Susan's Place Transgender Resources

Has anyone else experienced brittle nails?  If so, what did you do about it (if anything)?

Mine have been super brittle lately and they never were before.  I'm almost 2 years into HRT so I thought most of the new experiences would be over by now but thought I'd ask.

Thanks!

I have brittle nails too. I am about 2 years 8 months on HRT. Eating avocado helps (for the oil). I keep my nails on the short side which helps.

I've been keeping mine short too, it's easier with my job and I seem to have no other choice lately.

I love avocado so maybe I'll try using them more often.  Thank you!

PROGESTERONE. You need progesterone as this will counter reduction in sebum (oil) production caused by less T and more E. I know of several transgirls through the years with the same problem and progesterone solved their problem on top of providing other benefits, at times, such as increased breast growth, better fat distribution, improved mood, skin/hair that suddenly stopped being dry, etc.

P + T =  increase oil and nail strength
E = decreases oil and nail strength

It's that simple.

Quote from: KayXo on March 05, 2016, 04:08:43 PM
PROGESTERONE. You need progesterone as this will counter reduction in sebum (oil) production caused by less T and more E. I know of several transgirls through the years with the same problem and progesterone solved their problem on top of providing other benefits, at times, such as increased breast growth, better fat distribution, improved mood, skin/hair that suddenly stopped being dry, etc.

P + T =  increase oil and nail strength
E = decreases oil and nail strength

It's that simple.

Ugh, I just had my 6 month checkup with my endo last week and asked about Progesterone.  Not for this reason but for the other reasons you mention.  He wasn't very keen on prescribing it and is of the mind that the risks outweigh the benefits.  I hadn't thought to ask specifically for it to use to combat brittle nails.

Currently I'm not scheduled to be back in to him for another 6 months (so long as my bloodwork comes back ok) but maybe I could call and speak to his nurse about it and possibly a follow up appointment.

Quote from: Emjay on March 05, 2016, 04:19:51 PM
He wasn't very keen on prescribing it and is of the mind that the risks outweigh the benefits.

LOL. Here we go again. What risks? He's probably thinking of the progestogen in the WHI study of 2003, medroxyprogesterone acetate which is a different molecule and has different effects on the body apart from the progestogenic effect. I will send you a document highlighting the benefits and studies that support the use of progesterone in ciswomen and transwomen. Progesterone is quite safe. Remind your doctor that ciswomen produce significant amounts during the second phase of every menstrual cycle and VERY high amounts during pregnancy, up to 200-300 ng/ml, of which some enters the placenta and affects the fetus. Progesterone is even prescribed to pregnant women to avoid miscarriage and pre-term labor.

My nails were brittle even before HRT.  Progesterone and biotin have helped some but they still break a lot.


Sapere Aude

There are supplements available which are a combination of biotin and zinc.
You might give it a try ...
the additional zinc is supposed to help with nails.


*hugs*

Quote from: Laura_7 on March 05, 2016, 05:11:13 PM
There are supplements available which are a combination of biotin and zinc.
You might give it a try ...
the additional zinc is supposed to help with nails.


*hugs*

I do take Biotin now and have for about a year and a half.  I haven't taken zinc though, I'll take a look at it.  Thanks!

Quote from: Emjay on March 05, 2016, 05:20:17 PM
I do take Biotin now and have for about a year and a half.  I haven't taken zinc though, I'll take a look at it.  Thanks!

I have tried it and for me it made a difference.

There are zinc products available seperately and as a combination with biotin.


hugs

I understood that zinc is supposed to raise testosterone?


Sapere Aude

Quote from: Deborah on March 05, 2016, 06:10:56 PM
I understood that zinc is supposed to raise testosterone?


Sapere Aude

Yes it does.
So use it sparingly.
Kays idea with progesterone might be a better hint if testo levels are not really low (post op people for example).
Just talk it through with your doc.

*hugs*

Quote from: Laura_7 on March 05, 2016, 06:32:35 PM
Yes it does.
So use it sparingly.
Kays idea with progesterone might be a better hint if testo levels are not really low (post op people for example).
Just talk it through with your doc.

