Should I use over the counter hormones?

[Blackwaters427]

So I've been talking to my therapist about getting on prescription hrt and it looks like it's going to be a while before I can get started. Should I use over the counter hormones in the meantime, or should I wait on those? Or should I avoid them altogether?

[Devlyn]

It really depends on your plans. I'm a big advocate of herbal supplements, especially for people who just want a more feminine body. If you're going down the WPATH full transition path, it's probably best to wait for the pharmaceutical hormones as the  WPATH  process usually includes them on the "checklist".

Hugs, Devlyn

[Cindy]

Just commenting on over the counter HRT rather than herbal supplements. Of course they are widely used and in some countries there are no alternatives, that said the quality of the product and the efficacy can vary greatly.
You will rarely hear of negative side effects from people using them as the negative side effects tend to be devastating from a health point of view. I would caution strongly against using them. I followed the clinical path and took the normal oestrogen hormone and had such a reaction to it that my health was severely compromised, I had no personal inkling and it was only when my endocrinologist called me and asked if I was OK and was I suffering some side effects and then said stop taking HRT and come and see me immediately, was I alerted to the danger I was in.

Other women of course have no issues. It depends on how you want to live your life, your choices are yours, but possibly suffering a stroke or DVT is not an experience that I would wish on anyone.

[AnonyMs]

What is the difference between over the counter hormones and prescription?

[Devlyn]

None as far as I  know.

[SadieBlake]

In the US there is no such thing as OTC hormones and the things that are available are as far as i know hormone analogues such as black cohosh root or soy aka phytoestrogens.

Estrogen in the US is only available by prescription.

By all means take supplements if they make you feel better. I used black cohosh long ago and did have my estrogen levels tested, the result was no visible difference from a regular cis male.

[ShaunaCarlson]

I had just discovered this as well. As there are some herbal stuff that encourages breast growth, curves, and even hair loss that have hormonal properties like fenugreek and wild yam for breasts. I'm going to see if I can use these in conjunction with HRT.

[jentay1367]

Every anecdotal and apocryphal amount of information I've encountered would indicate that you're playing Russian roulette with your health. That's all I got. You're gonna do what you're gonna do.

[Virginia Hall]

Hormones are available from overseas from countries where they are not as highly regulated as in the USA. I used to get premarin from Germany through a Canadian on-line pharmacy. I have been on estrogen for 42 years and cross my fingers, so far so good. Currently I inject. There is an article on my website about this.

[DawnOday]

Other women of course have no issues. It depends on how you want to live your life, your choices are yours, but possibly suffering a stroke or DVT is not an experience that I would wish on anyone.

Been there, done that. Had a TIA. Only stole a few brain cells, but all brain cells are precious.

[Ashley3]

So I've been talking to my therapist about getting on prescription hrt and it looks like it's going to be a while before I can get started. Should I use over the counter hormones in the meantime, or should I wait on those? Or should I avoid them altogether?

Can you elaborate on why it will "be a while?" ...  if it's too personal then forget the question. I'm only asking because I see various possibilities.

I did herbals a while back but stopped doing them regularly after really wrapping my head around the liver issues. On hindsight, the herbal approach was partly a way of doing something on my own in private because I was fearful of coming out. While that's different than your situation, I mention it because I think herbals are often considered for reasons which have to do with not getting the real thing which one wants, or maybe as a stopgap. If a stopgap, I guess the worth of doing over-the-counter alternatives should be weighed against the length of the stopgap and the impact of the alternative.

I don't dislike that I tried herbals—I actually very much felt like it made my day at times—but I also now know it wasn't ultimately what I was seeking. I think herbals can sometimes be a stopgap that's not really wanted, and can have harsh effects on the system if taken incorrectly.

Your liver, I think, has to process so much, and I think that includes the herbals, for example, and I think a lot of that stuff daily is not good for the liver at least. It's no comparison, for example, to the patch or deep-subcutaneous injections of Estradiol under the care of a very experienced caring trustworthy care provider. (I have such a regime and I didn't conjure it up on my own... it was carefully discussed with my care provider, all carefully matched to my particular age, situation, body and so forth.)

So I'm not suggesting over-the-counter answers aren't here with the right care/approach... just be careful about being haphazard is what I'll say. I'm still curious if this is a plan of both you/your therapist, or if it is just your own thing until your therapist arrives. (and again, don't answer if too personal... I was just wondering... maybe others might have more robust input if understanding your overall situation.)

[RobinG78]

I was using herbal supplements, I stopped because of the effect on my stomach. I may have been taking too much at a time. Folks are always going to try home remedies. While I have seen some breast growth, I also do breast message several times a day. Listed to some subliminal too. I know the one I listened to about stiff nipples and sensitivity worked for about 15 min LOL

[Cindy]

Ahhh the elephant!

We and others are desperate for help and we can be easily led by promises of the effects of potions and creams - I bought my first breast growth cream as a spotty 13 year old from a sex shop in soho, I was way too young to be there, but they willingly took my carefully saved money- I did't grow boobs.

People with serious disease will waste money, effort and hope on the dreams of cure or relief. I know it too well; even though I am an oncologist the grasp of hope for a cancer cure from some charlatan or promise of cure from a miracle cream is very tempting to try. Strange though, I haven't prayed to any gods or been tempted to visit holy shrines as I have no belief in them, but an unproven miracle herb - well? 

Ask someone with arthritic pain about the palliative effect of a copper bracelet, there is zero evidence they work but hope springs and drives an affect - the science of the placebo is strong.

For us waiting for HRT, the promise of a herb, or a compound that may be made in unhygienic conditions with no quality control or proof of manufacture can be a very tempting relief from our frustration and pain. We may also be tempted to think that dosages don't matter; if X works then ten times X is even better. Of course side effects are something that happens to others, then again the dead don't tell tales.

When I was practising I listened to clients telling me how they should be treated - they had Googled their condition so knew what to do - my input was to be purely as an adjunct advisor. When I was being treated by my oncologists the temptation to tell them how to treat me was also overpowering - and misinformed.

"Should I use over the counter hormones?"

By posting the question you know the answer, it sits on the couch above, whether anyone takes any notice or not is a decision each of us will make with the hope that we will be safe and happy with the outcome.

I just hope we all are.

[Ashley3]

...Ahhh the elephant! ...

A great way to put it.

... I bought my first breast growth cream as a spotty 13 year old from a sex shop in soho, I was way too young to be there, but they willingly took my carefully saved money- I did't grow boobs. ...

If I had only been so advanced and enterprising then...  ...I got to cream much later... and while I administered it carefully with certainty that too much would give rise to new wonders of the world, not much happened other than it had a very medical smell which probably helped its placebo effect. I then get less careful and started caking it on... but not much happened. LoL  ... so much money over so many years on many workarounds. It wasn't all for naught but there was a lot of waste yet I look back with appreciation... I needed to take the path I was able to see.

[ShaunaCarlson]

Ultimately, we're all on the same journey of bringing out our inner woman. We're butterflies in a cocoon transforming into what we internalize what we are. Do you really want to jeopardize it?

I totally understand that you're cocoon is just developing, so is mine. After 46 years of praying, hoping, rolling crits on that transformation spell I want it so bad but I don't want to do anything that will put me or my transition in danger.

I would talk to my therapist really and see what she/he says about it. It might do more harm than good.

[Dani]

Blackwaters427,

I noticed you put a ? in the gender marker on your profile. Until you can identify a gender, your therapist is right in holding off on HRT. Know yourself.

In the US, otc hormones are very mild and not nearly strong enough to effect any of the changes we desire. Most physicians consider them a waste of money.