Herbal/natural hormones pre NHS

[TsukiCat]

I'm becoming an obsessive I'm this forum:)

Something is been wanting to ask for a while is about natural hormones and natural t blockers if they exist. Has anyone had experience with them. Those versus the doctor prescriptions are there any differences?

I literally just mentioned on another post I'm on a waiting list for the nhs but they take for ever and I'm desperate to start. If these do start your transitioning sooner will it alter what the nhs will help me with. Or will they simply just swap if ones better.

If you gals n guys have had good experiences with these herbal hormones and they work would you be able to tell me which ones are the best? Thanks yall

[Dani]

Natural hormones do exist. Our bodies make those all the time. The problem is that sometimes our bodies produce the wrong ones. 

What I think you are asking is, "Are herbal hormones effective?"

While some people here on Susan's Place have used herbal hormones with some degree of success, most of us agree that herbals hormones are very mild at best. Some of us go so far as to say that herbals are really a waste of money, because the prescription hormones, which are bio-identical, are many times more effective and they do not cost that much more than herbals hormones. And when you add in the payments from health insurance, they may actually be less expensive.

Prescription hormones are so powerful that your blood levels must be monitored by a doctor familiar with hormone replacement therapy, but the results are truly amazing. Just take a look at the before and after thread here on Susan's Place.

If you want to take herbal hormones, they most likely will do no harm. You may feel a little bit better psychologically because you are now doing something to get you where you need to be with your gender needs. However, do not expect dramatic results.

[Devlyn]

If you're on the feminine side, there's a good chance supplements will make you bloom. If you have more masculine traits, they probably won't have enough  "push" to bring out your inner flower.

I used them to great success, but the site rules prevent me from going into details. Do your homework on breast enlargement sites.

Hugs, Devlyn

[TsukiCat]

Oh I see, well I suppose some additional questions would be: if you are in the feminine side will it be enough to trigger any facial or body changes? Will it trigger breast growth and make the body more female. I suppose it did sound too good to be true

[Devlyn]

It's always YMMV, but I saw skin softening, breast growth to a little over an A cup, and atrophy of the penis and testicles along with reduced libido and function.

[TsukiCat]

Oh well that's definitely a start, would you recommend doing this while I Wait Devlyn? How far do you reckon you can pass while using em? Or is it not something to think about at this time.

Also what's YMMV?

[TsukiCat]

Oh also was there any or much fat distribution Devlyn? Ie in face and body or n/a to this

[pamelatransuk]

I'm becoming an obsessive I'm this forum:)

Something is been wanting to ask for a while is about natural hormones and natural t blockers if they exist. Has anyone had experience with them. Those versus the doctor prescriptions are there any differences?

I literally just mentioned on another post I'm on a waiting list for the nhs but they take for ever and I'm desperate to start. If these do start your transitioning sooner will it alter what the nhs will help me with. Or will they simply just swap if ones better.

While some people here on Susan's Place have used herbal hormones with some degree of success, most of us agree that herbals hormones are very mild at best. Some of us go so far as to say that herbals are really a waste of money, because the prescription hormones, which are bio-identical, are many times more effective and they do not cost that much more than herbals hormones. And when you add in the payments from health insurance, they may actually be less expensive.

Hello again TsukiCat

I think you may be raising the matter of Herbal Hormones due to the ridiculous time we have to wait here in UK for transgender care under the NHS. I have great admiration for our NHS but it simply inadequately funded for us. You also quite rightly query whether NHS system, under which you have applied but for which you will probably have to wait till 2020 to begin treatment, would be affected by your decision to take other forms and hence you consider herbal.

My advice is similar to Dani's in that herbal are not as effective as they are not bioidentical which prescription ones are and are likely in UK to cost more anyway. You would be better going for private treatment (eg GenderGP) who provide therapy and if they agree afterwards HRT - both blockers and estradiol. This method is less expensive than herbal blockers and herbal estrogen and is safer and is medically monitored. If NHS ultimately permit you HRT, then they would not object that you had already been on medically supervised HRT privately; I do not know their attitude to unsupervised herbals and I would guess they would simply mildly rebuke you and advise not to participate in it again.

"YMMV" is often used here on Susans and means "Your Mileage May Vary"

Good luck with whatever option(s) you choose to pursue.

Hugs

Pamela

[Devlyn]

Oh well that's definitely a start, would you recommend doing this while I Wait Devlyn? How far do you reckon you can pass while using em? Or is it not something to think about at this time.

