reasonable way to try and figure things out?  If it is, how would I be able to obtain the hormones?  From what I've read, people typically have to visit a therapist who has to diagnose them with GID (or whatever it's called), and only after that will they be prescribed hormones.  Obviously, in my situation, that could be a bit of a catch 22.

I'm assuming these things vary depending on where one lives, but are there any general procedures that are followed?  I live in the USA.

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In Washington we are required to get two recommendation letters before the dr can prescribe.

[Ellement_of_Freedom]

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In Washington we are required to get two recommendation letters before the dr can prescribe.

Wow. I found a trans friendly GP and made an appointment. Did a blood test the same day and 6 days later I got the prescription.

[kaitylynn]

I have met many people who are only interested in starting a trial and I cannot think of a single one that stopped.  When you reach a point where you become comfortable with your inside, you will find it hard to contemplate reverting back to less evolved state

For me, HRT was a smooth process to start and it has been the happiest being I can recall in the past 20 years.  Not a euphoria, but a contentment that things are ok.

With informed consent, if you are in a state that allows for it...getting started is not that difficult.

[Megan.]

I started a trial 2 weeks ago, and feel I have seen some lessening of my GD, and slightly more level emotions. However, I have some surgery planned (unrelated) for later this year, so I know I have a hard stop in my trial for that. I'm also waiting on hair growth following a transplant earlier this year, as I'm keen to avoid the need for a wig if I go full time. I'm concerned about the effects of stopping my trial, but I have decided on 3 months max, and will stop sooner if noticeable physical changes start to occur.

[Didee]

Hello, just today i was reading this website: http://www.transgendercare.com/guidance/what_is_gender.htm
And for me this is the best information that i found to understand why i am so doubt about transition and if i am a real trans or not... this and 3 year whit a gender terapist ...  now , since 2 months iam in antiandrogens, looking for estradiol the next week in a endocronologist.. for a low dosage terapy, trying to find my way of truly be.
Sorry for my bad english.

[AnonyMs]

I have met many people who are only interested in starting a trial and I cannot think of a single one that stopped.

A while ago I asked my endo if anyone who started had stopped, and after thinking for a bit he said no one. He has 3500 trans patients.

[Claire_Sydney]

AnonyMs - I assume we see the same endo...

He really has 3,500 trans patients?  Wow !!

I also heard he just started providing facial hair removal services at the St Leonards clinic too?

[AnonyMs]

AnonyMs - I assume we see the same endo...

He really has 3,500 trans patients?  Wow !!

I also heard he just started providing facial hair removal services at the St Leonards clinic too?

Dr Hayes. I think he's one of best trans specialist endo's in the world and we're lucky to have him. I ask him heaps of questions every time I go.

He's some more on the 3500 patients and implants

https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,207756.msg1843224.html#msg1843224

He's recently started doing electrolysis in St Leonards, and on the days he's in that office he offers nitrous oxide gas and/or anesthetic injections to help manage the pain. I don't know anyone else who can do that in Australia - the benefits of being a doctor. Some people do 8 hours sessions that way.

He doesn't do laser, or at least not yet.

[Claire_Sydney]

Yeah, Dr Hayes is a critical part of our community. I ask him endless questions too.

Next time I see him I want to know some more about sport and exercise. My testosterone levels are very close to zero and I'm wondering if that means I will find it pretty much impossible to rebuild cardio fitness. I want to get back into distance running, but have been struggling a bit. If there is no hope of improving I will consider some other forms of exercise.

I'm also pretty lucky that I live about 200m from his office in St Leonards.

I've been pretty impressed with the implants so far, but my levels won't be measured until July.

Wow, I knew he was popular, but 3,500 patients. Wow!

[AnonyMs]

Claire, I think you'd build fitness much like any women, whatever that means.

The great thing about having so many patients is that he's got a lot of experience to go on. He uses very high levels of HRT compared to other doctors, which is totally wonderful, and he's got a lot of evidence that its safe and effective. Not so the others.

[EmilyMK03]

Yea... women compete in all the same running events as men in the Olympics, I don't know why you would have to give up distance running.  Sure, women run slower than men at the highest competitive levels, but for the average person I don't see how having less testosterone would make much of a difference.

[Claire_Sydney]

I realise women participate in sport.

I'm also very happy to run in a slower pace brackets - my fast marathon times are behind me now anyhow.

It's more that my testosterone levels are well below the healthy female range (pretty close to zero). I wonder if it will even be possible to build fitness the way a cisgender female would. Or is testosterone not that significant in building cardio fitness?

I assumed (maybe wrongly?), given the lungs and heart are muscles, that it might be impossible to improve their strength and endurance in the complete absence of testosterone.

I really just want to know if training is futile or not....

[AnonyMs]

My T levels were very low, below female range, and Dr Hayes told me the test wasn't accurate at those levels. You can also get higher T if you wanted to.

Best ask the doctor I imagine.

[Claire_Sydney]

My T levels were very low, below female range, and Dr Hayes told me the test wasn't accurate at those levels. You can also get higher T if you wanted to.

Best ask the doctor I imagine.

Thanks.

From what I can tell, the healthy male range for FAI is 30 to 150. The healthy female range is 7 to 10. Last time I had blood taken, my FAI was 0.3. That is why I am doubtful about whether I can recover a base fitness to run distances again. My T is not comparable to normal cisgender athletes, Olympic or otherwise.

If the choice is between raising my androgen level (and slowing my transition) and choosing another sport, I'd probably look at a different sport.

I guess that's why I said it was something I plan to discuss during my next consult with Dr Hayes.

:-)