Hormone Blockers

[Jamie-o]

I've been having issues with cramps and cyclical moodiness, (though no monthly horror, thank God) despite being on T for a year.  I'm currently waiting for the results of some blood tests to find out if my E levels are elevated. 

I'm wondering how many of you have experience with hormone blockers, in addition to T, what your experiences with them are, and which drugs you've been prescribed.  (Obviously, don't post dosages, as that's not allowed here.)  Did you start them at the same time you started T?  And if not, how much difference did it make for you with the hormone blockers vs without?

[Lachlann]

I started on hormone blockers since the beginning of my testosterone shots. It's called suprefact.

I can't really say what it's like being on it because I'm not sure what is from the T and what is from the hormone blocker.

[Aussie Jay]

I never even thought of blockers...

I too have the monthly cycling feeling, I'm only 6 months on T, I get the cramping and some of the emotional stuff that goes with it (even worse when due a shot at the same time!) But so many times I've been a little scared and expecting a visit from the red sister but thankfully like yourself have not experienced that for the better part of the 6 months now..

I always thought the blockers were only for younger guys like to stop their female puberty before it starts etc... Might have to look into this possibility. Lachlann I know ages etc are prohibited but are you at the younger end of the spectrum or??? Was it something you went and enquired about at the docs or is that standard practise for your GP/endo??

[Lachlann]

I'm 21, but I was 20 at the time when I was prescribed, so it had nothing to do with age. I know a transguy that lives close to me that's 30 and takes blockers as well, I think we have the same endo.

I haven't asked why yet, but from what I know, suprefact stops hormone production in the ovaries/testicles. It might simply be a way to get similar effects to a hysto, I'm not sure.

[Squirrel698]

Hmm, thanks for the information.  I never even considered hormone blockers.  I'm going to ask my doctor about Suprefact next time I see him.  This Wednesday in fact!  Eeeee for my first injection

[LordKAT]

I was never offered hormone blockers and maybe that is why the T caused trouble with my female parts. After my hysto, The T started doing some noticable work but now it seems to have taken a break again. I need to kick it in the booty.

[Miniar]

I had a single "administration" of a small implant thing of Zoladex, a hormone based cancer medication that shuts down the ovaries.

[Ryan]

I had a single "administration" of a small implant thing of Zoladex, a hormone based cancer medication that shuts down the ovaries.

I don't know much at all about hormone blockers, so stupid question, but do they only block the estrogen? Or do you need to then take a higher dose of T to counteract the blockers?

[Jude_]

Standard practice for my endo is to put her patients on an estrogen blocker before starting T. I was put on Lupron for 1 month before starting T. Then i stayed on it for my first month of T. So i was on it for 2 months total.
It essentially put me through menopause. I haven't gotten a period since then. Usually she keeps her patients on the Lupron for about 6 months while they're on a low dose of T, but i had some anxiety complications caused by the Lupron so she took me off of it early. Apparently if you're on Lupron for long enough, then your body eventually stops making the estrogen on its own (this is when used with testosterone). The two hormone levels don't have to "compete". The Lupron is really only effective when you're on a low dose of T, so when you're just starting out. Otherwise, there isn't much need for it because your T levels will be high enough to counteract the estrogen levels.
My endo is very young, and she is well versed in new ways of doing HRT.

Using estrogen blockers before starting T gave me a leg up on the changes.  My voice started dropping within a week or two, and many of the changes were excellerated.

[Miniar]

I don't know much at all about hormone blockers, so stupid question, but do they only block the estrogen? Or do you need to then take a higher dose of T to counteract the blockers?

Technically Zoladex doesn't block estrogen, it overloads the ovaries and causes them to shut down and stop producing estrogen.
So far, my T dose has been "normal" since, and I've not had any Estrogen related symptoms crop up on me.

[Lachlann]

I don't know much at all about hormone blockers, so stupid question, but do they only block the estrogen? Or do you need to then take a higher dose of T to counteract the blockers?

Like Miniar said, it just shuts the ovaries down. If you don't have testicles, then you don't have to worry about testosterone being blocked is how I understand it.

[Jamie-o]

Thank you, guys, for the info.  Now I have a starting point for talking with my doctor, once I find out what my E levels are doing.