*hugs*

I've been on progesterone since I started.  I'm not sure of my T levels right now but my next test is this week.

Quote from: Deborah on March 05, 2016, 06:34:35 PM
I've been on progesterone since I started.

We've had this discussion before. I suspect you're not taking enough of it to counter brittle nails. Have you checked levels 12 hours after last taking?

They haven't been testing for that on my previous visits.  When I go to the endo this week I am going to ask about increasing the dosage now that I have gotten my blood pressure consistently in the normal range, below 120/80.


Sapere Aude

Quote from: Deborah on March 05, 2016, 10:05:39 PM
They haven't been testing for that on my previous visits.  When I go to the endo this week I am going to ask about increasing the dosage now that I have gotten my blood pressure consistently in the normal range, below 120/80.

Progesterone is not a contraindication in individuals with high blood pressure. It can even prove to be beneficial. It exerts an antimineralocorticoid action, similar to spironolactone.

Climacteric. 2012 Apr;15 Suppl 1:11-7

"Micronized progesterone has a neutral effect on the vasculature, including a neutral or beneficial effect on blood pressure"

Climacteric. 2011 Feb;14(1):92-9.

"When micronized progesterone was added to the CEE treatment, the increase in daytime blood pressure in the group with normal blood pressure was abolished, and the decrease in systolic blood pressure throughout the day in the group with high blood pressure was potentiated. "

"Micronized progesterone may provide beneficial effects on blood pressure when combined with CEE."

Biol Psychol. 2005 Apr;69(1):39-56.

"Results showed that women assigned to Estratab plus Prometrium and Estratest had diminished systolic blood pressure responses to stress upon retesting, whereas the other groups did not change in the level of their responses. Women assigned to Estratab plus Prometrium had diminished diastolic blood pressure responses during a speech stressor upon retesting"

Climacteric, 8 (Suppl. 1) (2005), pp. 3–63

"Oral treatment (...) led to a dose-dependent decrease in blood pressure221"

Clin Ther. 1999 Jan;21(1):41-60; discussion 1-2.

"The results of published clinical studies show minimal or no changes in lipid profile, blood pressure, or carbohydrate metabolism during treatment with oral micronized progesterone.28"

Lipids Health Dis. 2012 Oct 9;11:133.

"Blood pressure, glucose, insulin, HDL-c, triglycerides, and usCRP remained constant with or without micronized progesterone."

PLoS One. 2014 Jan 21;9(1)

"Results indicate that progesterone has short-term cardiovascular safety. Endothelial function, weight, bloodpressure, waist circumference, inflammation and coagulation were unchanged as were lipids except for HDL-C. The statistically significant decrease in HDL-C levels was not clinically important"

J Hypertens. 2003 Jun;21(6):1145-9.

"We conclude that progesterone given without oestrogen does not adversely affect vascular function in postmenopausal women."

Climacteric. 2013 Aug;16 Suppl 1:44-53.

"Natural, 'body-identical' progesterone, devoid of any androgenic as well as glucocorticoid activities but being slightly hypotensive due to its antimineralocorticoid activity, appears to be the optimal progestogen in terms of cardiovascular effects, blood pressure, VTE, probably stroke and even breast cancer"

Natural Progesterone: What Role in Women's Health Care?
Whether it's right for your patient depends on the specific setting
JANE L. MURRAY, MD

"Micronized progesterone appears to achieve this effect without producing any adverse effects on hemostasis, blood pressure, or levels of other lipids, probably because it has virtually no androgenic side effects."

Endocrine Reviews, April 2013, 34(2):171–208

"Interestingly, no changes were observed in blood pressure with progesterone administration
to normotensive postmenopausal women, although a slight reduction in blood pressure was observed in hypertensive women (198)."

I take promethium orally each night and I do not know if they helped with my nails. I am eating more protein so perhaps that is helping and iron supplements. I also switched to OPI nail polish, base, 3 layers of color and a top coat. I think that has helped or at least looks good :)