I am going to Try Finasteride and Hopefully Progesterone Any Thoughts?

[KayXo]

You should also be aware that finasteride blocks 5-alpha-reductase Type II everywhere, including in your brain, not just at hair follicles. This can be a concern because it means pregnenolone cannot be converted to allopregnenolone, an important neurohormone.

Correction: progesterone converts to allopregnanolone, a neurosteroid which has anti-depressant and anxiolytic effects, indirectly by converting to dihydroprogesterone thanks to 5 alpha reductase activity which is inhibited by finasteride so that you can potentially become anxious and depressed. At low doses of finasteride, some women have reported no effect on the brain while still reaping benefits for scalp hair.

As far as progesterone, it may be worth a try, even though there is still no objective clinical evidence that it enhances breast growth.

It promotes lobulo-alveolar growth. There is clinical unequivocal evidence for this.

However be aware that progestins down-regulate the expression of estrogen receptors throughout the body through genomic actions. The primary purpose of progesterone is to function as an anti-estrogen, inhibiting estrogen-induced proliferation of the endometrial lining of the uterus and maintain the uterus for pregnancy. Progesterone and other  progestins may influence central nervous system function and psyche, inhibit gonadotropin release, increase body temperature and appetite, and antagonize various central effects of estrogens. Progestins may also impair glucose tolerance and cause a slight hyperinsulinemia.

It is important to differentiate between progesterone and other progestogens as their effects can differ quite significantly.

My doctor didn't recommend me taking progesterone.  It's a pregnancy hormone to prepare the uterus and the milk glands in the breasts which is what causes the breasts to swell.  Afterward, the milk glands/ducts shrink back to normal leaving the breasts with less firmness (sag).

They only shrink back (partially) if you stop progesterone. Same if you stop taking estradiol. Why would you stop taking either?

[Harley Quinn]

Correction: progesterone converts to allopregnanolone, a neurosteroid which has anti-depressant and anxiolytic effects, indirectly by converting to dihydroprogesterone thanks to 5 alpha reductase activity which is inhibited by finasteride so that you can potentially become anxious and depressed. At low doses of finasteride, some women have reported no effect on the brain while still reaping benefits for scalp hair.

It promotes lobulo-alveolar growth. There is clinical unequivocal evidence for this.

It is important to differentiate between progesterone and other progestogens as their effects can differ quite significantly.

They only shrink back (partially) if you stop progesterone. Same if you stop taking estradiol. Why would you stop taking either?

So I take it as you're an advocate of Progesterone?

[KayXo]

I think it can have its place in a transsexual woman's regimen based on findings from studies (and anecdotal evidence) but in some women, it can apparently have a negative effect on mood, lead to too much weight gain and even cause some breast shrinkage due to its anti-estrogenic effect. Trial and error.

[Lady_Oracle]

I never understood that argument against starting P (because its a pregnancy hormone) thats not all it is. Its thanks to P that cis women reach the later stages of breast development. When ovulation and menstruation begin, progesterone is introduced and so the breasts go into a new growth phase.

I've been on it for years and yes I'm still small cupped (cause genetics) however they're way more mature than I've seen from most trans women, nipple and areola size wise and there was a couple of times I had been off P for months and didn't notice a change in size. I think all trans women should try it vs never trying it at all.

[Ange]

Since I intend to breastfeed on a far away future, and my breast are actually A-- (cute but barely visible), shoudl I start Progesterone ?

I really need to gain weigth BTW. (I'm 58 kg for 1m80)

[Lady_Oracle]

Progesterone is crucial in developing milk ducts so yep you need to be on P and it should help you gain weight too.

[Ange]

I've only been 18 monthes on HRT (even less in fact since I had SRS), so I wonder if this is enough.

I've read that progesterone slow down breast development, and that it would be better used after a few years on oestrogens.

I'd like to begin asap but maybe I should wait another 6 monthes or even 1 or 2 years.

[Lady_Oracle]

If that were true then I wouldn't have developed as nearly as well as I did and would still be at like tanner stage 3. I began the process of inducing earlier this year. If you're interested shoot me a pm and I'll send you some info.

side note: I started progesterone from day 1 of hrt and everything worked out fine.

[KayXo]

Progesterone is crucial in developing milk ducts

Not milk ducts but milk glands (lobules and acini/alveoli), hence lobulo-alveolar growth. Milk ducts are especially stimulated by estrogen.

[Lady_Oracle]

Thanks Kay! I get my terms mixed up, I had a feeling it wasn't right. 

I'd also like to say I had success with inducing about 3 months after I started, actual milk coming through but it wasn't a lot, at least not yet. I might make a thread about it. Its good to know my breasts at the very least are responsive.

[KayXo]

Progesterone actually strongly inhibits milk letdown and lactation but it's thanks to that hormone that milk glands form in the first place.

[Maybebaby56]

Correction: progesterone converts to allopregnanolone

That was my mistake.  Thank you for catching that.

It promotes lobulo-alveolar growth. There is clinical unequivocal evidence for this.

Unless you are lactating, the milk glands are small fraction of total breast size, are they not?

It is important to differentiate between progesterone and other progestogens as their effects can differ quite significantly.

The effects I mentioned apply to progesterone.

~Terri

[Lady_Oracle]

Progesterone actually strongly inhibits milk letdown and lactation but it's thanks to that hormone that milk glands form in the first place.

Yep! Once I noticed clear/cloudy fluid coming out I stopped taking P and milk started coming in. It took about a week or so and then I started getting sprays. I basically followed the same protocols most who induce try and had success. I didn't think it'd be possible pre-op still but I managed.

[Ange]

Unless you are lactating, the milk glands are small fraction of total breast size, are they not?

Mmm, since my breast size is barely existant, I think it would change much in my case

[KayXo]

Unless you are lactating, the milk glands are small fraction of total breast size, are they not?

No. I see for myself how progesterone makes my breasts wider and fuller thanks to stimulating the formation of glands. There is a significant difference.