In a conversation with my endo recently, she mentioned that some girls are happy just on spironolactone. Is there anyone here who can attest to this, and if so, are the feminizing effects of just removing the testosterone from the system significant or merely mildly androgynizing?
I was started out on Spiro alone at the start of HRT and found it had a profound feminizing effect, at least on me. Just on Spiro my male libido went bye bye and I formed nipple budding. My skin also started to get softer and I found I needed to use a moisturizer often. My body hair seemed to become less course as well. I don't know if anyone else here had the same though. It also calmed the rage in my head and allowed me to calm down a LOT. :)
Funny, before Spiro I hardly ever had to pee. Now OMG, Niagara Falls! ;D
Quote from: Jessica Merriman on May 20, 2014, 03:21:39 PM
I found I needed to use a moisturizer often.
So you NEEDED to use one? sorry i just though we wouldnt need to moisturize as often..
Quote from: ButterflyVickster on May 20, 2014, 03:29:29 PM
So you NEEDED to use one?
At least with me. My skin went from oily to dry all the time. Closed up my pores though and makeup looks a whole lot better applied now! Yay!
I was started on estrogen first, Spiro was introduced at the following consultation. Personally I needed to know my body had a dose of E floating about in it.
Spiro is also a diuretic, why would account for the increase need to pee and the drier skin. So make sure to drink more fluids, preferably water not caffeinated drinks or booze (also strong diuretics!). My doc said Spiro would also help to counter the tendency for the estrogen drugs to retain fluid in the body - so if your on Spiro only you might need to watch you don't become dehydrated? Spiro is also blood pressure medication, so be careful if your BP is normal or low.
The other thing - as I understand it, someone correct me if I'm wrong - the body needs to have some form of sex hormone otherwise osteoporosis could be the end result (often a reason cis women start HRT after menopause). If you're only on an anti-androgen then long term you won't have T and your natural E levels may not be high enough. Anyway, maybe ask about it.
Quote from: Ms Grace on May 20, 2014, 04:01:10 PM
the tendency for the estrogen drugs to retain fluid in the body
I think this is more likely to occur if taken orally because of the effect it has on angiotensinogen. And even more likely with non bio-identical estrogen like ethinyl estradiol and premarin. But, yea, i think the tendency in general is to increase water retention. I also read that progesterone has a diuretic effect, much like Spiro so helps counter E's effects AND eating a lot of carbs will tend to increase sodium retention because of the effect of increased insulin secretion, so more water retention too. Just thought I'd add this little bit of info in case anyone was interested. ;)
Quote from: Ms GraceThe other thing - as I understand it, someone correct me if I'm wrong - the body needs to have some form of sex hormone otherwise osteoporosis could be the end result (often a reason cis women start HRT after menopause). If you're only on an anti-androgen then long term you won't have T and your natural E levels may not be high enough. Anyway, maybe ask about it.
I agree. And other symptoms of not enough sex hormones due to only taking an anti-androgen could be depression/anxiety/irritability, hot flashes, low energy, insomnia, all the menopausal/pms symptoms. Not good but as always discuss with your endo.