Susan's Place Transgender Resources

I've read that once a a person with GID starts estrogen as a part of HRT, it is almost impossible to stop. Is there anyone who thought it would be a trial, but quickly found out estrogen was like giving a a martini to an alcoholic? Wish I could say I was scared. But the truth is I can't wait. I want to convince myself that hormones are not for me, but the truth is I'm so excited its hard for me to focus on anything else. I ask, because I don't want the hard path, but this is what I have been given. I have read things that say once you start estrogen, less than1.5% ever stop. Is it that good? Either way, I'm curious. Endo scheduled for next week.

that's not true...
a lot of people who thought they were trans get off of hormones right away when they get changes they didn't want.

people who are indeed gender dysphoric stay on them because it makes them happy, not because they're addicted.

I would not call it addictive. I can tell you I never want to stop taking it! but its a choice and not because I have to take it. I use to smoke so I know what its like to be addicted to something.  :)

well hey, if i don't take my lil blue pills, i'ma get withdrawal.  sounds like an addiction to me!

it's just not the classic kind of dopaminergic pathway dependency they teach you 'bout in physio. ;)

I think that addictive idea is because our brains have needed it all this time and never recieved it than when it gets that which has not been present its like OMG OMG OMG OMG AWEEEEESOMMMMEEE  kinda like a car with no gas, its doesnt go anywhere untill you give it the go-go juice :laugh:

Having been an addict, I can say I'm not addicted to E.. It's something I take in order to curb other issues - somewhat like an anti-depressant..

I wouldn't say it was addictive it just makes things so much better :) i feel a lot happier on hormones than i ever did when i was living as a guy

all I know is that my body and mind runs way better on E than on T.  No way I want to go back even though it complicates life immeasurably.

I wouldn't say addictive, but there are withdraw symptoms. I know for a fact because my doctor halved me dose. I have since had headaches, hot flashes, acne, random erections again, and feelings of worthlessness. Not fun.

I wonder if my own feelings of worthlessness will subside on E

I wouldn't say it's addictive.  But for me it was like seeing the world properly for the first time. I was calm, happier and the sensations and colours all seem to improve.  I'm sure a fair bit was due to knowing what I was doing, and been the nearest I have ever been to female.

However my original plan was to use it to control the dysphoria, and use it for short periods to lower the feelings of depression.  I never stopped taking the Estrogen, I serious could not go back in the dark, I have found my true self and she has to follow this path!

I have to agree with all those who have already commented. Addiction is not the right term here.  Unless one can be addicted to other essential substances, like air or water.

As others pointed out, starting HRT is often a great, practical litmus test for whether one is truly gender dysphoric or might be suffering from some other issue.  All I know for sure now is the profound sense of discomfort I feel from current exposure to testosterone at pre-HRT levels, but it makes a kind of profound sense to me that anyone who is deeply dysphoric, especially if one agrees that the cause is probably a prenatal change in brain structures, would tend to find a balance of hormones more in line with those of the gender one identifies with something that is profoundly comforting, helping to resolve so much of what many of us find disturbing without HRT.

When this sort of question arises, I often wind up thinking of Alan Turing, who was ordered to take estrogen by the courts. In his case, the consensus view is that it led pretty directly to his suicide, since he identified as a man whose only "defect" was his attraction to other men.

Quote from: Kelly the Trans-Rebel on February 28, 2013, 01:39:18 AM
Having been an addict, I can say I'm not addicted to E.. It's something I take in order to curb other issues - somewhat like an anti-depressant..

+1

I've been On-Off E a few times since my early 20's. Each time I started it was low dose with teh aim being to provide some sort of brain-reset. Something to help me get by operating under the pretense of being a male. It worked.

As others have said, I now realize it it is something I do need after spending decades in a semi-depressed state. While the past 3-4 years I've been on it have had it's up's and down's, I am so greatfull for the Up's  ;D. Even greatfull for the downs. I know I am alive, and not just some machine making the motions to make it through life. I learned all to well that that is no way to live

That is the main reason I'm starting hormones. A bit of control over the dysphoria and to stop living in my grey world.

Quote from: Samantha L on February 27, 2013, 10:22:13 PM
Is there anyone who thought it would be a trial...

Yes, I did. Since then I've been on again off again. Obviously I can't or don't (is there a difference?) want to stop taking them. In fact, if my circumstances were different, I'd never stop taking them.

As for whether or not they're addictive, well, they may be for you but not for me -- that's the fickle nature of addiction.

Kia Ora

Taking HRT may not be an  "addiction" as such, but one must admit it is a form of drug "dependency "  ;)

Metta Zenda :)

  Estrogen is usually non-dependent.  However, with the other things out there it could be an obsession caused by a mental state that is already there.  Also there is a time limit to taking estrogen, usually by a doctors prognoses plus your age.  Usually age 65 is the limit.  I got 5 years left. 

