Susan's Place Transgender Resources

Community Conversation => Transitioning => Hormone replacement therapy => Topic started by: MyAlias on April 18, 2013, 03:03:52 AM

Title: "Cycling hormones " what does that mean?
Post by: MyAlias on April 18, 2013, 03:03:52 AM
I have heard people talking about cycling there hormones, to prevent losing erectile function. Does this work? How do you cycle them? private message me if you like. Thank you all for the help. I am asking this question with full seriousness, I don't have bottom dysphoria.
Title: Re: "Cycling hormones " what does that mean?
Post by: Kelly-087 on April 18, 2013, 03:37:31 PM
I don't know how it works and I can't advise. And since it's a touchy subject here, I wouldn't if I did know.

I do know that some trans porn stars do this to maintain their erections.

Title: Re: "Cycling hormones " what does that mean?
Post by: Joanna Dark on April 18, 2013, 06:06:49 PM
The theory behind cycling hormones is that it will replicate a cis female's menstrual cycle and it is supposed to create faster development. However, natal females don't completely stop producing hormones for a week a month. You're supposed to do three weeks on and one week off. I wouldn't try it. If you're looking to keep erectile function while on HRT the only thing you can only really do is take a low dose of spiro and E.  Over time, this may hurt erectile function while not creating optimal development. If you cycle, I guess it could cause you to keep functioning. Not sure. It seems dangerous.
Title: Re: "Cycling hormones " what does that mean?
Post by: Kelly-087 on April 18, 2013, 06:15:35 PM
What she's asking about is how to keep erectile function. Some transgirls (especially porn stars) cycle their drugs so that they keep enough of an ability to have an erection.

I'm not sure how they do it and get results, but Ive never really looked into it that much.
Title: Re: "Cycling hormones " what does that mean?
Post by: Joanna Dark on April 18, 2013, 06:25:59 PM
The best way to find out is probably to find a trangirl porn star, FB her, and then ask!  :P
Title: Re: "Cycling hormones " what does that mean?
Post by: kelly_aus on April 18, 2013, 06:35:40 PM
It may not be needed. After almost 2 years of regular hormone usage, I have no erectile dysfunction - and never have. When I want it to, it works. Not quite as big or firm as it was before, but perfectly functional.
Title: Re: "Cycling hormones " what does that mean?
Post by: Kelly-087 on April 18, 2013, 07:15:30 PM
I haven't been on them as long as you other Kelly.

But yeah I don't have too many problems there either.

And I really don't reccomend hormone cycling without medical advice first. I do have a basic idea of how its done and it could be potentially dangerous in the short term scheme of things.
Title: Re: "Cycling hormones " what does that mean?
Post by: JennX on April 18, 2013, 09:03:50 PM
Cycling refers to changing your dosages of E at different times of the month to match the natural cycle of a cis-female.

As far as erections go... I had 3 years of HRT with E & Spiro, and was always able to get and maintain a solid erection... right up until the day I had my SRS. Now it's kinda difficult. LOL!  ;)

Maybe I should've looked in to some porn work? Joke.
Title: Re: "Cycling hormones " what does that mean?
Post by: Hideyoshi on April 19, 2013, 01:46:16 PM
Been on finasteride for eight months and estrogen for seven, still get boners perfectly fine. Affects everybody differently i guess
Title: Re: "Cycling hormones " what does that mean?
Post by: XchristineX on April 19, 2013, 01:56:23 PM
I'm on Spiro estrogen and medroxyprogesterone

I rarely get it active...a d when it does I try to take advantage
Of it lol ...but after ten mins I'm like wtf....won't finish...
I'll have to get grs to orgasm again...
Title: Re: "Cycling hormones " what does that mean?
Post by: Joanna Dark on April 20, 2013, 01:59:21 PM
Quote from: Hideyoshi on April 19, 2013, 01:46:16 PM
Been on finasteride for eight months and estrogen for seven, still get boners perfectly fine. Affects everybody differently i guess

Have you considered going on spiro. I heard that finesteride isn't very effective as an AA. That's what my endo said. I asked about it. She said you hair is perfect so there is no need as it only blocks DHT and promotes hair growth and you'll do great with just spiro and estrofem. Just a suggestion. You're doing quite well though so there is the whole if ain't broke don't fix it thing. I've been obsessed with anti-androgen recently lol
Title: Re: "Cycling hormones " what does that mean?
Post by: Tessa James on April 20, 2013, 02:12:56 PM
MyAlias,

Like our other respondents I have OK erections and function on Spiro and Estradiol and especially enjoy the sensation of calm vs. the old pushy urgency I attribute partly to testosterone.  We have also heard from TG/TS women who utilize prescription viagra with success.  My endo folks warned against concurrent use of testosterone or skipping doses to do the cycling thing.  It is a journey of self discovery for sure!

