Susan's Place Transgender Resources

I recently read an article that said that you should take anti-androgens and finasteride for a period of three years, regardless if SRS is performed one year after starting.

QuotePost-Operative Regimen

Unless one has been on a feminizing regimen similar to the program described here, with sufficient anti-androgens as well as estrogens for at least 3 years, one must continue their anti-androgens after surgery along with a reduced amount of estrogen. As stated previously, it takes approximately three years of estrogen/ anti-androgen use to achieve full feminization. We have helped and advised many transgender women and found that it matters little when the SRS is performed during this period as far as the final results are concerned. The final full feminization can be achieved if the SRS is performed one year into their regimen with two additional years following it, after three years, or even if the full three years of hormonal feminization is post-SRS.

I would have included a link, however it includes HRT regiments and I don't want to get into any trouble.  I know that what is quoted doesnt mention finasteride, however the regiment that is shown does include it as part of the post operative regiment.


I am curious if anyone who has had SRS has done anything like this?  I'm curious as I have not been on HRT for three years, and I am having my SRS in February.  I didn't think to ask my endo about it, and I am not scheduled to see him until after SRS, at which time we will be re-evaluating my HRT regiment.

So, has anyone stayed on Anti-androgens and Finasteride after SRS (with the obvious inclusion of estrogen).

pure bunk
there are rare cases of hyperactive adrenals after surgery, but it's pretty short lived as it burns itself out trying to regulate the old sex steroids to "normal"

finasteride or a similar dht blocking med might be useful in case hair loss is still a problem

I dunno, if that's written by who I think it is he is a pretty experienced trans doctor. It might be worth scheduling a call with him to get some of his reasoning and details so you can go to the endo prepared. Just my two cents  :angel:

After my Orchie I stopped all Anti-Androgens.  My Estrogen is still at the level I was at but it is only for a short time.  It is to allow my body to develop further, then we will reduce them.



Hugs and Love
Janet

Quote from: Matilda on December 11, 2009, 05:47:15 PM
Per my doctor's orders, I stopped my anti-androgen medication immediately after SRS & my estrogen dosage was lowered as well. 

When I started HRT (age 19). my testosterone levels were 160ng/dl for some reason, which is unusual.

Post-HRT/SRS, they have never been higher than 20ng/dl (unreadable).  Therefore, I don't know about this article you talk about, but then again, perhaps my experience is atypical?

How long were you on HRT before SRS?

Quote from: Janet Lynn on December 11, 2009, 06:37:44 PM
After my Orchie I stopped all Anti-Androgens.  My Estrogen is still at the level I was at but it is only for a short time.  It is to allow my body to develop further, then we will reduce them.

How long were you on HRT before your orchiectomy?


I'm curious because the article claims that androgen blockers if taken for three years do not need to be taken after SRS or an orchiectomy. However if they were not taken for three years prior, they should be taken after until 3 years is reached.

For me I was on HRT for 19 months, but I need to do something more than meds.



Hugs and Love
Janet

I still take finasteride though its been about 19 months since SRS.  Since the effective dose is so cheap, I figure I might as well to not risk thinning at the temples.

Lia

Finasteride only has 5AR type 2 binding.  I think type 2 exists in the epidimus, prostate and possibly other genital regions.  Type 1 is found in hair (probably facial hair).  From what I read the type 1 is activated or otherwise produced in response to DHT.  Dutastride is the only means I know of to block type 1.  (with all of it's flourinated halocarbon evils)

According to data:
1mg/day blocks half of type 1 in 28 days with a promising extrapolation.  10mg/day blocks ~all of the type 1 in less than that.
Type 1 is also found in the BRAIN and is responsible for other reductase (meaningless) functions besides testosterone.  I would not recommend Dutastride beyond a period of time (length mediated by efficacy of dosage -- Finasteride is less bioactive but still foreign).

My presumption is that type 1 maintains itself, ie after male menopause.  And this is why beards continue to grow but little old asian men live forever.


Anyhow, Dutastride would do very little after SRS and Finasteride would do even less.