For the last week or so my nipples have been very itchy. Recently began a new HRT regimine that includes Prometrium and Suprefact (Estrace for E).
Well before this there was no aching, sinsitivity or itching. They are more itchy than achy but periodically they do ache a lil.
Am wondering id this is an early sign of growth or maybe my skin is just too dry or something?
Very typical sign of growth that will repeat it'self during growth spurts over time ;D It takes awhile for some to get going but first mine were very itchy and then began to ache some, then the aching became rather intense for a few months then subsided for awhile before going through another cycle
I usually experience growth after an itchy spell...early on I could feel the specific area that was about to...bloom...(directly behind the nip, around to the side, 1/2"-3/4" below the nip, etc) but now it's a generalized volume increase (and the itchiness is no longer isolated to the nipple area, it's more like from there to almost the chest)
"nip" = areola, btw
Itchy is a good thing! :)
itchy means.. breast growth
Yay, this sooo exciting!! :D. Hopefully I won't have to keep stuffing for too much longer :D
Okies ladies, TY
Great news. Hugs Shannon
Yep, definitely good news. I was recommended to use extra moisturiser... worked a treat.
Sometimes massaging them helps on achy days.
I love my sore little boobies. ;D
I wish I was getting the itchiness or soreness so I'd know. xD I already started with mild gynecomastia so I can't be too sure about growth under the layer of fat. I think I feel something, and my endo said he felt actual breast tissue, but there hasn't been much soreness and no itchies. :\ I guess they feel a bit firmer though... *shrugs and waits*
Quote from: Ashey on November 12, 2013, 07:05:54 PM
I wish I was getting the itchiness or soreness so I'd know. xD I already started with mild gynecomastia so I can't be too sure about growth under the layer of fat. I think I feel something, and my endo said he felt actual breast tissue, but there hasn't been much soreness and no itchies. :\ I guess they feel a bit firmer though... *shrugs and waits*
Breast growth is a process...my first itchiness happened some weeks after HRT, and has continued off and on since then (about 20 months).
If you're getting breasts...you'll itch even under a layer of fat. And I would think the ducts would be displacing the fat, as well. But I'm not a doctor, I'm not even a mechanic! He's dead, Jim...
oh wait, flashbacks to ST TOS....Beam me up, Scotty!
Mine itch, ache, or are sore, alternately, but in no particular order. I consider it a right of passage, and I'm proud the girls are starting to do something useful!
I was reading on this subject recently and... it was written somewhere that it is very advisable to increase Your iodine intake during the period of breast growth (this article was about growth stages in cis-girls). It turns out, iodine is quite essential, yet it is never explicitly mentioned in any of wiki articles about TS HRT regimens.
Thanks, that was extremely interesting, Emily. I was possibly iodine deficient during my first transition attempt which may have (at least in part) accounted for my very meagre breast growth at the time. This time, no problem on either count.
After doing some more digging, the issue seems tied to the thyroid gland (obviously, makes sense) and cis women with thyroid problems can experience breast size changes. One has to be extremely careful with iodine though - too little creates deficiency and that is a common Western malaise but it's easy to have too much and that will cause hyperthyroidism which is worse and dangerous.
So yes, iodine, like many dietary nutrients, is important for health and breast growth... but for anyone who is might now be contemplating ODing on iodine supplements in the hope of bigger boobs be advised it is a very, very, very bad idea. :)
My regular bloodwork checkups show thyroid being A-Okie-Dokie!
Another reason for doing HRT under medical supervision!
Great for you! It is such a nice feeling.
I'm on the patch & spiro for 3 months & mine also itch some days & kind of burn on some days, not every day just some days. However they are always sensitive. Breasts seem to be adding some fat.
Good luck GF.
I just saw my doctor yesterday at the eight-week mark on Spiro. She asked me if I had felt anything in my chest/breasts suggesting there was a good chance I should have but there's been nothing. I've now been started on the entry-level of Estrace before they make the move to max-out the Spiro dose. Perhaps this will bring some action on the boob front.
Quote from: Violet Bloom on November 14, 2013, 12:09:23 PM
I just saw my doctor yesterday at the eight-week mark on Spiro. She asked me if I had felt anything in my chest/breasts suggesting there was a good chance I should have but there's been nothing. I've now been started on the entry-level of Estrace before they make the move to max-out the Spiro dose. Perhaps this will bring some action on the boob front.
