Endos, Hormones, and the Guessing Game

[Ms.Behavin]

Ha yes, would agree that being in the middle is a pain, but the changes are slow even with a high dosage and the changes month to month are so minor.  It's only when you see photo's of yourself from before and and say every two / three mnths that you notice the changes.

Part of the problem is we see ourself's everyday in the mirror and miss some of the changes.  This in part as the minds eye has this photo of what we should look like based on memory.  So we miss small changes till one day a friend takes a photo of you and there is only woman in the photo.  Then you realize that things have changed.
Post Merge: April 17, 2009, 12:05:37 AM
BTW,  the PSA test for MtF on E is not an effective test as the estrogen and spiro effects the reading on the PSA test. IE it can give a false negitive.  Double that for post op.  The good news is E greatly reduces the chances of prostrate cancer as it shrinks it and reduces its fuction.  (Info from my surgeon, btw)

[Ashley315]

But greatly increases the risk of breast cancer.  Studies are showing now that any woman (trans or cis) taking estrogen has a huge increase in their chance for developing breast cancer.  That being said, they can remove my breast from my cold dead body cause I'm sure as hell not having it done while I'm alive.

[Ms.Behavin]

Well It does increase chances in GG's and younger mtf when they get older.  For late transitioners the odds are not that bad, if your on low doasages.  For oldered girls the risk is small.

[GinaDouglas]

I have done a great deal of research on feminizing dosage regimens.  This one is the highest I have seen recommended by a doctor: [urlhttp://www.transgendercare.com/medical/resources/tmf_program/tmf_program_regimens.asp].  This regimen is 4x higher than some others I have seen.

As for Internet purchases, I live in the US.  I get the exact same drugs via New Zealand considerably cheaper than I can buy them here.  Without a prescription, so my doctor doesn't even have to agree to allow me to take the dosage I want to take.  I consult with the doctor, but I am not at her mercy.

For example, I know that it's riskier to smoke.  My doctor wants me to quit.  Some doctors would refuse to give a prescription to a smoker, and make her quit.  Mine can't do that.  I know the risk, and I decide whether or not to take it.  It's my decision, as a free adult, to make.

Other people choose to let their doctor dictate to them.  That's their decision to make, and I respect their right to make it.  But, nobody should think that she must allow the doctor to dictate, and moreso, nobody should think that she cannot choose to take charge of her own care.

I am also going to add that there is one factor that researchers recognize leads to better outcomes across all diseases and conditions.  That factor is when the patient takes charge of their own treatment.  If you are a kite blowing in the wind, you do not get as good of outcomes as when you become knowledgable about your own condition, and negotiate with your doctor how to customize your care to fit you, rather than taking the standard one-size-fits-all treatment.









Link disabled. Violtion of Rule 1 of the TOS --- Nichole