Has anyone ever been put on Progesterone (NETA) also known as Norethindrone and the generic brand, aygestin while being on T to bring back your period?
My doctor is putting me on this for 12 days, it supposed to clean out the lining or something like that so you don't get cancer. So at the end of 12 days I might get a period. The thought of this is depressing me so much. I thought I was through with getting my period. The only way to correct this would be to get a hysto, but right now I can't. But now I'm considering getting a hysto so I don't ever get my period again and go through those awful cramps.
If at the end of 12 days I do get a period, I have to take this med every 3 months to get my period to keep the lining clean so I don't get cancer.
This is the first time I have read anyone post anything about this. I have been on T for 2 years and about 3 months and my GP has never said anything like this to me. Ever. And after the first time in his office when I signed the forms to refuse any sort of gyno checks or procedures he has never mentioned it again. Now I am on the waiting list (and have been for like a year) to have my hysto at the local hospital but surely if it was that important to shed that particular lining :eusa_sick: *shudders* everyone's GP should be telling them the same thing no??!!
I'm not saying your doctor is wrong I'm just saying I've never heard anyone say that before. Even a woman can skip her period if she wants to by taking (or not taking) specific pills and even some on the implanon or depo contaceptive don't have a period for months at a time! As far as I was aware the body just reabsorbs the lining, if it forms it at all.. Maybe someone else has some more information about this?
I honestly think that if I got any sort of 'period' now it would be so traumatic - I really don't know what I would do. I would be beside myself.. Maybe become hysterical - I may even need to be sedated for the duration of the curse... :-\ It's hard to even comprehend how I used to deal with it.
QuoteI honestly think that if I got any sort of 'period' now it would be so traumatic - I really don't know what I would do. I would be beside myself.. Maybe become hysterical - I may even need to be sedated for the duration of the curse... :-\ It's hard to even comprehend how I used to deal with it.
I know it. I'm feeling so depressed right now thinking my period will be back in 12 days. And if it's not, does that mean something bad? I dunno. But if I do get my period after 12 days I have to take this pill every 3 months to having my period. This is just so upsetting and depressing me so much. I don't want to go through the cramping pain again and popping all those ibuprofen pills for 3-4 days.
I don't remember everything the dr. told me, but she said it wouldn't be professional if she didn't tell me that I had to take this pill, b/c if I don't take this pill there's a risk that I could get cancer. The pill has to do with cleaning the lining and making sure everything works okay and making sure there's no blood clots or anything like that. It's to help prevent cancer or something like that.
When my doctor first prescribed T for me, she went over the possibility of needing to induce one of those (and I made it clear that it was only ever going to happen if something went wrong), but she hasn't brought it up in the few years since then.
Someone with more medical knowledge than I would have a better grasp of how the cycles work, I'm sure, but if I'm not mistaken, the lining builds up in response to an increase in levels of estrogen. If that part of the cycle still functions in your body, but you're not receiving the spike in progesterone to shed it, then maybe there would be problems. I don't know. But if your estrogen levels are stable in a lower, roughly male range, then as far as I know, there would be no build up of the lining to be shed and the progesterone would do nothing but cause cramping, spotting, and dysphoria.
What? I've been on T for almost 3 years, and no one has ever informed me of this. I think I would refuse that treatment.
@ozoozol: Yeah that's what my doctor was saying.
QuoteThe progesterone would do nothing but cause cramping, spotting, and dysphoria.
That's exactly what it's gonna do if everything is working properly.
I really don't want to go through cramps again. Just thinking about having my period coming back does not do good for my mental health. It's been putting me in a horrible mood since I found out I have to take these pills. I just started taking the pill yesterday. I cannot and will not work with a period.
@ChesireBat: Your doctor should have told you just so you know. Even if you refuse to take the pill, he/she should have just informed you like my doctor did, like what would happen, ya know? I don't want to take the pill but I'm afraid if I don't take the pill something much worse could happen since I won't be able to get a hysto for many many many, etc... years so I figure I should just take it for now until I get a hysto.
Taking testosterone does not cause a build up of uterine lining. It is accutually assumed to thin it. No one knows what causes/doesn't cause uterine but there are some risk factors that have been linked to it, which you can read about here: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001908/ (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001908/)
From Nick Gorton's book, which can be found at www.nickgorton.org (http://www.nickgorton.org)
Some sources recommend endometrial ultrasounds every two years until hysterectomy is
performed. Testosterone typically causes atrophy of the endometrium. However,
endometrial hyperplasia has been reported in some patients. Any transgender man with
endometrium that is not thinned on ultrasound after several months or more of adequate
dose testosterone therapy should have an endometrial biopsy to evaluate for endometrial
dysplasia and may require progesterone to cause sloughing of the endometrium. Vaginal
bleeding from progesterone may be unpleasant for a transman, but the consequences and
risk of endometrial cancer should be emphasized to the patient. Timing of such
progesterone induced bleeding can however be discussed with the patient so that it can be
planned for a time when it is least disruptive for him.