  Joelene

I came off estrogen for a month and half (on purpose) to see how I'd feel differently physically and mentally.  That was almost 2 years into taking hormones.  I didn't like some of the effects that came back, so is that withdrawal symptoms?!   I didn't like feeling so awake each nite - must have been the increase in energy that also meant i felt stronger physically.  I got dry sore eyes, but that was related to other things too.  What I didn't like was feeling emotionally "deader" if that is a description. 
I know I could have stayed off it, if I wanted to, so no personally I don't think it's addictive.  the pills taste nice under the tongue though  :P

Quote from: Joelene9 on March 01, 2013, 01:48:53 PM
  Estrogen is usually non-dependent.  However, with the other things out there it could be an obsession caused by a mental state that is already there.  Also there is a time limit to taking estrogen, usually by a doctors prognoses plus your age.  Usually age 65 is the limit.  I got 5 years left. 

  Joelene

Kia Ora Joelene,

::) I'm 'dependant' on estrogen...So in a sense it is a 'drug dependency' thing...I'm an estrogen junkie  ;)   ;D

Metta Zenda :)

Personally I can stop at any time. I am not addicted at all. Not in the least.

Precious precious estrogen.... ^-^

@Joelene9,

QuoteAlso there is a time limit to taking estrogen, usually by a doctors prognoses plus your age.  Usually age 65 is the limit.  I got 5 years left.

My Astronomer friend, please do not  tell me this is true, otherwise I am past the expiry date lol.

Jamie

JamieP
My first post - just to say I started low dose hormones at age 65; am now 66 - well past the expiry date? - now have, I guess, nice A cups - love them; and mentally feel so so so much better,
Andrea

Andrea,

Welcome, you have come to an amazing site and a supportive community, enjoy meeting new friends.

You jumped right in at the start, you are inspirational! Appreciate your comments and looking forward to the joys and positive results you are experiencing.

You should go to the introductions forum and I look forward to hearing your journey.
Cheers
Jamie

  I said usually.  This from the cis women reported higher incidences of breast and other reproductive cancers from HRT.  Males usually start female HRT past age 68 if the other testicular and prostate cancer treatments fail. Not many of them report breast cancer due to the shorter life span of those. If you start HRT young, under 35, the cutoff would usually be 65 due to the long duration on HRT.  We late transitioners may have the advantage of the later age as we may take longer for the effects to take place.  It took me more than 2 years to notice that if I take my hair out of the ponytail and let it rest on my shoulders, I look like a younger woman than my 60 years betray!  Finally!

  Joelene

for me its not addicting but stopping is moving backwards and well that is not an option.  TBH its frightening to get here and look back.  I have to stop for 2 months and yah it sux ill make it through it and yes i did have to give someone my hormones so i wont cave somewhere in between.  its not addictive but the changes and being yourself are.

I wouldn't call it a dependency either. I think for someone who is trans, it's just a medical requirement, just like any other medication on which your health actually depends (including mental health). I think that's of a completely different nature from a substance dependency, whether a psychological or a physical one.

Kia Ora,

Trans-women's body>Dependant on>Oestrogen>for Effects = "Dependency"

Are you dependant ? Or can you do without it ?

Think carefully before giving the addict's predictable answer which normally goes something like this "I can do without it, but ..........."  ;) ;D

Metta Zenda :)   

Quote from: Kuan Yin on March 22, 2013, 02:50:31 AM
Kia Ora,

Trans-women's body>Dependant on>Oestrogen>for Effects = "Dependency"

Are you dependant ? Or can you do without it ?

Think carefully before giving the addict's predictable answer which normally goes something like this "I can do without it, but ..........."  ;) ;D

Metta Zenda :)

That's quite a simplistic view..

Could I do without E? Yes. Do I want to? No..

I make a choice to take E, I could stop at any point. That's not a dependency..

Quote from: Kelly the Trans-Rebel on March 22, 2013, 03:06:55 AM
That's quite a simplistic view..

Could I do without E? Yes. Do I want to? No..

I make a choice to take E, I could stop at any point. That's not a dependency..

Kia Ora Kelly,

I admit it is a simplistic view but.........[Disregarding the surgeon's  scalpel] ....

Does ones body depend on the effects of Oestrogen to create the physical 'cross' gender appearance ?

I do know of some trans-women who don't feel the 'need' to take oestrogen, they are quite happy just 'dressing' the part...But from what I gather the vast majority can't wait to start it...

Metta Zenda :)

I can say right now because I am not taking it because of upcoming surgery ,I definately dont like it without it.

So could "I" survive without it? lol not very well and definately not for long, so yes I would say their is a dependency gained to it by being on it for a length of time, which usually happens with other drugs as well.

Addicting no I wouldnt say that, addiction is much worse than dependency in my opinion.

But I do supose it depends on a persons perspective, my perspective of addiction is you get so enthralled with whatever you are addicted to, and it makes you do anything to have it.

I was /am/still do have a couple addictions however I have gotten them under better control, but there was a time I would/did spend every penny I made to have it (it wasn't illegal drug), I even pawned stuff to get more for it,and after I had a big adreniline happy rush I always felt guilty like I did something wrong, definately not the same as becoming dependent on something.

Not really, although my emotions go a bit wonky if I don't keep on a reasonable schedule.  It's addictive, in a way, as you will get hot flashes if you stop for too long - not fun. :)