Progesterone

[Myranda]

So I mentioned in my Journey to Self-Discovery Thread, my GD just prescribed me Progesterone.  It is oral tablets, and not IM injections.  Obviously there are pros and cans to both forms.

But I'm curious as to others experiences with it, how they receive it (Oral or IM injections) and what to expect.  Also were others prescribed to cycle it or is it a constant much like their Estradiol?  My doctor has me cycling it every month to mimic natal female bodies.

I'm really looking forward to starting it over the next week or so.

[Mikaela]

Pills, cycled, 10 days a month. If it has an effect, it may be something subtle. I haven't been able to determine that in the 4 months I've been on them.


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[Myranda]

Thanks.  I'm on the same cycle.  So in the 4 months you have been on you have not noticed any significant sensations or changes, or feelings in your breasts?

[Mikaela]

Thanks.  I'm on the same cycle.  So in the 4 months you have been on you have not noticed any significant sensations or changes, or feelings in your breasts?

I have been on HRT since April 2017. I'm now a B Cup. I can't go outside without a sports bra any more if I want to present as male. My nipples are about twice their original size, and the breasts have a nice shape. All-in-all, good progress, I'd say, but i can't say what part of that is Progesterone, and what part estrogen/antiandrogen.


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[Mikaela]

Oh, and the breast tissue has moved back away from the nipples, with less pain. They are still a little tender. I respond differently to stimulation now. More sensitive, I would say, but that can be in a good way.


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[Myranda]

I have been on HRT since April 2017. I'm now a B Cup. I can't go outside without a sports bra any more if I want to present as male. My nipples are about twice their original size, and the breasts have a nice shape. All-in-all, good progress, I'd say, but i can't say what part of that is Progesterone, and what part estrogen/antiandrogen.

Oh, and the breast tissue has moved back away from the nipples, with less pain. They are still a little tender. I respond differently to stimulation now. More sensitive, I would say, but that can be in a good way.

That makes a lot of sense.  I'm only a couple of months behind you time wise as far as Estrogen, but more my own reason, I'm concerned about continuing the Antiandrogen.  That being said I have had some good breast growth and I've noticed some recent changes in them and I'm really excited to see what adding the progesterone will do.

I especially looking forward to the change in sensitivity as you mentioned.  Was that a recent change?

[judithlynn]

Hi Mikaela and Myranda;

I have been on Oestrogen only (No anti Androgen) for nearly five years and my T levels are just 0.9 nmol/l =(25.9 ng/dl) and Oestrogen 604 pmol = (164 pg/ml).

I have been taking Promethium (Micronised Progesterone) as well for just three months as an alternative to getting Breast Augmentation. I am already 44B (42C), but would really like to be a D Cup for my body frame.

From my personal experience, Promethium has made a difference already in my development, Overall my mood is more stable and my breasts are starting to fill out. In the mornings I really notice it that they appear heavier and I have added at least another inch to my buttocks. Even my beauty therapist who did a bikini wax and a few soft downy hairs on buttocks yesterday commented on how round my buttocks are starting to look. A girlfriend said that I am getting good projection now with more of an S curve to my back. I take my prometrium capsule at night time with a glass of hot milk and  in the next hour or so I feel very mellow and relaxed and generally when in bed fall into a deep sleep. In the morning I find my breasts appear to more prominent with upper pole  swelling and my areola look larger than normal and generally my breasts look more "out there".

For the first two months, I seemed to lose weight and despite other people saying I would have an increase in appetite, I have had the opposite (but I always have oats for breakfast preceded by a glass of apple cider vinegar, followed by a cup of peppermint tea)

For the first two months of this trial I took Promethium continuously , but for the third month (just finishing today) I took it cyclically.  That is day 1 to day 18 Oestrogen only, then Day 19-20 a double dose of Prometrium plus my twice daily Oestrogen followed by single nightly dose of Prometrium at night time and twice daily Oestrogen  at 10am and 10pm from day 20-30.

What I have found taking it cyclically is that on day 17-18 I get nausea in the morning, plus fatigue when I get up, muscle pain and a general feeling of being unwell with occasional stomach cramps. I also feel very moody and a bit depressed. But as soon as I go back on Day 19-20 on my Prometrium,  I wake up full of energy and feeling just totally me (sort of very complete womanly).  However by day 30, I have found that  the Progesterone has become very cloying (sort of excessive) So, now after nearly 10 days on progesterone, I'm starting to feel really good, calm and stable with no stress levels and my breasts are definitely more swollen, more bouncy and tender, areolae darker and wider, breasts fuller. I have also found that my libido is sometimes more intense than usual but nothing really out of the ordinary. Especially in the last month taking it cyclically this more bouncy feeling in my breasts has been more pronounced. I plan on putting up my experience on Susan's over time as I going back to my doctor next week to report on my "trial" with a plan to continue on it. For the moment despite my  experience of days 18-20, I am going to stick with it cyclically for the moment.

Best JudithLynn

[Mikaela]

That makes a lot of sense.  I'm only a couple of months behind you time wise as far as Estrogen, but more my own reason, I'm concerned about continuing the Antiandrogen.  That being said I have had some good breast growth and I've noticed some recent changes in them and I'm really excited to see what adding the progesterone will do.