Have you had an endometrial ultrasound that has shonw you to have a thick endometrium? Is that why she is recommending this? Does she also recommend an endometrial biopsy?
Quote from: Andy8715 on March 06, 2012, 01:05:02 PM
Have you had an endometrial ultrasound that has shonw you to have a thick endometrium? Is that why she is recommending this? Does she also recommend an endometrial biopsy?
No to all and I never had an endometrial ultrasound.
I would refuse unless she had a good reason.
I'm afraid if I don't take the pill something bad will happen since I can't and maybe won't ever get a hysto b/c I won't see a gyno.
I have heard of this once before, and in my non medically trained opinion.. I think it is bull and unnecessary. if it was something that needed to be done, most all trans guys on T would be required/urged to do it.
@Elijah: What if a transguy never plans on getting a hysto?
You really need to get a hysto at least by 10 years on T.
I, too, have read (perhaps it was in Gorton's book) that the lining doesn't build up when you're on T. He's made a study of guys like us, so I would be inclined to believe him.
I was past that time of life when I started T, so it's easy for me to say that I wouldn't do the treatment! But your situation is different to mine. Personally, I'd probably want to delay a bit until I did more research. Unless you have some kind of urgent medical problem, how much difference will a month or two make? But bear in mind that I'm not an M.D. I'm just saying what I think I might do in your shoes.
Gah, it sounds horrible. Although I was trying valiantly to be closeted, I remember how I felt when I reached the point of menopause--twelve full months without bleeding--I was so relieved. And I remember how I felt when, at the fifteen-month mark, I had a "hiccup," a sort of last gasp. I bled for a day or two and was so depressed and angry. I felt betrayed by my body...and I was still living as a woman, not even acknowledging to myself that I was trans.
Woman. I still can't believe I lived that way for so long. No wonder I was so messed up.
What happens if I don't get a hysto? Cancer? Can you get a hysto without going to the gyno? I refuse to see a gyno.
@Arch: That sucks to bleed when at 15 months you went without bleeding. My biggest problem is the period cramps. If blood just came and no cramps I'd be okay, taking the pills wouldn't bother me. Not that I want to bleed. The cramps are just horrible and I can't take going through that again.
Quote from: Dominick_81 on March 07, 2012, 11:25:43 PM
What happens if I don't get a hysto? Cancer? Can you get a hysto without going to the gyno? I refuse to see a gyno.
Higher risk of cancers of those parts, yes. If you want to take T for the rest of your life, which I'm assuming you do, you will have to be willing to take proper care of your reproductive health.
Quote from: Andy8715 on March 07, 2012, 11:29:10 PM
Higher risk of cancers of those parts, yes. If you want to take T for the rest of your life, which I'm assuming you do, you will have to be willing to take proper care of your reproductive health.
If I can get a hysto without going to a gyno, I'll get a hysto. But I have no money for a hysto and would not pay for a hysto. Top surgery comes first. The only way I'll get a hysto first is if it's all cover by my insurance. I will not pay a penny out of pocket of a hysto before top surgery.
You will need a gyno or a GP who has experience with it to be able to get it covered by insurance. As long as you are still marked on insurance as a female there is a possibility of getting it covered.
I think I'm still listed as female. I was gonna change it to male b/c I thought there was a way around it to still get a hysto covered even if your listed as male. I mean they know your female if you want a hysto. I don't understand why they wouldn't cover even if your listed as male?
Quote from: Dominick_81 on March 07, 2012, 11:58:48 PM
I think I'm still listed as female. I was gonna change it to male b/c I thought there was a way around it to still get a hysto covered even if your listed as male.
I'm sure there is a way, but I don't know what it is.
Quote from: Dominick_81 on March 07, 2012, 11:58:48 PM
I don't understand why they wouldn't cover even if your listed as male?
Because most insurance plans explicitly deny coverage of trans procedures.
QuoteBecause most insurance plans explicitly deny coverage of trans procedures.
I see.
Dominicki, have talked with your dr about increase your T so your periods stop completely; that work for most FTM.
Quote from: mm on March 08, 2012, 12:00:34 PM
Dominicki, have talked with your dr about increase your T so your periods stop completely; that work for most FTM.
That's not what the issue is as far as I've read. He doesn't get periods, she wants to forcibly give him a period every three months.
Quote from: Andy8715 on March 08, 2012, 12:46:13 PM
That's not what the issue is as far as I've read. He doesn't get periods, she wants to forcibly give him a period every three months.
@mm: What Andy said is correct. But the way I'm feeling now, I don't think I'll be taking T too much longer if I don't masculines in another year.
