HB's other type of transsexual (Estrogen panacea)

[Just Kate]

Strangest thing is happening in my life.

Many of my important relationships fell apart.
I lost my financial stability.
I had a loved one utterly betray me and break my heart.

The strangest thing?  No GID problems at all during all that time.  Normally any ONE of those things would have been enough to take me down into the depths of dysphoria oriented depression.

Well things have calmed down quite a bit and you know what?  No GID problems now either.  It has been over three months and no GID activity, not even the low intensity hum that normally sits in the background even when I'm not under attack.

So what's different?  I started estrogen therapy Mar 1.  I must admit, I didn't expect this to the result of my HRT, in fact, I can hardly believe it now - I keep looking for other explanations.  I even went off HRT for a few weeks and the low intensity hum came back until I restarted.

I really cannot explain it, but I'm pleased as punch!  I have been able to live happily as a male - and it has been made possible (potentially) by taking estrogen.  The irony doesn't escape me.

I read about some of Harry Benjamin's transsexuals whom he discovered showed remarkable improvement in their GID when put on HRT only and so he didn't recommend them for full transition.  Little is known about these people because (presumably) they fell off the radar after receiving treatment. 

Perhaps I fit this model, and while it seems incredibly inexplicable to me, I'm very happy.  I didn't realize how much time and energy of mine was wasted and sucked away by the pain and distress of GID until now - it is amazing to me.  The skeptic in me however is waiting for the other shoe to drop lol!

[Janet_Girl]

Interesting, interalia.  It may very well could be.  Whatever can help you cope.

[glendagladwitch]

I saw another thread here recently about this linking a paper about a theory.  Basically, it was that the MTF transgendered only experience dysphoria while they have high testosterone levels.  If that is the case, it seems like anti-androgens alone would do the trick, but then the body needs some kind of steroid to stay healthy.  So estrogen is necessary.

[jillblum]

Wow If Dr. Frankenstein could see us now! It's just amazing that we as a society even figured out what hormones are and understand bascially how they work.
I talked to my therapist about that phenom. She thought some may be experiencing such an intense relief caused by the act of taking a major step towards feminization. A rapid lowering the pressure of GID so dramatic that nothing else matters. Including transition.
Regardless, I'm stoked for you cause you feel good!!! That's what life is all about. We aren't defined by our gender any more than we are our orientation. Whatever skin your in if it feels right...Congrats!

[BunnyBee]

I saw another thread here recently about this linking a paper about a theory.  Basically, it was that the MTF transgendered only experience dysphoria while they have high testosterone levels.  If that is the case, it seems like anti-androgens alone would do the trick, but then the body needs some kind of steroid to stay healthy.  So estrogen is necessary.

I think this might be the thread you are thinking of :
https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,78446.html

Interalia, it doesn't surprise me one bit that hormones helped you and I'm glad for you if they help enough for you to live life the way you want to.  They helped with my GID tremendously, but not enough for me to be able to stop there, but that's me and not you.

[Shana A]

Perhaps I fit this model, and while it seems incredibly inexplicable to me, I'm very happy.  I didn't realize how much time and energy of mine was wasted and sucked away by the pain and distress of GID until now - it is amazing to me.  The skeptic in me however is waiting for the other shoe to drop lol!

Interalia,

I'm glad to hear that things are better for you!

This is fascinating, and seems to show evidence of something that I've believed to be true for a long time; which is that all trans people have feelings of dysphoria, but at differing levels of intensity. Thus some TS really do need to "transition or die", whereas others might be able to manage by occasional cross dressing or HRT, without living full time in gender of choice.

Z

[glendagladwitch]

I think this might be the thread you are thinking of :
https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,78446.html

Interalia, it doesn't surprise me one bit that hormones helped you and I'm glad for you if they help enough for you to live life the way you want to.  They helped with my GID tremendously, but not enough for me to be able to stop there, but that's me and not you.

Yes, that's the one.  Thank-you.  It has a link to this paper:

http://www.avitale.com/TNote15Testosterone.htm

[spacial]

Interalia.

I am really sorry to hear that things have been so crappy for you recently.

Take care.

[jilledwards]

I have been on low doses of spiro and estrogen for many years now and it worked for me pretty much the same way as you are until just reciently. It made my gid less in the fore ground. Its is always there just much quieter most of the time. I think of that part of the brain like being a car engine. Put the wrong gas in it and it will probably run but not very well. Estrogen is giving that part of the brain what it is looking for (the right gas) and when it gets it, it runs better.

[cynthialee]

I think of that part of the brain like being a car engine. Put the wrong gas in it and it will probably run but not very well. Estrogen is giving that part of the brain what it is looking for (the right gas) and when it gets it, it runs better.

I love this analogy and use it often myself. I am suposed to be burning premium not regular.

[Fencesitter]

I read about some of Harry Benjamin's transsexuals whom he discovered showed remarkable improvement in their GID when put on HRT only and so he didn't recommend them for full transition.  Little is known about these people because (presumably) they fell off the radar after receiving treatment.

I read about  this as well in his book and was shocked that this solution is not mentioned in the SOCs or (almost) anywhere else. And many shrinks expect you to transition socially first before you get hormones. We're a bunch of different people with different personalities and lifestyles, plus GID is different for each of us as well, so one path for all just doesn't work. Benjamin was much more open-minded than most "specialists" are nowadays, and he was very ahead of his time.

I am very happy for you that you found a solution for yourself, be it temporary or final.

[Asfsd4214]

And many shrinks expect you to transition socially first before you get hormones.

Furthering my theory that many shrinks are idiot control freaks. I dumped the first two I saw for trying that, one of the very first session.

[Silver]

That's rather interesting.

Sympathies for your other problems, but I am glad the incessant irritant that is GID is calming down for you. You deserve some peace.

[Eva Marie]

I think this might be the thread you are thinking of :
https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,78446.html

Very interesting.....

[shayna_lynn]

I'm  pre-op, but I found this article very interesting. I was diagnosed with epilepsy, when I  was 13, but after starting transition and hormones, my seizure activity stopped. I'm now off meds and have my driving privileges back for good. After this happened, I did some research, and found that female hormones of various types are being used to to treat brain injuries in both sexes, and that those that receive them do far better than those that don't.