I especially looking forward to the change in sensitivity as you mentioned.  Was that a recent change?

Gradual. They were pretty sore at first, then gradually got better. They hardly bother me at all now. YMMV!


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[KayXo]

So I mentioned in my Journey to Self-Discovery Thread, my GD just prescribed me Progesterone.  It is oral tablets, and not IM injections.  Obviously there are pros and cans to both forms.

IM is impractical. Daily injections are usually needed to keep levels stable.

But I'm curious as to others experiences with it, how they receive it (Oral or IM injections) and what to expect.  Also were others prescribed to cycle it or is it a constant much like their Estradiol?  My doctor has me cycling it every month to mimic natal female bodies.

I took it continuously. Cycling has so far not proven to be superior to continuous but some girls can't tolerate it continuously so take breaks. Every person is different and together with their doctor, must decide what is best for THEM.

I took it for 3 years, orally, a high dose relative to what is usually prescribed. I always took it with food to enhance absorption, twice daily to keep levels steadier. I stopped it recently and feel better mentally without it. It slowed me down too much and I feel prettier without it.

[Pisces228]

I take micronized progesterone daily for 3 weeks on and 1 week off.  Not to mimic a cycle, per se, but after a few weeks it starts to feel a bit cloying and I need a break.  Though, I did skip my last week off because I felt fine and nothing different happened.  I makes my breasts rounder and gradually larger during taking and during the week off, stabilizes my emotions, makes my skin softer, and I believe helped with my fat redistribution.  My breasts did definitely kick into high gear once I started P.

[Myranda]

Hi Mikaela and Myranda;

I have been on Oestrogen only (No anti Androgen) for nearly five years and my T levels are just 0.9 nmol/l =(25.9 ng/dl) and Oestrogen 604 pmol = (164 pg/ml).

I have been taking Promethium (Micronised Progesterone) as well for just three months as an alternative to getting Breast Augmentation. I am already 44B (42C), but would really like to be a D Cup for my body frame.

From my personal experience, Promethium has made a difference already in my development, Overall my mood is more stable and my breasts are starting to fill out. In the mornings I really notice it that they appear heavier and I have added at least another inch to my buttocks. Even my beauty therapist who did a bikini wax and a few soft downy hairs on buttocks yesterday commented on how round my buttocks are starting to look. A girlfriend said that I am getting good projection now with more of an S curve to my back. I take my prometrium capsule at night time with a glass of hot milk and  in the next hour or so I feel very mellow and relaxed and generally when in bed fall into a deep sleep. In the morning I find my breasts appear to more prominent with upper pole  swelling and my areola look larger than normal and generally my breasts look more "out there".

For the first two months, I seemed to lose weight and despite other people saying I would have an increase in appetite, I have had the opposite (but I always have oats for breakfast preceded by a glass of apple cider vinegar, followed by a cup of peppermint tea)

For the first two months of this trial I took Promethium continuously , but for the third month (just finishing today) I took it cyclically.  That is day 1 to day 18 Oestrogen only, then Day 19-20 a double dose of Prometrium plus my twice daily Oestrogen followed by single nightly dose of Prometrium at night time and twice daily Oestrogen  at 10am and 10pm from day 20-30.

What I have found taking it cyclically is that on day 17-18 I get nausea in the morning, plus fatigue when I get up, muscle pain and a general feeling of being unwell with occasional stomach cramps. I also feel very moody and a bit depressed. But as soon as I go back on Day 19-20 on my Prometrium,  I wake up full of energy and feeling just totally me (sort of very complete womanly).  However by day 30, I have found that  the Progesterone has become very cloying (sort of excessive) So, now after nearly 10 days on progesterone, I'm starting to feel really good, calm and stable with no stress levels and my breasts are definitely more swollen, more bouncy and tender, areolae darker and wider, breasts fuller. I have also found that my libido is sometimes more intense than usual but nothing really out of the ordinary. Especially in the last month taking it cyclically this more bouncy feeling in my breasts has been more pronounced. I plan on putting up my experience on Susan's over time as I going back to my doctor next week to report on my "trial" with a plan to continue on it. For the moment despite my  experience of days 18-20, I am going to stick with it cyclically for the moment.

Best JudithLynn

JudtithLynn,  thank you so much that was really very helpful and insightful.  MY doctor has prescribed what I think is the lowest dose once a day for 10 days a month.  I'm looking at doing it on days 1-10 of the month just to make keeping track of when I need to take it that much easier.

[Myranda]

I take micronized progesterone daily for 3 weeks on and 1 week off.  Not to mimic a cycle, per se, but after a few weeks it starts to feel a bit cloying and I need a break.  Though, I did skip my last week off because I felt fine and nothing different happened.  It makes my breasts rounder and gradually larger during taking and during the week off, stabilizes my emotions, makes my skin softer, and I believe helped with my fat redistribution.  My breasts did definitely kick into high gear once I started P.

Pisces, that is rather interesting as it seems to be the opposite of most cycle regimens for Progesterone.