Quote from: Andy8715 on March 08, 2012, 12:46:13 PM
That's not what the issue is as far as I've read. He doesn't get periods, she wants to forcibly give him a period every three months.
Ew.
I have no other words for how awful that sounds.
I would outwardly protest if someone
ever asked to do something like that to me.
Quote from: JasonRX on March 08, 2012, 01:42:19 PM
Ew.
I have no other words for how awful that sounds.
I would outwardly protest if someone ever asked to do something like that to me.
Yeah, it sucks. But I'm afraid if I don't take it, something much worse could happen.
Dominick, I believe the theory is that going on T and not having hysto will eventually raise the RISK of cancer. You seem to be approaching cancer as if it were inevitable. Do some research--frankly, there's not much out there--and try to get a little perspective. If you're seeing a therapist, I hope you're working on your fears. If you're not seeing a therapist, think about talking to someone.
Also, I've never heard of a guy who was able to get hysto without at least one exam. Try not to see hysto and the exam as something that will happen now, when you're early in transition and easily spooked by the possibility of being looked at down there. Think of hysto as a goal, something you'll want to do eventually, something that you WILL be ready to do after a couple of years of self-improvement and confronting your fears and defeating them.
When I reached the point where top surgery became an absolute necessity, I needed a consultation with the surgeon. I wondered how I could ever let someone see my chest. I wasn't even taking my top off for my partner because I was so mortified by my chesticles. But I knew that I needed the surgery, so I looked at the consultation as a way to achieve that goal. I had already done a lot of work with my therapist, and he helped me to get through the consultation and everything else. Now I have a male-appearing chest, and I love it.
In the end, though, showing my chest to the surgeon was like giving myself a shot in the early days. Sometimes it hurt a little, and a couple of times it has hurt more. And I wasn't very skilled with the syringe at first. But I needed my T, so I kept on injecting. I kept my eyes on the goal--having T in my body--and was able to put up with a certain amount of temporary unpleasantness to achieve that goal. But I didn't self-inject (or get top surgery) until I was ready. And I took steps to make sure that I would be ready.
Quote
Because most insurance plans explicitly deny coverage of trans procedures.
This is exactly why I won't do anything, unless I actually do get cancer - then my insurance will HAVE to cover a hysto.
Quote from: Dominick_81 on March 08, 2012, 02:30:06 PM
Yeah, it sucks. But I'm afraid if I don't take it, something much worse could happen.
Taking it would never be an option for me.
I feel like to some degree that would besmirch my entire identity and couldn't put up with it.
I know not all guys with feel this way, but still.
In my experience though, starting testosterone meant stopping those annoying "visits", because I actually have not had my period once while on HRT.
Quote from: ChesireBat on March 08, 2012, 03:00:17 PM
This is exactly why I won't do anything, unless I actually do get cancer - then my insurance will HAVE to cover a hysto.
I hesitate to say this, but if a guy has a major health issue and the insurance company knows he is trans, it can find ways not to cover his hysto. He might win through some sort of appeals process, but maybe not.
Quote from: Dominick_81 on March 08, 2012, 02:30:06 PM
Yeah, it sucks. But I'm afraid if I don't take it, something much worse could happen.
Unless she has a specific reason, such as a endometrial ultrasound that has shown that the uterine lining was not thinning, I would refuse. There's no reason to take progesterone.
Quote from: Arch on March 08, 2012, 03:05:38 PM
I hesitate to say this, but if a guy has a major health issue and the insurance company knows he is trans, it can find ways not to cover his hysto. He might win through some sort of appeals process, but maybe not.
Sad, but true. The insurance company would find a way to not pay out.
Quote from: Arch on March 08, 2012, 02:42:10 PM
Dominick, I believe the theory is that going on T and not having hysto will eventually raise the RISK of cancer. You seem to be approaching cancer as if it were inevitable. Do some research--frankly, there's not much out there--and try to get a little perspective. If you're seeing a therapist, I hope you're working on your fears. If you're not seeing a therapist, think about talking to someone.
Also, I've never heard of a guy who was able to get hysto without at least one exam. Try not to see hysto and the exam as something that will happen now, when you're early in transition and easily spooked by the possibility of being looked at down there. Think of hysto as a goal, something you'll want to do eventually, something that you WILL be ready to do after a couple of years of self-improvement and confronting your fears and defeating them.
When I reached the point where top surgery became an absolute necessity, I needed a consultation with the surgeon. I wondered how I could ever let someone see my chest. I wasn't even taking my top off for my partner because I was so mortified by my chesticles. But I knew that I needed the surgery, so I looked at the consultation as a way to achieve that goal. I had already done a lot of work with my therapist, and he helped me to get through the consultation and everything else. Now I have a male-appearing chest, and I love it.