Some do start growing with just AA, but I'm not sure that most do. Most of my growth was a few months after maxing out the E...
btw, the dosage level isn't about any given "max" amount, they should try to give you the dose that will result in appropriate hormone levels (E and T) In my case, I'm at about half the "typical" dose for Spiro, because that's enough to get my T down to a negligible level.
I had absolutely no growth with Spiro (I was on Spiro only for 1 month). Then, after two weeks with added E, things started to go upwards... no frontwards..., upfront, lol, quite rapidly :)
Yes, I can't imagine AAs having any mammary growth potential unless maybe they were blocking low levels of natural or dietary E in your system...??
Not that I was expecting growth or even just itching/pain from AAs alone, but at least minor breast development is officially listed as a possible side effect from Spiro. As to "maximum" dosage, my clinic's standard practice usually involves ramping up to what is considered the common practical maximum (in any application) for Spiro, a value which I obviously can't quote here. My doctor seems intent on getting there eventually and I am trusting them given the clinic's dedicated and experienced LGBT health program. (A number of the staff are HRT patients themselves.) So far everything is going incredibly smoothly for me and multiple blood tests and blood pressure readings along the way have all been "perfect" (that was a direct quote from them). That said they may taper off the Spiro a little later on once the E is as high as needed. They are going to great lengths to ensure any side effects that may arise can easily be isolated to one medication or the other.
Quote from: Violet Bloom on November 14, 2013, 04:51:20 PM
Not that I was expecting growth or even just itching/pain from AAs alone, but at least minor breast development is officially listed as a possible side effect from Spiro. As to "maximum" dosage, my clinic's standard practice usually involves ramping up to what is considered the common practical maximum (in any application) for Spiro, a value which I obviously can't quote here. My doctor seems intent on getting there eventually and I am trusting them given the clinic's dedicated and experienced LGBT health program. (A number of the staff are HRT patients themselves.) So far everything is going incredibly smoothly for me and multiple blood tests and blood pressure readings along the way have all been "perfect" (that was a direct quote from them). That said they may taper off the Spiro a little later on once the E is as high as needed. They are going to great lengths to ensure any side effects that may arise can easily be isolated to one medication or the other.
Yeah, those medical types...they tend to be smart little buggers. :)
Hey girls! This has become quite the thread! :D
I came back to thank everyone and for a lil update and comment.
I was on a pretty high dose of spiro (not maximum dose), and a middle dose of Estrace.
Well, my boobs refused to grow at all. I had no itchiness, tingling, soreness or aching. Nipples and areola weren't responding at all.
On only about 6 weeks of taking Suprefact nasal spray... everything is happening now.
I actually have nearly A's now and they ache quite often, many times throughout the day and the sides i feel it in alternates.
And itchy...oh wow! A couple of times I couldnt take it and reached down the front of my top and itched them! In public...ugh bad thing for a woman to do and hopefully I wont do it again but I am crazy itchy there.
Suprefact is super!
Quote from: HelloKitty on November 14, 2013, 06:16:49 PM
Hey girls! This has become quite the thread! :D
I came back to thank everyone and for a lil update and comment.
I was on a pretty high dose of spiro (not maximum dose), and a middle dose of Estrace.
Well, my boobs refused to grow at all. I had no itchiness, tingling, soreness or aching. Nipples and areola weren't responding at all.
On only about 6 weeks of taking Suprefact nasal spray... everything is happening now.
I actually have nearly A's now and they ache quite often, many times throughout the day and the sides i feel it in alternates.
And itchy...oh wow! A couple of times I couldnt take it and reached down the front of my top and itched them! In public...ugh bad thing for a woman to do and hopefully I wont do it again but I am crazy itchy there.
Suprefact is super!
Yay!! Good news!!
THEY HAVE RISEN!
Quote from: HelloKitty on November 14, 2013, 06:16:49 PM
Hey girls! This has become quite the thread! :D
I came back to thank everyone and for a lil update and comment.
I was on a pretty high dose of spiro (not maximum dose), and a middle dose of Estrace.
Well, my boobs refused to grow at all. I had no itchiness, tingling, soreness or aching. Nipples and areola weren't responding at all.
On only about 6 weeks of taking Suprefact nasal spray... everything is happening now.
