Progesterone Month 2 breast development

[KellsieLynne1]

OK, here we are on month 2 of my new medication, Progesterone.  On the days I am on my Progesterone I am truly in control of my emotions.  By the second day off of my Progesterone, I am an emotional mess having trouble concentrating and crying over stupid little stuff.  On the plus side, my breasts have definitely gotten Fuller, and I'm noticing some darkening around the areolas, so even those are beginning to develop.  I guess the fight with the VA to prescribe Progesterone was worth it.  I started this journey 7yrs ago, and have been working with the VA secretary on implementing new TG standards of care, as well as my local community based outpatient clinic to train staff in transgender care.  I will update as things progress.

[Jacqueline]

Roller coaster ride huh? Thanks for the work on the new standards. I hope it helps our vets.

With warmth,

Joanna

[Harley Quinn]

Woo Whoo!!!  While you're talking them up...  I'd love to see pellet implants at the VA!

[KellsieLynne1]

Some endos in the VA do offer the three month shot if that's what you are referring to.  It was offered to me, but after much research, I opted for micronized Progesterone instead, just to see how I would react to the new medication.  I opted for better mental health, rather than taking the chances of severe depression.  I already have severe PTSD with depression.  Although while on the Progesterone, my moods are much better, and my depression much better, I prefer to cycle my doses, rather than a steady dose.  I do this not to mimic a cisgender woman's cycle, but because I do not want my body to get used to the progesterone, and for a much better effect as in a woman's cycle.  Cisgender women, only produce Progesterone the week of their cycle, and the week following their cycle.  That being said; optimal development of breasts would I occur through cycling.

[KayXo]

Cycling to the extent that women do these days does not appear to be natural and could be the (or one of the) reason why breast cancer is more prevalent these days in women. Traditionally, women spent most their lives pregnant or breastfeeding, having much less cycles and spending much more time either in a state of high levels of progesterone and estrogen (that gradually increase over time) or in state of low levels of sex hormones but high prolactin and oxytocin.

Cycling is also conducive to high and lows, in other words, PMS. I personally prefer more steady so I take my progesterone continuously, its effects persist.  Some suffer from progesterone withdrawal, some appear not to.

[Harley Quinn]

Some endos in the VA do offer the three month shot if that's what you are referring to.

Oh, no the estrogen pellet implant.

[HappyMoni]

Hi,
   I just started progesterone two days ago. I didn't get a whole lot of breast growth on E and Spiro alone. Is there a general feeling that the progesterone makes a significant difference?
Moni

[KayXo]

Progesterone makes my breasts swell, especially the areolas and make them more prominent. Some breast pain as well. Helps me relax, improves my vision and memory, makes my skin & hair softer, less dry (I think), can help strengthen nails that are brittle. It also appears to stimulate nipple development. Your mileage may vary, depends on the dose you are taking, how you are taking it, your metabolism, how much estrogen you are taking as estrogen upregulates progesterone receptors, making tissues more sensitive/responsive to progesterone, etc.

I take a high dose of progesterone orally w/food to increase absorption. My estrogen levels are quite high as well.

[AshleyP]

Progesterone makes my breasts swell, especially the areolas and make them more prominent. Some breast pain as well. Helps me relax, improves my vision and memory, makes my skin & hair softer, less dry (I think), can help strengthen nails that are brittle. It also appears to stimulate nipple development. Your mileage may vary, depends on the dose you are taking, how you are taking it, your metabolism, how much estrogen you are taking as estrogen upregulates progesterone receptors, making tissues more sensitive/responsive to progesterone, etc.

Just curious, Kay. Are you taking medroxyprogesterone acetate, Provera or micronized progesterone, Prometrium?

All the best,
--Ashley

[judithlynn]

xxxx

[KayXo]

Just curious, Kay. Are you taking medroxyprogesterone acetate, Provera or micronized progesterone, Prometrium?

Micronized progesterone. I never took and will never take medroxyprogesterone acetate.

[HappyMoni]

Why do you say that Kay? Did I miss the why somewhere?
Monica

Micronized progesterone. I never took and will never take medroxyprogesterone acetate.

[jentay1367]

It's not bio identical......but of course, neither is valerate or cypionate estradiol which many of us inject or swallow.  Be intersting to hear Kays rationale as she's always elucidating me on this stuff. I think I want to take progesterone as well and need to know more about the efficacy of the different types and the inherent benefits and dangers

[KayXo]

Estradiol valerate and (probably cypionate) are bio-identical in that the uncleaved form of the ester does not bind to the estrogen receptor to any significant extent until broken down into estradiol 17-beta. Also estradiol valerate is very quickly hydrolyzed/cleaved (broken down) into estradiol when it enters the blood so there would be no time for its uncleaved form to do anything. Both have shown to be quite safe in studies. I inject estradiol valerate and despite my high blood levels of estradiol, my blood test results have come back normal given the circumstances.

As far as progesterone vs. medroxyprogesterone acetate, the latter has shown to increase the risk of breast cancer, clotting and vascular incidents and act in a very different manner than the bio-identical progesterone naturally produced by us. It can also make some people quite depressed, anxious and irritable, sometimes even suicidal. It opposes estrogen's favorable lipid effects and is somewhat androgenic unlike micronized progesterone.

[jentay1367]

Estradiol valerate and (probably cypionate) are bio-identical in that the uncleaved form of the ester does not bind to the estrogen receptor to any significant extent until broken down into estradiol 17-beta. Also estradiol valerate is very quickly hydrolyzed/cleaved (broken down) into estradiol when it enters the blood so there would be no time for its uncleaved form to do anything. Both have shown to be quite safe in studies. I inject estradiol valerate and despite my high blood levels of estradiol, my blood test results have come back normal given the circumstances.

As far as progesterone vs. medroxyprogesterone acetate, the latter has shown to increase the risk of breast cancer, clotting and vascular incidents and act in a very different manner than the bio-identical progesterone naturally produced by us. It can also make some people quite depressed, anxious and irritable, sometimes even suicidal. It opposes estrogen's favorable lipid effects and is somewhat androgenic unlike micronized progesterone.

What's the best form for ingestion Kay? IM? Pill? Patch? I'm not even sure how it comes.

[KayXo]

First, this needs to be discussed with a doctor. I'm NOT a doctor.

Studies do suggest non-oral administration to be safer and that the form of bio-identical estrogen is safer than other forms. I've personally done better on injections except for breast growth (?), some girls also feel injections are better but others have done quite well on oral or sublingual, patches or other (pellets). It depends. Trial and error?