In the end, though, showing my chest to the surgeon was like giving myself a shot in the early days. Sometimes it hurt a little, and a couple of times it has hurt more. And I wasn't very skilled with the syringe at first. But I needed my T, so I kept on injecting. I kept my eyes on the goal--having T in my body--and was able to put up with a certain amount of temporary unpleasantness to achieve that goal. But I didn't self-inject (or get top surgery) until I was ready. And I took steps to make sure that I would be ready.
I do see a counselor.
I hope there is a way to prevent cancer if I don't ever get a hysto. I don't want anyone looking at me down there or touching me down there. I think I'm more terrified to go to gyno then to have surgery done. I'm not comfortable with my body and I don't want anyone looking at it. I hate it when my endo doctor has to look and feel my stomach. I absolutely hate it! Why does she have to look at my stomach? Can't she just feel it under my clothes like my other doctor does?
I'm glad your counselor was able to help you. I know I'll never be ready to go to a gyno. I never want to go to one. I don't care if I die just as and long as I don't go to hell.
@Andy8715: She didn't give me a reason expect if I don't bleed and the lining isn't cleaned out it could cause problems. It's more like a precaution. Since I won't ever go to a gyno, it might be a good idea I take it.
That is very intersting .....my hormone doctor is a gyno and she stopped my periods -- she said there was no reason to have it if it caused me so much dysphoria. I asked her about your situation and she said that was outdated materials and no longer used in the practice of treating trans men. She also said they have done further research on ovarian & cervical cancer and discovered it wasn't transmen were at higher risk -- it was transmen for some reason had higher rates of Poly Sistic (not sure of the name) and that was why there was higher rates of cancer. I have that condition so she said I should get a hysto.
On a side note -- they don't have to look down there for the surgery -- the do a small incision on your stomach and pull it all out that way.
Quote from: Robert Scott on March 08, 2012, 05:47:32 PM
That is very intersting .....my hormone doctor is a gyno and she stopped my periods -- she said there was no reason to have it if it caused me so much dysphoria. I asked her about your situation and she said that was outdated materials and no longer used in the practice of treating trans men. She also said they have done further research on ovarian & cervical cancer and discovered it wasn't transmen were at higher risk -- it was transmen for some reason had higher rates of Poly Sistic (not sure of the name) and that was why there was higher rates of cancer. I have that condition so she said I should get a hysto.
On a side note -- they don't have to look down there for the surgery -- the do a small incision on your stomach and pull it all out that way.
Thanks for letting me know. I'll tell the doctor I got some info and that I don't want to take it again. I've already taken 3 pills already. I'm not sure if I should stop taking it now...? I'm thinking I should just finish it out and never take it again. I'm not sure what to do...?
I'm sorry you have that condition. That sucks.
That's a good thing they don't look at you down there. But don't they have to put one of those things in, I'm not sure what you called it. It's something to do with your bladder...?
I've been on T for 3 years, and have been to about 5 different doctors during that time for T scrips--- not a one has ever said anything about inducing periods. I've never been to a gyno, either, and am not eager to see one, but there are no problems down there--- things actually work far better than they did before T.
On the TMI side, though, I've been off T for the past 4 1/2 months. Almost 2 months ago, the red death came back. The first time was a ton of cramping, plenty of feeling like an alien in my own head, and spotting that lasted, cumulatively, about 3 hours. That's all that was built up after 2 1/4 straight years of T. The next month, I had a normal period. I'll be damned, though, if I'll ever let a doctor "induce" one once I get back on T. Considering how little was built up after such a long time, I imagine that if I start back up on T right at the conclusion to the monthly curse, I shouldn't have to worry about build-up. I won't ever have a hysterectomy, either; I intend to start regular gyno check-ups as soon as finances permit.
Dominick, is it possible your dr. just isn't very good? I know you said in another thread that she didn't do proper level checks for you, which may have caused problems--- is it maybe time for a second opinion?
@Luc: The thought of cramping depresses me. I had bad cramps when I got my period. Since it's been a year since I got my last period I hope the cramps are not worse. I can't take that.
QuoteDominick, is it possible your dr. just isn't very good? I know you said in another thread that she didn't do proper level checks for you, which may have caused problems--- is it maybe time for a second opinion?
I don't think she has much experience with trans people. I think I might be the first ftm patient she had. The other trans patient she had was a mtf.
I don't want to change doctors b/c I feel it would be insulting, ya know what I mean? The thing I don't like is whenever I have an appointment with her she has to look at my stomach... I hate that. I don't want anyone looking at my stomach. I don't think it's necessary for her to look at my stomach.
I'm just gonna finish my 12 days I have on this pill and never take it again since it's not necessary. It only puts me in a depressive mood.
Also, since I'm taking this progesterone and T at the same time, won't it mess up my T levels? I'm getting my T levels checked tomorrow to see if the T is lasting in my body for the whole 2 weeks, but will the progesterone mess the T level reading up?