Tessa James
Title: Re: "Cycling hormones " what does that mean?
Post by: Kelly-087 on April 20, 2013, 08:25:24 PM
I think part of maintaining that ability to have an erection  is trying.

Most of the people Ive seen commenting that cant tend to be severely bottom dysphoric. Not all of us are, nothing wrong with that especially if our partners/sexuallity allows it.

Ive def seen a decrease in it. It goes away when I want it too and and comes back when I want it to, lol.

Viagra could be a bad idea without doctor consult as typical t-blockers lower blood pressure, and so does viagra. It wouldnt be as bad as nitroglycerin and viagra, but still a problematic or fatal combination if you have the right conditions.
Title: Re: "Cycling hormones " what does that mean?
Post by: XchristineX on April 20, 2013, 08:42:31 PM
What is bottom dysphpric?
Because I can't get it up on HRT
:'(
Title: Re: "Cycling hormones " what does that mean?
Post by: Catherine Sarah on April 20, 2013, 09:08:08 PM
In the words of my very experienced Endo, the only reason a MtF would want/need to cycle hormones is if they wanted to fall pregnant. Start and end of conversation.

There are absolutely NO benefits whatsoever for a MtF cycling hormones. If anything, optimum results are achieved by an MtF from a consistent and persistent supply of HT.

"Bottom dysphoric" refers to a dislike (in its varying stages) to one's current appendages in the region between one's upper legs and buttocks. It has nothing to do with functionality of same.

I hope this has clarified some misinformation.

Huggs
Catherine
Title: Re: "Cycling hormones " what does that mean?
Post by: JennX on April 20, 2013, 09:15:57 PM
Quote from: Catherine Sarah on April 20, 2013, 09:08:08 PM
There are absolutely NO benefits whatsoever for a MtF cycling hormones. If anything, optimum results are achieved by an MtF from a consistent and persistent supply of HT.

Huggs
Catherine

This is right on the money. You want to maintain a constant and equal level of E over time. Without any peaks or valleys in the administration, if possible. There is no physiological reason a MTF would want to cycle Estrogen, because in actually it would be counter-productive
Title: Re: "Cycling hormones " what does that mean?
Post by: Kelly-087 on April 21, 2013, 01:00:41 PM
It isn't the Estrogen that's cycled.

It's the blockers. Which is why it can become really dangerous.
Title: Re: "Cycling hormones " what does that mean?
Post by: XchristineX on April 21, 2013, 01:13:29 PM
An erection is dependant on testosterone and mostl likeky
Psychological conditions to enjoy it

And Spiro wipes out testosterone pretty good.
Title: Re: "Cycling hormones " what does that mean?
Post by: kelly_aus on April 21, 2013, 02:02:38 PM
Quote from: XchristineX on April 21, 2013, 01:13:29 PM
An erection is dependant on testosterone and mostl likeky
Psychological conditions to enjoy it

And Spiro wipes out testosterone pretty good.

I have very low, almost non-existent T levels and I'm still quite functional..
Title: Re: "Cycling hormones " what does that mean?
Post by: Joanna Dark on April 21, 2013, 02:48:14 PM
All this talk of sexual function makes me wonder if my sex life post-SRS (three years from now) will be as satisfying and profligate as it was pre-HRT. The reason I worry about sexual functioning now is because I don't want the tissue to shrink and then require some sort of graft. And I highly doubt I will find anyone who wants to have sex with me anytime soon given I'm in some sort of in-between state physically. Anyhoo, here's a large study on Sex after SRS: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1743-6109.2009.01370.x/abstract;jsessionid=6299985F7C227A77E77DA54FACEDA56F.d04t04 (http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1743-6109.2009.01370.x/abstract;jsessionid=6299985F7C227A77E77DA54FACEDA56F.d04t04)

You will be required to pay a small fee for the full article and I'd do it but I'm quite poor right now. Anyone have LexisNexis? The study is quite new as well. It's from 2009. Most recentish studies have been done by everyone's favorite researcher, Anne Lawrence. But not this one.

Title: Re: "Cycling hormones " what does that mean?
Post by: kelly_aus on April 21, 2013, 02:54:53 PM
Quote from: Joanna Dark on April 21, 2013, 02:48:14 PM
And I highly doubt I will find anyone who wants to have sex with me anytime soon given I'm in some sort of in-between state physically.

