Community Conversation => Transitioning => Hormone replacement therapy => Topic started by: SammyHatesGreenEggs on July 14, 2018, 06:09:56 PM Return to Full Version

Title: Is progesterone safe and useful?
Post by: SammyHatesGreenEggs on July 14, 2018, 06:09:56 PM
Hi all!

Recently, my endocrinologist suggested I add progesterone to my existing regimen of estradiol and bicalutamide.

Doing some basic google searching, it seems there are a lot of potential side effects with possibly no benefit.  Did I happen to miss the more positive articles about it?  I can't imagine I would be prescribed it if that was the case (my endo works with a lot of transgender people).

Thanks for any advice!
Title: Re: Is progesterone safe and useful?
Post by: mako9802 on July 14, 2018, 06:16:14 PM
It depends....In my situation  I have been taking progesterone since the beginning of this process.  I recently decided to take a break.  And geez have my girls woke up since stopping progesterone.  I even lactate now.....
Title: Re: Is progesterone safe and useful?
Post by: Dena on July 14, 2018, 06:34:14 PM
Medroxyprogesterone acetate seems to have more side effects than bio identical Progestrone. On the other hand, medroxyprogesterone acetate is dirt cheap so it's often prescribed. Effects seem to be minimal though some have indicated it helps fill out the breasts. It can make you horny and hungry so those are two side effects to beware of. I am not sure it's that beneficial however talk it over with your doctor as I am not all that experienced with it.
Title: Re: Is progesterone safe and useful?
Post by: SammyHatesGreenEggs on July 14, 2018, 07:21:52 PM
I guess the good news is that I was prescribed the bioidentical version (prometrium).

While breast growth is nice, hungry and horny are two of my least favorite feelings right now.  And interesting observation by mako9802.
Title: Re: Is progesterone safe and useful?
Post by: Ellement_of_Freedom on July 14, 2018, 08:43:15 PM
Let me know how it goes please! I'm thinking of starting it this year myself.
Title: Re: Is progesterone safe and useful?
Post by: Drexy/Drex on July 14, 2018, 10:26:16 PM
I've been using the acetate version.....I have.noticed up top gets more tender
Title: Re: Is progesterone safe and useful?
Post by: epvanbeveren on July 14, 2018, 10:44:43 PM
I can not answer the medical side affect part of your question, only my experience.

I started in 2015 with spironolactone and estradiol pills. I lost my libido and a couple of months later my endocrinologist added medroxyprogesterone acetate pills on my request. My libido returned, not in a annoying way but easy to manage/control kind of way.

Not sure if it help the growth of my breast, or the shape of them.

After my GRS my endocrinologist cut my medroxyprogesterone dosage in fourth. So I am only taking a little bit. Still feeling okay in the libido department.

I did change from estradiol pills to injections over a year ago, and since that puts me in a miniature cycle, I am not sure if that is contributing to the libido part.
Title: Re: Is progesterone safe and useful?
Post by: TonyaW on July 14, 2018, 11:21:06 PM
At my one year HRT checkup my doctor prescribed me the medroxyprogesterone as a daily dose.  I took it for 2 months and then stopped as it was making  me depressed.  Did not notice any increase in the hornies or the hungriest. I did have some breast growth at the time, but no way of knowing if that was the medroxyprogesterone or would have happened anyway.
My next appt was 2 months after I had stopped.  I asked about taking it on a cycle, just for the first 10 days of each month as was often prescribed postmenopausal cis women.  I didnt start having any issues until I had been on it for 6 weeks, so thought it might not cause the problems if I only take it for 10 days at a time. So far been ok after 2 cycles. I have enough pills left for one more cycle so will make a decision after that whether to keep on with the cycle dosing. 

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Title: Re: Is progesterone safe and useful?
Post by: Doreen on July 15, 2018, 08:23:18 AM
Quote from: AshleyP on July 15, 2018, 01:57:21 AM
I have taken both MPA and generic Prometrium. My original endo prescribed a moderately high dosage, taken daily, after about three months on spiro and oral estradiol. I took it for a couple of months, stopped for a period, then restared. I took it for about six more months before changing to a different endo. I didn't notice any impact on libido, appetite or moods. If anything, it seemed to make my boobs swell more, particularly in the mornings.

About a year into HT and with a different endo, I switched to IM estradiol and dropped MPA. Then three months later, we added the generic Prometrium. Shortly afterward, I did notice some changes, albeit all slight. My faced seem to get a little more oily; my libido improved; my body hair, although much thinner, lighter and finer than pre-HT, seemed to grow a little faster. I noticed no impact on moods or appetite.

I wanted to make a change to my HT regimen because it seemed my development had stalled after about six months. I also found on oral estradiol (taken SL), I had sky-high levels levels of estrone when estrodiol levels approached 100 pg/mL.

After about seven months on IM estradiol and four months progesterone, my breast development has been remarkable. The projection isn't that much different, about 4" bust vs. band, but the fullness is really noticeable. Of course I can't say that wouldn't have happened on the old regimen or without adding the progesterone.

I will say that I spent six months disappointed with stalled development and have experienced four months delighted with my renewed development.

Hope this helps,
AshleyP

My breasts developed on bio-identical progesterone better as well.   I actually take it because ... its hard to explain but if I'm on HRT estrogen I have to be on progesterone unless told otherwise at this point.  My only side effects are drowsiness and feeling a bit drunk after taking it at night. 
Title: Re: Is progesterone safe and useful?
Post by: Mary1 on July 16, 2018, 12:23:04 AM
Quote from: TonyaW on July 14, 2018, 11:21:06 PM
At my one year HRT checkup my doctor prescribed me the medroxyprogesterone as a daily dose.  I took it for 2 months and then stopped as it was making  me depressed.  Did not notice any increase in the hornies or the hungriest. I did have some breast growth at the time, but no way of knowing if that was the medroxyprogesterone or would have happened anyway.
My next appt was 2 months after I had stopped.  I asked about taking it on a cycle, just for the first 10 days of each month as was often prescribed postmenopausal cis women.  I didnt start having any issues until I had been on it for 6 weeks, so thought it might not cause the problems if I only take it for 10 days at a time. So far been ok after 2 cycles. I have enough pills left for one more cycle so will make a decision after that whether to keep on with the cycle dosing. 

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Please reconsider. I still feel and believe there are emotional effects.







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