Community Conversation => Transitioning => Hormone replacement therapy => Topic started by: paxi1334 on November 15, 2013, 10:19:17 AM Return to Full Version
Title: Do I need to continue AA's post-op?
Post by: paxi1334 on November 15, 2013, 10:19:17 AM
Post by: paxi1334 on November 15, 2013, 10:19:17 AM
I am hoping that someone here can help clarify this for me - do I need to continue AA's post-op? I have read differing information on differing websites - some have stated that it takes around 3 yrs of combined AA/E therapy in order to complete the process - others have stated that after one becomes post-op, the need to have AAs is eliminated in that process & is therefore unnecessary.
Here's my history: after years of social transition & electrolysis, I began taking Finasteride and Estradiol and then, after three months of combined AA/E use, I had a bilateral orchiectomy. Before surgery, insurance covered the Finasteride and I paid for the Estradiol. After surgery, I changed my legal name / gender marker and then insurance covered Estradiol but not Finasteride which meant that I simply didn't use it and only used Estradiol. Now, I'm looking back on my transition journey and wondering if I should have continued using an AA and even if I should be using one now. I used Finasteride because I had an allergic reaction to Spiro (which caused difficulty breathing). Is this still a need? Or since this has all been years ago by now (after the orchie, I ended up having SRS in 2009) should I just forget about AA's and keep Estradiol as monotherapy?
Here's my history: after years of social transition & electrolysis, I began taking Finasteride and Estradiol and then, after three months of combined AA/E use, I had a bilateral orchiectomy. Before surgery, insurance covered the Finasteride and I paid for the Estradiol. After surgery, I changed my legal name / gender marker and then insurance covered Estradiol but not Finasteride which meant that I simply didn't use it and only used Estradiol. Now, I'm looking back on my transition journey and wondering if I should have continued using an AA and even if I should be using one now. I used Finasteride because I had an allergic reaction to Spiro (which caused difficulty breathing). Is this still a need? Or since this has all been years ago by now (after the orchie, I ended up having SRS in 2009) should I just forget about AA's and keep Estradiol as monotherapy?
Title: Re: Do I need to continue AA's post-op?
Post by: Danielle Emmalee on November 15, 2013, 10:20:37 AM
Post by: Danielle Emmalee on November 15, 2013, 10:20:37 AM
I think you should ask your doctor.
Title: Re: Do I need to continue AA's post-op?
Post by: LordKAT on November 15, 2013, 10:23:42 AM
Post by: LordKAT on November 15, 2013, 10:23:42 AM
The AAs would not be needed as the T makers are gone so no need to suppress it.
Title: Re: Do I need to continue AA's post-op?
Post by: paxi1334 on November 15, 2013, 10:36:06 AM
Post by: paxi1334 on November 15, 2013, 10:36:06 AM
Quote from: Orange Creamsicle on November 15, 2013, 10:20:37 AM
I think you should ask your doctor.
My current doctors, PCP and OB/GYN are totally clueless regarding trans issues & fit into the "we're 100% supportive of you, but we actually have no clue" category - as such they just handle any/all of these issues exactly the way they would for a post-menopausal woman. Well, at least I don't get stigmatized by my providers. Due to my physical changes & legal changes, I'm totally on my own for anything/everything that would fall into the category of "men's health"... be that AA's, prostate exams, etc.
(a good deal of my current situation is my own fault for being impulsive in transition and disregarding the standards of care)
Title: Re: Do I need to continue AA's post-op?
Post by: paxi1334 on November 15, 2013, 10:51:11 AM
Post by: paxi1334 on November 15, 2013, 10:51:11 AM
Quote from: LordKAT on November 15, 2013, 10:23:42 AM
The AAs would not be needed as the T makers are gone so no need to suppress it.
Ok, so I should just leave AAs in the past?
Title: Re: Do I need to continue AA's post-op?
Post by: Nicolette on November 15, 2013, 10:51:35 AM
Post by: Nicolette on November 15, 2013, 10:51:35 AM
Quote from: paxi1334 on November 15, 2013, 10:19:17 AM
.......should I just forget about AA's and keep Estradiol as monotherapy?
Correct. There is no sense continuing with AAs. Well, as much sense as a post-menopausal cis-woman taking them. Estradiol must continue, however, for bone health and maintaining fat distribution.