Susan's Place Transgender Resources

First and foremost, thanks for taking the time to stop by my thread!

Anyway, I aspire to start HRT somewhat soon. I should first define my goal with HRT as to get away from being male while NOT going female. In short, I wish to hover between the two genders. I've done plenty of research and compared a lot of medications, I realize this is a serious matter and I am doing my best to make an informed decision about the next steps I take before I see a therapist. Some questions I could not find definite answers to, so I hope to ask them here!

First question, is Spironolactone the only decent Anti-Androgen available in the US? I have heard Siterone (Cyproterone) is not available at all in the US (Even with a script), is this true?

Second, I am curious as to the degree of diuretic effect given by Spironolactone. I have a pelvic injury that I am still going to physical therapy for, and having a strong diuretic will complicate things as the injury already gives me intense urgency and moderate frequency. If it's not too personal, will someone state their urinary changes (in hours) before and after spiro?

Third and last, I looked into what I could do to stop breast growth and my best result was Tamoxifen upon the first signals of breast/nipple changes. Am I correct in this assumption?

If you have any other words to share, I'm very open and will be willing to accept any new information anyone has to offer. Thanks for your help and support!

No, there are other AA besides Spiro. Finasteride (Propecia/Proscar) or Dutasteride (Avodart) are some others, often used in conjunction with Spiro. But Spiro is pretty much the gold standards all MTF are put on.

I've been on a high dose of Spiro for a few months, and haven't noticed much, if any increase, in urinary output. Maybe slightly more. Definitely not to the point where I'm going every hour etc. Leg cramps at night on occasion though.

As for Tamoxifen, I've heard of it being prescribed for that purpose, but breast growth takes several years, and even then won't turn you into a perky 44 DD. So I wouldn't bother. The less meds the better, is the safe approach.

:)

Quote from: JennX on October 13, 2010, 07:25:03 PM
No, there are other AA besides Spiro. Finasteride (Propecia/Proscar) or Dutasteride (Avodart) are some others, often used in conjunction with Spiro. But Spiro is pretty much the gold standards all MTF are put on.

I've been on a high dose of Spiro for a few months, and haven't noticed much, if any increase, in urinary output. Maybe slightly more. Definitely not to the point where I'm going every hour etc. Leg cramps at night on occasion though.

As for Tamoxifen, I've heard of it being prescribed for that purpose, but breast growth takes several years, and even then won't turn you into a perky 44 DD. So I wouldn't bother. The less meds the better, is the safe approach.

:)

Ah, aren't those two [Finasteride/Dutasteride] DHT blockers only? They sound familiar...

That's very nice that it seems not everyone will experience the diuretic effects. I know it's not major but I would just find it annoying.

Thanks for your time, JennX!

I just started Spiro last week, and Estradiol about 4 months ago.  I noticed more of an overall change in frequency from going on E than I did from going on Spiro, although things did seem a little weird the first couple days on Spiro.

Quote from: Aidan_ on October 13, 2010, 07:39:04 PM
Ah, aren't those two [Finasteride/Dutasteride] DHT blockers only? They sound familiar...

That's very nice that it seems not everyone will experience the diuretic effects. I know it's not major but I would just find it annoying.

Thanks for your time, JennX!

Correct. Finasteride & Dutasteride block the enzyme that converts T to DHT... not T alone. Spiro is needed for that. Cypro is not available in the US due to some of the side-effects I believe.

I was worried about the frequent trips to restroom before starting as well. I drink a lot of water, so I was pleased.  :D

Quote from: Ketsy on October 13, 2010, 07:53:45 PM
I just started Spiro last week, and Estradiol about 4 months ago.  I noticed more of an overall change in frequency from going on E than I did from going on Spiro, although things did seem a little weird the first couple days on Spiro.

I see. Thanks for sharing! Spiro is a funny drug. I'd heard of a potassium-sparing diuretic before but one that's also an anti-androgen? What a joke! Well it wasn't a joke...

Spiro made me and several others I know have a hair trigger bladder that just won't wait to be emptied especially if i'm using water in the kitchen.
it might be a response to changes in our prostates. 
before you start taking some HRT but also Tamox to stop feminising you really ought to get the therapy first as messing and mixing with hrt may make things worse later.

Quote from: lilacwoman on October 14, 2010, 02:13:49 AM
Spiro made me and several others I know have a hair trigger bladder that just won't wait to be emptied especially if i'm using water in the kitchen.
it might be a response to changes in our prostates. 
before you start taking some HRT but also Tamox to stop feminising you really ought to get the therapy first as messing and mixing with hrt may make things worse later.

No doubt, I'll take note of that. Thanks for sharing!

Quote from: Aidan_ on October 13, 2010, 03:38:51 PM
First and foremost, thanks for taking the time to stop by my thread!

Anyway, I aspire to start HRT somewhat soon. I should first define my goal with HRT as to get away from being male while NOT going female. In short, I wish to hover between the two genders. I've done plenty of research and compared a lot of medications, I realize this is a serious matter and I am doing my best to make an informed decision about the next steps I take before I see a therapist. Some questions I could not find definite answers to, so I hope to ask them here!

First question, is Spironolactone the only decent Anti-Androgen available in the US? I have heard Siterone (Cyproterone) is not available at all in the US (Even with a script), is this true?

Second, I am curious as to the degree of diuretic effect given by Spironolactone. I have a pelvic injury that I am still going to physical therapy for, and having a strong diuretic will complicate things as the injury already gives me intense urgency and moderate frequency. If it's not too personal, will someone state their urinary changes (in hours) before and after spiro?

Third and last, I looked into what I could do to stop breast growth and my best result was Tamoxifen upon the first signals of breast/nipple changes. Am I correct in this assumption?

If you have any other words to share, I'm very open and will be willing to accept any new information anyone has to offer. Thanks for your help and support!

The diuretic effect of spiro was noticeable for me in the beginning, but over time it seems to have just disappeared.

On the whole, you're probably better off with spiro than cypro, cypro is harder on the liver, and doesn't really have any huge advantages that I am aware of.

Quote from: Ashley4214 on October 14, 2010, 07:16:06 AM
The diuretic effect of spiro was noticeable for me in the beginning, but over time it seems to have just disappeared.

On the whole, you're probably better off with spiro than cypro, cypro is harder on the liver, and doesn't really have any huge advantages that I am aware of.

Some sources report the effects of Cypro to be stronger and amplified compared to Spiro, but that could just be their opinion.

Good to know your body got used to some side effects! Thanks for sharing.

For me my frequency of urination has gone up a lot:

I was probably once and hour before... I'm now every 15 minutes or so.

Quote from: Aidan_ on October 14, 2010, 07:20:36 AM
Some sources report the effects of Cypro to be stronger and amplified compared to Spiro, but that could just be their opinion.

Good to know your body got used to some side effects! Thanks for sharing.

Cypro is a more powerful antiandrogen, this is true. But T levels can be controlled just as well with Spiro too.

Thanks for sharing your experiences, pheonix and perlita.