what do hormone blockers do?

[Everyone]

Do you have to have them before you start T? If not, why do some people use them before they start T?

[Flan]

before T? no
those who do use it mostly use to stop puberty if still in progress (instead of waiting for T to do its magic).

[Miniar]

Hormone blockers for Estrogen are few. They aim to stop, or grossly reduce, the production of Estrogen in the ovaries.

Now, I did get a blocker just prior to starting Testosterone myself.
I got an implant which is typically given as a part of hormone-related-cancer-medication (breast cancer, prostate cancer, etcetera) and it works by overloading the system in charge of regulating hormone production in the ovaries and testes.
This meant that I didn't have to wait for Testosterone to work it's magic and shut down the reproductive parts and so I haven't had a period since I got that implant and it only lasted three months (and it's been over a year since I started Testosterone).

I can not remember the name of the implant I got but I do remember the price.
Due to it being classified as a cancer medication it was fully covered by the Icelandic single payer system, but I did get a receipt for it none the less. I had to pay 0 out of eighty thousand Icelandic krónur (680 american dollars, 425 british pounds, 507 euro).
It may be at least a part of the reason why most trans-men don't get blockers, or at least not this one.
It is not cheap!

[Troy58]

It seems a little unnecessary to me, but some guys are impatient (which is okay- they've waited their whole lives to go on T). Basically, they do exactly as they sound: block the hormones in production and make changes take place faster once the blockers wear off and T is started. With the cost, I personally would much rather just take the T.

[Sean]

Do you have to have them before you start T? If not, why do some people use them before they start T?

Most guys don't take blockers before T.

My doctor and a number of others believe that it is better for guys to take a blocker before starting T, even if you are post-puberty. It wipes out the body's estrogen prior to introducing T. As a result, you eliminate the menstrual cycle before T, and you also can get better effects from a lower dose of T starting out. It also makes it easier to identify the source of bleeding, complications or side effects that may arise after starting T.

As Minair said though, it's not cheap.

[Miniar]

Also, Testosterone "is" a reasonably effective Estrogen blocker as it does shut down the Estrogen production, though it May take a fair bit longer than other blockers. So... It's usually not necessary at all to take E blockers.

[Jessica B]

     A hormone blocker (or interferer) is a broad range of drugs and enzymes, typically what they do is interfere with the process of your native hormone production, or they disable the receptors in your body which the hormones bind to.

     Hormones work like keys, they fit into locks in your cells.  A blocker can block part of the lock effectively gluing the lock shut.

      Blockers can also disable the chain of events which must occur during hormone production (native) keeping it simple glands in your brain will release hormones (GnRH, LH and FSH)  which will order your body to produce Test. in a male for example.  Once this occurs some blockers can disable this process or simply limit it, ergo your body produces less Test. 

      A common Test blocker is Spironolactone, which binds to androgen (or hormone) receptors blocking "key" which then in term prevents the body from reacting with Dihydrotestosterone a very potent form of Test. produced in the male body via the Testies.
 
     If you would like information on female hormone blockers I can go ahead and open a book and read it out for you or try to explain it, however I have to admit it has been a while since I got out of physiology!

      Respectfully,
      -Violet

[Robert F.]

I hate to ask questions in your thread, but Violet seems to know more about blockers than I can find on Google. If I take estrogen blockers before puberty ends and my bones fuse, is it possible I could grow taller without T?

[Robert Scott]

I hate to ask questions in your thread, but Violet seems to know more about blockers than I can find on Google. If I take estrogen blockers before puberty ends and my bones fuse, is it possible I could grow taller without T?

I don't know how old you are or how out you are to your parents ... however, in the USA the common form of blockers is birth control ... so you can go to your doctor and ask to be on birth control and tell him/her that you want your period to stop.  I know Depo is an injection you can get and is commonly used for transmen.  You can also take the pills and skip the week of sugar pills.

I know it's common practice for kids to be given hormone blockers ---- I belong to a parents group and a lot of the 10-15 year old transboys are on hormone blockers.  I also know that here in Minnesota in the parents support group I belong too most of the kids under 12 are given hormone blockers and then start T around 15-16

[Lee11]

Using birth control pills as a way to stop your period is not a good idea...it will most certainly lead to female pattern weight gain in areas you do not want it...on the other hand you have also to be careful with estrogen blockers as they remove all estrogen and you need SOME for bone health, hair and libido...
I would stick with T unless you are using blockers for a short time only to treat a specific issue of concern i.e. female fat distribution..
T always gets the job done it's just a matter of hitting the right dose for your body....

[Jessica B]

   I'm sorry I haven't been able to reply to this post in more detail another 17 hour day here >.<.  I should have some more free time tomorrow to help you with a detailed answer.

    Respectfully. (and exhausted!)
    -Violet