I actually have nearly A's now and they ache quite often, many times throughout the day and the sides i feel it in alternates.
And itchy...oh wow! A couple of times I couldnt take it and reached down the front of my top and itched them! In public...ugh bad thing for a woman to do and hopefully I wont do it again but I am crazy itchy there.
Suprefact is super!
GREAT NEWS!!!!! Congratulations on joining the boob growth club :)
Almost A's here too.....if I haul them around I can fit an A cup nicely now.
Suprefact does seem kind of tempting as a fall-back. When I looked up the detailed drug listings for it there are also injections and even implant versions available. I don't know if my clinic would consider it though. Also I'm getting 100% coverage for Spiro and Estrace through my employer's health plan so I'd be hard-pressed to give that up - Suprefact would not be fully covered under their plan terms in addition to being more expensive to begin with.
Congrats on your success with it anyways.
Great news! So what is Suprefact exactly? The closest I could get to figuring it out was that it was a hormone suppressant, which the name kind of implies.
I think I'll name my next rock band The Itchy Nipples :laugh: Got a nice ring to it eh?
Hee Hee
*Runs away*
Quote from: V M on November 15, 2013, 06:35:54 PM
I think I'll name my next rock band The Itchy Nipples :laugh: Got a nice ring to it eh?
Hee Hee
*Runs away*
As long as it's a nipple ring, it's all.....*runs away from the growing mob*
:o
Quote from: Beth Andrea on November 15, 2013, 08:03:51 PM
As long as it's a nipple ring, it's all.....*runs away from the growing mob*
:o
As part of the "mob" I was considering wielding a
big stick... then I remembered I had no intention of ever doing that again....
*runs away as mob suddenly turns on me*
Quote from: HelloKitty on November 12, 2013, 08:01:41 AM
For the last week or so my nipples have been very itchy. Recently began a new HRT regimine that includes Prometrium and Suprefact (Estrace for E).
Well before this there was no aching, sinsitivity or itching. They are more itchy than achy but periodically they do ache a lil.
Am wondering id this is an early sign of growth or maybe my skin is just too dry or something?
My nipples itch, and my boobs hurt for a few days every once in a while. I talked to m girlfriends and they said that they have all had it, and some still get it.
Yep. There was a period of relative peace for about 1,5 weeks, but now I feel that they are getting into another growth phase. I wonder if that's because I added Iodine and Prenatal vitamines to my HRT regimen??? They have not filled the cup yet (if one needs an actual cup for an A size..), but they are itchy and achy as hell... And kudos to poster who mentioned using moisturiser on them - it really does help :).
Hmm...I'd read that Iodine can mess up the thyroid if done improperly...but I also recall (if a bit dimly...) that during a nuclear attack/event, one is supposed to take iodine, to essentially engorge the thyroid so that it doesn't absorb radioactive stuff.
Still, I'd be careful with that particular supplement.
QuoteSource, US Nuke Reg Commission (http://www.nrc.gov/about-nrc/emerg-preparedness/about-emerg-preparedness/potassium-iodide/ki-faq.html)
What is the benefit of taking potassium iodide during a radiological accident?
When potassium iodide is ingested, it is taken up by the thyroid gland. In the proper dosage, and taken at the appropriate time, it will effectively saturate the thyroid gland in such a way that inhaled or ingested radioactive iodines will not be accumulated in the thyroid gland. The risk of thyroid effects is reduced. Such thyroid effects resulting from radioiodine uptakes due to inhalation or ingestion, or both, could result in acute, chronic, and delayed effects. Acute effects from high doses include thyroiditis, while chronic and delayed effects include hypothyroidism, thyroid nodules, and thyroid cancer.
Well, my dosage is less than the recommended daily iodine intake, plus the pill has folium acid as well, which is said to be quite a good anti-depressant for those being on the HRT as it helps to prevent or mitigate mood swings... Anyway, in two weeks I am submitting my next landmark blood test and then I will speak with my endo about this... Maybe I can switch it in and out on a weekly basis. I need to look into blood test assignment (which is in my office, cause my therapist and lab is just one floor below from the place I work - very very convenient ;) ) - perhaps my iodine ranges have been already checked in so I will see what my ranges are.
Quote from: ♡ Emily ♡ on November 17, 2013, 01:40:37 AM
Well, my dosage is less than the recommended daily iodine intake, plus the pill has folium acid as well, which is said to be quite a good anti-depressant for those being on the HRT as it helps to prevent or mitigate mood swings...