I didn't think I'd find anyone who was interested in me while I was pre-op. I was wrong, it can and does happen. I know a couple of other pre-op girls who have partners too.
Title: Re: "Cycling hormones " what does that mean?
Post by: Joanna Dark on April 21, 2013, 03:37:16 PM
Thanks Kelly! That gives me some hope! I really don't want to be alone anymore, especially now that I'm at peace with myself. Hopefully, something does happen sometime between someone. I'm Bi and not very picky lol so I'm prob pretty easy. BTW, your hair reminds a little bit of my Ex's hair. Except she had a faux-hawk. I like it! It's an awesome color for hair ^-^
Title: Re: "Cycling hormones " what does that mean?
Post by: Kelly-087 on April 21, 2013, 05:58:20 PM
I'm not with anyone at the moment.

But I know of transgirls that like other transgirls, as well as some bi cis girls that are into transgirls. and there's also very free spirited lesbians as well. I'm still waiting for a few more months of feminization before I start dating.

There's also guys but you have to be careful there since the fetishy types can be really dangerous.
Title: Re: "Cycling hormones " what does that mean?
Post by: XchristineX on April 21, 2013, 06:33:40 PM
Quote from: Kelly-087 on April 21, 2013, 05:58:20 PM
I'm not with anyone at the moment.

But I know of transgirls that like other transgirls, as well as some bi cis girls that are into transgirls. and there's also very free spirited lesbians as well. I'm still waiting for a few more months of feminization before I start dating.

There's also guys but you have to be careful there since the fetishy types can be really dangerous.

What is a fetishy type? I don't understans that
Statement.  And why would they be dangerous?
Title: Re: "Cycling hormones " what does that mean?
Post by: Devlyn on April 21, 2013, 06:59:20 PM
Quote from: Kelly-087 on April 21, 2013, 05:58:20 PM
I'm not with anyone at the moment.

But I know of transgirls that like other transgirls, as well as some bi cis girls that are into transgirls. and there's also very free spirited lesbians as well. I'm still waiting for a few more months of feminization before I start dating.

There's also guys but you have to be careful there since the fetishy types can be really dangerous.

Let's be careful how we characterize people. We're all different, let's respect that. Hugs, Devlyn
Title: Re: "Cycling hormones " what does that mean?
Post by: Kelly-087 on April 21, 2013, 07:07:01 PM

Devlyn. I don't find anything wrong with guys simply attracted to trans girls.

But there is a line, and there are a group of guys there absolutely obsessed with pre-op transgirls and to me it's the same kind of thing for guys who chase fourteen year old girls. They can be extremely abusive  and controlling if you get involved with them. That's what I mean by feitshy types.


I'll edit to add one of my many online experiences. I was talking t some guy in a chat room. At first, he believes im a CIS girl. The second I casually mention being trans the conversation shifts from "Oh cool, what are you doing in school" kind of stuff to "Omg really? Thats so hot. Will you show me pics? Will you meet me? Will you meet me and have sex with me?" In the course of about two minutes. He begged me for sex until I finally ignored him.

I'll say they aren't all bad either. I talked to a really nice guy once and he told me he really wanted to date a transgirl because he thought it was cute, and he asked me places and how he could meet one, how to talk to them, ect.. A complete difference from a seemingly disturbed sexual fetish the previous example displayed.
Title: Re: "Cycling hormones " what does that mean?
Post by: Devlyn on April 21, 2013, 07:19:11 PM
Well, then we agree that predators are predators, and that gender and orientation have little to do with it? Hugs, Devlyn
Title: Re: "Cycling hormones " what does that mean?
Post by: Nicole on April 21, 2013, 07:21:27 PM
I was still able to get hard enough for self play time a few weeks before SRS.
It took a bit of getting in the right mood but did work.

As for sex post. Its amazing with the right person, its ok with a hook up and bad with the wrong person.


I also now "cycle" my hormones, 28 days, off for 3, on for 28 days. I didn't do it until a few years after srs and one day just started doing it.
Title: Re: "Cycling hormones " what does that mean?
Post by: Kelly-087 on April 21, 2013, 07:23:56 PM
Quote from: Devlyn Marie on April 21, 2013, 07:19:11 PM
Well, then we agree that predators are predators, and that gender and orientation have little to do with it? Hugs, Devlyn

Except these predators target our gender and orientation.

but yes, predators are predators.
Title: Re: "Cycling hormones " what does that mean?
Post by: XchristineX on April 21, 2013, 09:25:16 PM
Your female cis or trans
There will always be men that are abusive to our gender

And I have a fair amount of dating experience....
The men you speak of that really want a ->-bleeped-<-...
Maybe they do have that drive as a straight man
Is fixated on a straight woman....I. have had men
Like that.
I also had a spouse who used to beat me..
Lesson.  All variations have rhier abusers