Community Conversation => Transitioning => Hormone replacement therapy => Topic started by: lightvi on April 11, 2014, 08:51:43 PM Return to Full Version

Title: Some drug clarification maybe
Post by: lightvi on April 11, 2014, 08:51:43 PM
Hi :)

I'm super excited as I just got back from the pharmacy where I picked up all my pills for the first time. Woo! I'll admit, I was nervous as hell.

So here's the thing. I seem to have acquired quite a few different meds...

Estradiol - Well, I know what this one is  :angel:
Spironolact - T-blocker?
Medroxypr - Um...  ???
Finasteride - Androgen blocker?

So all four of those is what they souped me up with today in my visit. I will research what these are on my own but I figured this would be a good source to ask to since you guys probably have experience with some of them. I know I should ask my doctor but I probably won't be able to until monday.

I just like to know what I'm putting in my body.. side effects and stuff. I'm a very "natural" oriented person so this is literally the first prescription I've ever gotten for myself. Maybe you can ease my mind. I'd greatly appreciate any insight. :)
Title: Re: Some drug clarification maybe
Post by: HoneyBunny on April 11, 2014, 09:06:17 PM
Quote from: lightvi on April 11, 2014, 08:51:43 PM
Hi :)

I'm super excited as I just got back from the pharmacy where I picked up all my pills for the first time. Woo! I'll admit, I was nervous as hell.

So here's the thing. I seem to have acquired quite a few different meds...

Estradiol - Well, I know what this one is  :angel:
Spironolact - T-blocker?
Medroxypr - Um...  ???
Finasteride - Androgen blocker?

So all four of those is what they souped me up with today in my visit. I will research what these are on my own but I figured this would be a good source to ask to since you guys probably have experience with some of them. I know I should ask my doctor but I probably won't be able to until monday.

I just like to know what I'm putting in my body.. side effects and stuff. I'm a very "natural" oriented person so this is literally the first prescription I've ever gotten for myself. Maybe you can ease my mind. I'd greatly appreciate any insight. :)

Hey, I will try to help you as best as i can without breaking the rules.

You know what estradiol is so I will first talk about spiro. Basically it blocks your T so you can take less estrogen; the two major side effects that it has is that it makes you pee a lot and lowers your blood pressure. Medroxypr is a progesterone and it is part of the natural cocktale of hormones ciswomen have in them. The effects on us transwomens though are debated. It is suggested it helps with breast growth though. My doctor told me that progesterone causes mood swings and depression which is why I am not suppose to start it until summer. Finasteride is a DHT blocker and it helps with hair regrowth, I am lucky to have a full head of hair, and  I never took it which makes me unable to speak about its side effects.
Title: Re: Some drug clarification maybe
Post by: lightvi on April 12, 2014, 01:37:38 AM
Thank you HoneyBunny. That is helpful. :)
Title: Re: Some drug clarification maybe
Post by: KayXo on April 15, 2014, 03:53:11 PM
Some girls report depression/anxiety/irritability from medroxyprogesterone acetate, it is somewhat androgenic and has been reported to have adverse effects on the vascular system as well as increasing breast cancer risk in natal women. Those side-effects are not observed with bio-identical progesterone (i.e. Prometrium).  In fact, progesterone appears to be anti-depressive and help reduce anxiety.