OMG, I so need that...
Quote from: Beth Andrea on November 17, 2013, 01:43:29 AM
OMG, I so need that...
Yeah, I was told this by one of MTFs from a neighbouring country and she was kinda - Wait, nobody told You that???
And I have not really seen this advice on Susan's very often too. I dropped it a couple of times, but I guess it mostly went unnoticed.
As for the mood swings - today is the full moon, huh...
It's normal for boobs to go through growth spurts... with preceding pain / itching. Guess it's their way of warning you about the extra clearance which will be needed :P.
Although since they're mostly fat, and the bits that hurt are the glands and ducts and things. I'm not really sure how the body knows *when* to put more fat in the boobs, or how that relates to the pain, but that seems to be how it works? Does anyone understand this moreso?
Quote from: SammyRose on November 17, 2013, 01:54:15 AM
It's normal for boobs to go through growth spurts... with preceding pain / itching. Guess it's their way of warning you about the extra clearance which will be needed :P.
Although since they're mostly fat, and the bits that hurt are the glands and ducts and things. I'm not really sure how the body knows *when* to put more fat in the boobs, or how that relates to the pain, but that seems to be how it works? Does anyone understand this moreso?
The body knows
everything. Like when you're growing taller, how does the body know to extend the bones
and the muscles?
And the nerves?
And the blood vessels? It just does, is all.
When we get on Estrogen, the body realizes "Oh hey, I need bewbies!" and it grows them, like it's supposed to.
The body is a marvelous...venue.
Quote from: Beth Andrea on November 17, 2013, 01:57:18 AM
The body knows everything. Like when you're growing taller, how does the body know to extend the bones and the muscles? And the nerves? And the blood vessels? It just does, is all.
This is such an interesting topic!. I'm not trying to derail the thread, but I believe some of this breaks down to maths and chemical reactions. Eg, you can calculate energy requirements, and things like base heart rate and cell metabolism etc, all from the mass of a person. So many fascinating facets to the body like this :). Some wonderful documentaries from the spunky Dr Brian Cox on the topic. :)
It's funny, my breasts were real sore & sensitive a week or so ago & now I feel nothing??? I'm on the same level of HRT & spiro. I wonder why the change? I'm adding finasteride to my HRT so we'll see if this helps?
Quote from: FrancisAnn on November 19, 2013, 10:48:34 PM
It's funny, my breasts were real sore & sensitive a week or so ago & now I feel nothing??? I wonder why the change?
I've gone through the same thing :) The pain and itchiness comes and goes
I'm no boob expert but I figure breasts go through cycles like most everything else, growth cycle, rest, growth cycle, rest etc.
Quote from: FrancisAnn on November 19, 2013, 10:48:34 PM
It's funny, my breasts were real sore & sensitive a week or so ago & now I feel nothing??? I'm on the same level of HRT & spiro. I wonder why the change?
Same here. But I
think I see a slight change in my nipples. Maybe... >.< Wish there was a constant indicator of growth and change! [Me throughout the day: *feel nipples through shirt*, *poke and push bewbs*, *lift up shirt and examine them*, *put shirt back down and sigh, and try to find something to distract myself*]
LOL!!!!! Go out somewhere and make them obvious - everyone tries to grab them for you, so you don't have to, lol!!
I've gone for a week or so without itching, then yesterday I resumed the progesterone cream (3 weeks on/1 week off)...
Now they're itchy again. ^-^
Quote from: Ms Grace on November 15, 2013, 04:28:11 PM
Great news! So what is Suprefact exactly? The closest I could get to figuring it out was that it was a hormone suppressant, which the name kind of implies.
Here was a good one
http://bodyandhealth.canada.com/drug_info_details.asp?brand_name_id=1420
basically, by maintaining a constant level of a gonadotropin releasing hormone in your system, it signals your gonads to stop producing primary sexual hormones. In the case of someone born with testis, they stop/slow production of testosterone.
Here was a generalized comparison of the two. There are far fewer studies done on Buserelin (Suprefact) but the side effects seem elevated. I'm going to assume the bleeding mentioned is nose bleeds due to it being a nasal spray, but still 50% seems very high even if it is only from the nose.
https://www.medify.com/treatments/compare/buserelin-vs-spironolactone