Community Conversation => Transitioning => Hormone replacement therapy => Topic started by: tiger on November 27, 2009, 08:15:04 PM Return to Full Version
Title: Anti-androgens and body hair
Post by: tiger on November 27, 2009, 08:15:04 PM
Post by: tiger on November 27, 2009, 08:15:04 PM
I've been on a low dose of E for about 5mo. I've noticed quite a few changes to my body such as softer skin, testicle reduction in size as well a best tenderness and growth, as well as all of the mental and emotional effects
I've got a Dr's appointment next moth and I'm wondering about asking him about talking Finasteride or Spironolactone. (T Blockers) At this point I'm looking for body hair reduction on in my case body fur reduction. Taking estrogen has done nothing in this area.
Will taking anti-adrogens typically reduce body fur?
I've got a Dr's appointment next moth and I'm wondering about asking him about talking Finasteride or Spironolactone. (T Blockers) At this point I'm looking for body hair reduction on in my case body fur reduction. Taking estrogen has done nothing in this area.
Will taking anti-adrogens typically reduce body fur?
Title: Re: Anti-androgens and body hair
Post by: Janet_Girl on November 27, 2009, 08:29:15 PM
Post by: Janet_Girl on November 27, 2009, 08:29:15 PM
The only thing I found that works for the hair thing, is a razor. I have been on Spiro for 18 months and still have some, even though it is finer. Now I shall see if it will be less after My Orchie.
Janet
Janet
Title: Re: Anti-androgens and body hair
Post by: Dana_W on November 27, 2009, 10:40:46 PM
Post by: Dana_W on November 27, 2009, 10:40:46 PM
I've been on spiro for about a year, and estrogen for about three months. I didn't notice a lot of body hair reduction from the spiro. Mostly just slowing the rate of growth. However the added estrogen seems to be having an effect. My arms and hands and feet have lost hair, and much of what is left is coming in very fine and light. It's not all like that... but I'd say more than 50% of what used to be there is either gone or now so light and fine I don't need it to be gone. And I believe I'm starting to see something similar on the chest, but I'm not 100% sure that's not just wishful thinking yet.
Anyway, this is one of those frustrating "your mileage may vary" issues. Good luck!
Anyway, this is one of those frustrating "your mileage may vary" issues. Good luck!
Title: Re: Anti-androgens and body hair
Post by: Hannah on November 27, 2009, 10:57:48 PM
Post by: Hannah on November 27, 2009, 10:57:48 PM
It's pretty much thinned or disappeared from the neck down and what's left is really fine. There's the odd stray but it's clear their days are numbered. I feel kinda wasteful now because I got impatient and had a tiny, barely noticable patch lasered off my back. *shudder* Just writing it is traumatic, eeeew.
The antiandrogens are certainly worth it, you might think about asking for both :)
The antiandrogens are certainly worth it, you might think about asking for both :)
Title: Re: Anti-androgens and body hair
Post by: Tammy Hope on November 27, 2009, 11:15:29 PM
Post by: Tammy Hope on November 27, 2009, 11:15:29 PM
this question always is on my mind because I'm in the "fur" category as well.
I try to process it like this (acknowledging the obvious face that all this pertains to "neck down" hair):
1. All GGs have to shave legs and underarms, and obviously have genital hair so those are "off the table" in terms of hair "going away" - although obviously in the former two, you want girl hair and not guy hair;
2. Most girls have some sort of body hair in other places, although since we have to compensate a bit more for other "maleish" features we can't aford as much as your typical GG. That said, I - and i think most of us - would be perfectly okay with some light fine "girl hair" in the places where it might appear on any GG (like arms for instance);
3. using the foregoing points as context then, when I ask "what will HRT do for body hair" I'm asking about that ugly disgusting crap that's not covered under the two points above. As in on my chest and back and shoulders.
Specifically, I know that my epilation torture will make the hair thinner and finer and I'm given to understand that IF you are blessed to have HRT reduce body hair, it's most likely to do so first or most dramatically in those places where a GG is most unlikely to have prominent hair (is that actually true?)
Thus my curiosity is summed up thusly - between epilation and HRT, is it going to be possible for me to achieve at least a "normal" (for a typical GG) level of body hair without laser/electrolysis?
Or at least, will it be reduced in that direction enough that I can wait it out for a few years of HRT to get a clear picture of what will and won't "go away"?
Am I being confusing?
I try to process it like this (acknowledging the obvious face that all this pertains to "neck down" hair):
1. All GGs have to shave legs and underarms, and obviously have genital hair so those are "off the table" in terms of hair "going away" - although obviously in the former two, you want girl hair and not guy hair;
2. Most girls have some sort of body hair in other places, although since we have to compensate a bit more for other "maleish" features we can't aford as much as your typical GG. That said, I - and i think most of us - would be perfectly okay with some light fine "girl hair" in the places where it might appear on any GG (like arms for instance);
3. using the foregoing points as context then, when I ask "what will HRT do for body hair" I'm asking about that ugly disgusting crap that's not covered under the two points above. As in on my chest and back and shoulders.
Specifically, I know that my epilation torture will make the hair thinner and finer and I'm given to understand that IF you are blessed to have HRT reduce body hair, it's most likely to do so first or most dramatically in those places where a GG is most unlikely to have prominent hair (is that actually true?)
Thus my curiosity is summed up thusly - between epilation and HRT, is it going to be possible for me to achieve at least a "normal" (for a typical GG) level of body hair without laser/electrolysis?