Also what's YMMV?

I can't and won't make recommendations for you, but do some research like I mentioned earlier. Use common sense, and  always let your medical providers know what you're taking so they can check for interactions or issues.   

Hugs, Devlyn

[Charlie Nicki]

Oh well that's definitely a start, would you recommend doing this while I Wait Devlyn? How far do you reckon you can pass while using em? Or is it not something to think about at this time.

Also what's YMMV?

"Your mileage may vary". Basically everyone can get different results.

[MissyMay2.0]

I don' now how your NHS works, but I'm curious to know if trans people are required to use those resources, or if you have the option seeing a private practitioner for HRT, since this would allow you to get treatment sooner.

[annaleaver]

I wouldn't expect results anywhere close to what prescriptive medication can afford...with that said, soya milk acts in a similar way to estrogen in the body

[TsukiCat]

Thanks all, sadly private really isn't an option. I'm from a bit of a poor background and we barely afford food n stuff half the time. I have found reading up that you can buy the hormones legally that doctors prescribe I'm unsure if I'm aloud to link. I'm surely considering this.

[Devlyn]

Me, pre HRT using only supplements.

[Charlie Nicki]

Me, pre HRT using only supplements.

You looked great.

[MissyMay2.0]

Thanks all, sadly private really isn't an option. I'm from a bit of a poor background and we barely afford food n stuff half the time. I have found reading up that you can buy the hormones legally that doctors prescribe I'm unsure if I'm aloud to link. I'm surely considering this.

You really shouldn't use hormones without a Doctor's supervison though, because you need to have your blood monitored to make sure your estrogen level is where it should be; if your estrogen level is too low, then your results will likely be inadequate, and if too high could cause serious health problems. And they also need to monitor your testosterone level as well, to ensure that it is adequately suppressed for feminization, and so that you can be on the lowest dose of anti androgen medication.

[TsukiCat]

Oh wow you looked absolutely amazing! I have found out that a lot of uk trans girls self medicate and have found many guides online  I am looking into this and will make sure to at the least get blood tests from doctors to make sure I don't do myself In! I kbiw theres risks but if keeoing track of bloods shiukd be safe. Thanks everyone this subject was a very interesting one and I really can't believe how great you looked Devlyn

[Devlyn]

Aw, shucks.   Thank you.

Hugs, Devlyn

[pamelatransuk]

I don' now how your NHS works, but I'm curious to know if trans people are required to use those resources, or if you have the option seeing a private practitioner for HRT, since this would allow you to get treatment sooner.

Hello MissyMay

Just to answer your question about the British NHS:

The normal procedure would be to visit your GP and explain you are or believe you could be transgender and the GP would probably refer you to Gender Identity Clinic of which there are 8 in UK I believe. However you would be lucky to get an appointment before 2020 such is the backlog; also the GP may provide within a few months local general therapy rather than transgender therapy.

Therefore so many of us like me (but sadly TsukiCat and others cannot afford) decide to go privately - many of us use GenderGP are there are several GenderGP threads on Transgender Talk Board here on Susan's. By going privately we have 3 advantages:

1. We get immediate transgender therapy
2. If agreed as psychologically advisable, we get HRT usually within 3 months under Informed Consent as in US and pay extra of course for medication.
3. We do not have to follow the ridiculous NHS rule of no HRT without Real Life Experience (RLE) living full time.

As I have said before, I greatly admire our NHS but unfortunately it not adequately funded for transgender care and hence I go private and am treated faster.

Thanks for your interest and I am sure we will chat on many trans subjects as it is interesting for me to compare UK to US to Australia to Canada etc.

Hugs to you

Pamela

[hiddengirlsheila]

Since i currently cant get on HRT like you TsukiCat, i'm supplementing myself with flaxseed oil which i have only been doing that for a few weeks so i havent noticed any changes yet if there even will be a change. I'm mostly looking for that little increase in breast size to make them appear more plump but it probably wont happen. Gaining weight actually helps you have breasts, doing pushups and some other exercising might make the breasts shaped more firmly and tone up a bit but of course you'll usually shed some pounds if you regularly did that which defeats the purpose of wanting more weight.

Honestly, HRT really is your best bet, you cannot expect better results from alternatives because the alternatives are like gambling, chances are you'll lose and come home empty handed quite literally because its more than likely a waste of money. Flaxseed oil, however, has other benefits so its not a waste for me and it's safe to take. You could try seeing if it does something for you though.