Hello, so I'm 21years old and am considering taking t-blockers for the next couple years until I finish schooling. I would be going stealthy for the meantime which is why I wouldn't be taking estrogen yet. My question is how are the effects of just t-blockers? Since I would not have estrogen to give me some form of energy, will I be depleted of energy with just t-blockers? Thank you
Its my understanding that you will feel the effects of menopause. I noticed upon starting HRT that I felt fatigued. People explained to me that this is a result of my T levels dropping and my body not being used to E. It started to get better, but then I was supposed to up the dose and same thing happened again. I'm guessing it will hit you worse if you aren't replacing it with anything.
You probably feel more fatigue when you take a T blocker, yes.
Andropause is what happens when T levels drop, menopause is when E levels drop.
Personally I would say dropping T levels first is a good idea, because estrogen can amplify the andropause symptoms dramatically, the andropause symptoms are also most active when testosterone is on the decline, and dropping T levels really fast is not a good idea, because that will cause you to have more symptoms, so slower is better, but once T levels have been dropped for so long the symptoms will drop to, my doctor told me he would have done it this way if I had got to him before self medicating, always get a doctors advice before taking anything.
Anti androgens some times, for some people, cause something called Gynecomastia (male breast growth) some get full on feminine boobs, while others will end up with man boobs, but it depends on the person, but this doesn't happen to everyone that uses an anti androgen for monotherapy.
If you do decide to do this, be shore to have some estrogen near by, so if boobs begin to develop you can avoid the possibility of the dreaded man boobs.
O and I forgot, if you take an anti androgen pair it with an alpha blocker like dutaseride or finasteride to block testosterones metabolites, DHT type 1 and 2, but finasteride will only block type 2, dutasteride will tackle both.
Quote from: Clhoe G on December 12, 2014, 01:50:50 PMestrogen can amplify the andropause symptoms dramatically, the andropause symptoms
I disagree as far as estrogen goes because it will reduce T but also replace exactly what is lost so that you won't feel the effects much, if at all! Changes will be felt for sure, a different, less intense libido, less strength, etc...but overall, if E is taken alone, it will replace the T that is lost due to E.
The problem is more with anti-androgens because they inhibit T and you end up with low levels of both E and T, leading to uncomfortable symptoms and serious ones long-term. Bicalutamide will raise your E actually, also Spiro, I think, but to a lesser degree but will it be enough to compensate for the loss of T?...perhaps, perhaps not.
Quote from: Clhoe G on December 12, 2014, 01:59:52 PM
O and I forgot, if you take an anti androgen pair it with an alpha blocker like dutaseride or finasteride to block testosterones metabolites, DHT type 1 and 2, but finasteride will only block type 2, dutasteride will tackle both.
Not absolutely necessary for everyone, I think. Depends. Especially useful for those predisposed to balding...but otherwise, not sure...And it might lead to a lowering of allopregnanolone levels leading to anxiety possibly in a few people but the body is also good at adapting, thus becoming more sensitive to alloP due to lower levels and maintaining a sort of homeostasis.
My opinion...
Quote from: KayXo on December 12, 2014, 02:50:43 PM
I disagree as far as estrogen goes because it will reduce T but also replace exactly what is lost so that you won't feel the effects much, if at all! Changes will be felt for sure, a different, less intense libido, less strength, etc...but overall, if E is taken alone, it will replace the T that is lost due to E.
The problem is more with anti-androgens because they inhibit T and you end up with low levels of both E and T, leading to uncomfortable symptoms and serious ones long-term. Bicalutamide will raise your E actually, also Spiro, I think, but to a lesser degree but will it be enough to compensate for the loss of T?...perhaps, perhaps not.
Your forgetting age as a factor, as a young person bicalutamide is a perfect choice for mono therapy, the potential increase in estrogen or more so the unopposed amount naturally produced, is the reason for the side effect Gynecomastia (male breast growth), which only happens to some, But it's important to remember, without the interference of testosterone or DHT, on breast growth if it does happen, the effects won't be so masculinized, and by having estrogen ready for if this happens is a good idea, being that estrogen will be added unapposed, so it is best to assume the worst n not have DHT flooring about, in the case of breast growth, plus the idea of estrogen monotherapy is frankly stupid n a waist of money, while estrogen does reduce T levels, which I remember in another topic you disagreed with me when I said it, estrogen will only end up being greatly apposed with a beginners dose, n have very little effect on testosterone, unless it's at a high dose, at which point it will have feminizing effects, which is dangerous for beginners, and will most likely go greatly apposed, resulting in a more masculine feminization, and in this case feminizing is not ideal, it's to begin, in secret.
Also you should know the emotional symptoms of andropause can be increased with estrogen considering estrogen hightens emotional response.
Jessica, whatever you do it should be done with full medical supervision. I certainly hope you aren't considering self medication as that can cause you plenty of unforeseen complications. Without a sex hormone you run the risk of developing osteoporosis but a doctor or endocrinologist will tell you that.
Quote from: Ms Grace on December 12, 2014, 04:10:14 PM
Jessica, whatever you do it should be done with full medical supervision. I certainly hope you aren't considering self medication as that can cause you plenty of unforeseen complications. Without a sex hormone you run the risk of developing osteoporosis but a doctor or endocrinologist will tell you that.
This is true, you must tell your doctor exactly what you use.
Even tho bicalutamide monotherapy is use by cancer patients for years sometimes, it's always done under medical supervision, even at your age.
so yes if your buying online you need to tell your doctor, I often refer to this as assisted self medicating, and it's the only way buying online should EVER be done, plus you doctor is bound by law not to share you medical information, so your secret will be safe, and your every day doctor will be able to refer you to an endocrinologist and any other monitoring you might need, they will even help you out with the appropriate doses for you, as doses can differ from person to person, IT'S DANGEROUS TO SELF MEDICATE, especially with anti androgens, they have many potential side effects n they can get nasty real quick.
I'd say it's a really bad idea. If you take antiandrogens without estrogen I expect you'll get osteoporosis, which you really don't want. You can search for that, its been discussed before.
Low does estrogen has been pretty effective for me in controlling my feelings for a few years, although not anymore. I keep a light beard/stubble and people don't notice any difference.
If you're going down this path because you don't want to transition yet, I don't think its gets any easier once you start working. I'm not sure since I'm much older, and now it really is a lot more difficult.
Quote from: AnonyMs on December 12, 2014, 04:45:49 PM
I'd say it's a really bad idea. If you take antiandrogens without estrogen I expect you'll get osteoporosis, which you really don't want. You can search for that, its been discussed before.
Low does estrogen has been pretty effective for me in controlling my feelings for a few years, although not anymore. I keep a light beard/stubble and people don't notice any difference.
If you're going down this path because you don't want to transition yet, I don't think its gets any easier once you start working. I'm not sure since I'm much older, and now it really is a lot more difficult.
Any HRT does get more n more dangerous with age, but Jessica, don't fall into complacency n think it won't happen to you because your young, accidental death is much higher for young people because we tend to think like that, please be shore to get a doctor first, or at least ask your doctor to help you out with it, if your buying online, like all those sites recommend, it's great advice.
Sorry for harping on, but I can't stress enough how important it is for your health.
Don't worry everybody, I would never consider self-medicating. I am aware that this is very dangerous. I plan on doing this the right way, and I'm still in the process of going to therapy. Seeing a doctor for meds would be in the future to come. Thanks for the concern by the way.
Sorry if I worried anyone, I should have been more specific on my question. I might be looking a bit too far into the future, but I was curious of the effects I would go through. Thanks for all your answers :)