Or at least, will it be reduced in that direction enough that I can wait it out for a few years of HRT to get a clear picture of what will and won't "go away"?
Am I being confusing?
Title: Re: Anti-androgens and body hair
Post by: CharleneT on November 27, 2009, 11:34:13 PM
Post by: CharleneT on November 27, 2009, 11:34:13 PM
My HRT includes EV, Spiro (very low dose), Avodart and Prometrium ( but only 3 days out of 7). The result includes a great reduction in the thickness of my body hair. To me it "seems" like there is a lot "less", but really it is more of a chg in texture. It is also a touch lighter in color. The real kicker here is that the HRT won't reduce much about facial hair, hence you'll end up having it removed....
BUT remember, all people have about the same amount of hair follicles, men just have heavier hair. Even though it seems impossible, a baby has the same number of hair follicles as it will have at the onset of puberty.
BUT remember, all people have about the same amount of hair follicles, men just have heavier hair. Even though it seems impossible, a baby has the same number of hair follicles as it will have at the onset of puberty.
Title: Re: Anti-androgens and body hair
Post by: Tammy Hope on November 28, 2009, 12:05:37 AM
Post by: Tammy Hope on November 28, 2009, 12:05:37 AM
shouldn't that be "the same amount of follicles per square inch"?
After all, they don't have the same amount of skin at birth....
After all, they don't have the same amount of skin at birth....
Title: Re: Anti-androgens and body hair
Post by: tiger on November 28, 2009, 09:37:09 AM
Post by: tiger on November 28, 2009, 09:37:09 AM
I understand the limits of HRT. I'll still have hair on my face and genitals, at least until i get my face lasered.
I was mostly concerned about my chest, back and arms.
My legs seem to do well with shaving and epilation. I've tried it on the chest and belly and couldn't take the pain.
I was mostly concerned about my chest, back and arms.
My legs seem to do well with shaving and epilation. I've tried it on the chest and belly and couldn't take the pain.
Title: Re: Anti-androgens and body hair
Post by: CharleneT on November 28, 2009, 05:08:20 PM
Post by: CharleneT on November 28, 2009, 05:08:20 PM
Quote from: Laura Hope on November 28, 2009, 12:05:37 AM
shouldn't that be "the same amount of follicles per square inch"?
After all, they don't have the same amount of skin at birth....
B I N G O !! YEW are very right !! OOoopppssss.....
Title: Re: Anti-androgens and body hair
Post by: Myself on November 29, 2009, 06:59:12 AM
Post by: Myself on November 29, 2009, 06:59:12 AM
I heard a lot about how body hair should pretty much diminish. Not sure how true it is (I barely had body hair pre-HRT.. less hair on my arms than any girl I know, I been told that a lot too!)
I am curious why facial hair won't shut like body hair, if the case for body hair is true anyways.
I am curious why facial hair won't shut like body hair, if the case for body hair is true anyways.
Title: Re: Anti-androgens and body hair
Post by: CharleneT on November 30, 2009, 11:19:12 PM
Post by: CharleneT on November 30, 2009, 11:19:12 PM
Not at all sure of the why of the facial hair thing, but I chalk it up to "live just isn't fair"
Title: Re: Anti-androgens and body hair
Post by: tiger on November 30, 2009, 11:29:22 PM
Post by: tiger on November 30, 2009, 11:29:22 PM
I've got "fur" the wife used to compare me to the gorilla at the zoo. It was in a loving sort of way, but it still doesn't help my situation.
Title: Re: Anti-androgens and body hair
Post by: Hannah on November 30, 2009, 11:53:40 PM
Post by: Hannah on November 30, 2009, 11:53:40 PM
As I understand it, in early fetal development testosterone works with amh and is responsible for the decay of the mullerian system (precursors of the utereus etc) and development of internal male sexual organs and at puberty skeletal mass and facial hair.
Dihydrotestosterone is responsible for the formation of external male genitalia and at puberty effects body structure (muscle mass, skin tone, body hair, fat distribution etc). It's just how it is, the degree in either direction being coded in our genes. The thing about testosterone stimulated structures is they are intended to be permanent, and are therefore not heavily influenced by changes in testosterone levels. The body doesn't need a ton of testosterone to maintain adequate dht for it's purposes, so the physical effects haven't needed to evolve permanence, and are therefore easier to adapt to the environment.
I'm sketchy on the science because it's been a while, but I think that's the gist of it. It just depends on which secondary sex characteristic was spawned by which system and chemical.
Dihydrotestosterone is responsible for the formation of external male genitalia and at puberty effects body structure (muscle mass, skin tone, body hair, fat distribution etc). It's just how it is, the degree in either direction being coded in our genes. The thing about testosterone stimulated structures is they are intended to be permanent, and are therefore not heavily influenced by changes in testosterone levels. The body doesn't need a ton of testosterone to maintain adequate dht for it's purposes, so the physical effects haven't needed to evolve permanence, and are therefore easier to adapt to the environment.
I'm sketchy on the science because it's been a while, but I think that's the gist of it. It just depends on which secondary sex characteristic was spawned by which system and chemical.
Title: Re: Anti-androgens and body hair
Post by: sarahF on December 02, 2009, 06:32:07 PM
Post by: sarahF on December 02, 2009, 06:32:07 PM
I've been on spiro and E for just under a year. I have some hair reduction all over. so I'll wait a little longer and see what happens
Sarah
Sarah