[Pisces228]

Pisces, that is rather interesting as it seems to be the opposite of most cycle regimens for Progesterone.

I feel better when I am on it daily for the most part.  I tried a true 2 weeks on then 2 weeks off cycle for a few months and I noticed no physical difference in my body than when I took it daily.  The one week off came about because after so long I start to feel kinda bloated and like I have pms when taking it non stop.  But like I said, I skipped my last week off because I felt fine and I still feel fine.  Also, my T went way down when  I started P. 

[Myranda]

I feel better when I am on it daily for the most part.  I tried a true 2 weeks on then 2 weeks off cycle for a few months and I noticed no physical difference in my body than when I took it daily.  The one week off came about because after so long I start to feel kinda bloated and like I have pms when taking it non stop.  But like I said, I skipped my last week off because I felt fine and I still feel fine.  Also, my T went way down when  I started P.

I've heard that Progesterone also has an anti-androgen/T blocker/reducing effect as well.  Which is one of the reason I'm excited to take it in addition to the assistance I hope it will provide to my development otherwise.  Out of curiosity, any idea how much it dropped your T?  But I al;so assume that it would have been that effective in dropping your T because you were taking it everyday, as opposed to cycling it?

[KayXo]

I've heard that Progesterone also has an anti-androgen/T blocker/reducing effect as well.  Which is one of the reason I'm excited to take it in addition to the assistance I hope it will provide to my development otherwise.  Out of curiosity, any idea how much it dropped your T?  But I al;so assume that it would have been that effective in dropping your T because you were taking it everyday, as opposed to cycling it?

My T also dropped significantly when I was taking progesterone daily but it might have been due to other reasons.

As far as I know,

- only supraphysiological levels of P inhibit DHT formation in-vitro so nothing can be concluded as far as P inhibiting DHT
- high doses to very high doses of P orally increase SHBG which strongly binds DHT and T but the vast majority of transwomen won't take that much
- high doses/levels of progesterone can reduce pituitary output of LH and thus testosterone secretion from the gonads but, again, most of us will not be taking enough to get that effect when pre-op

My "non expert" conclusion: P has very little to no anti- androgenic effect at the doses prescribed to us. Check with your doctor and do your own research.

[Pisces228]

I've heard that Progesterone also has an anti-androgen/T blocker/reducing effect as well.  Which is one of the reason I'm excited to take it in addition to the assistance I hope it will provide to my development otherwise.  Out of curiosity, any idea how much it dropped your T?  But I al;so assume that it would have been that effective in dropping your T because you were taking it everyday, as opposed to cycling it?

82 ng per ml to 10 in three months  The only change was adding the prometrium.  My Dr ended up lowering my spiro so I wouldn't go too low.  Last blood work I was at 18 ng per ml and feel great.

[Myranda]

82 ng per ml to 10 in three months  The only change was adding the prometrium.  My Dr ended up lowering my spiro so I wouldn't go too low.  Last blood work I was at 18 ng per ml and feel great.

Tara, Thank you so much that is good information to have.  And just to be clear during that time you were taking it more or less every day, and not cycling it 10 days/month?

[Pisces228]

Tara, Thank you so much that is good information to have.  And just to be clear during that time you were taking it more or less every day, and not cycling it 10 days/month?

Yes, I was taking every day at that point and was not doing any kind of cycle at all.

[pamelatransuk]

Hello to you all

I have just joined Susan's, I am 62 but have always known I have the wrong body.

I am in therapy and wish to pursue both HRT and Electolysis and seek similar outcomes to Judith but I know it takes a long time!

I have read a lot about HRT and I know most of us are on either Oestrogen solely or Oestrogen and AA but only a small number have Progesterone added.

Please forgive my ignorance but I just wish to ask a simple question:

If ciswomen have Progesterone in their bodies, why is it not the norm for us transgender girls to have medication for Progesterone? Why only the exception? As a necessary add-on perhaps? Thank you

Pamela

[KayXo]

82 ng per ml to 10 in three months  The only change was adding the prometrium.  My Dr ended up lowering my spiro so I wouldn't go too low.  Last blood work I was at 18 ng per ml and feel great.

Just to make a correction on the units. I think you meant to say 82 ng/DL down to 18-10 ng/DL. Ng/ml would be 0.82 to 0.18-0.10.

Please forgive my ignorance but I just wish to ask a simple question:

If ciswomen have Progesterone in their bodies, why is it not the norm for us transgender girls to have medication for Progesterone? Why only the exception? As a necessary add-on perhaps? Thank you

Progesterone is really only needed for pregnancy and for the fetus/future baby. Estrogen appears to be the principal hormone that triggers female secondary sexual characteristics so this is why perhaps progesterone is not as emphasized in the treatment and due to lack of studies in transwomen (although cyproterone acetate, a progestogen, has been extensively used and even medroxyprogesterone acetate) and ignorance.

Some women do feel it's beneficial to them, others not. So, it really seems to depend. I'm still on the fence about it, having taken it for several years at moderate-high doses. Right now, I don't take any.

You need to discuss this more in depth with your doctor.