First of all, Happy Holidays everybody!
(Warning: there may be some triggers below)
I have a few question for you guys who either started on estrogen blockers or started with a very low dose of T. I found out my insurance will cover both so my gift to myself this year is to finally start my transition but I'm not sure which would be better to start out with. I have to transition very gradually because with the current state my family is in it would be dangerous to go all out with a full dose of T and have the changes happen too fast and too noticeably for now. Would it be better to start with an estrogen blocker? I know it causes certain things to stop but does it cause any other changes at all? If I did start on the lowest dose of T what could I expect as far as changes and when they may happen? Is it possible to take a blocker and a low dose of T at the same time so I could feel the effects of T but not have to wait for that time of the month to stop?
I appreciate any feedback.
The difficult thing about hormones is there's really no telling how a "low" or "regular" dose will affect you until you try it. Most doctors who regularly work with trans folks will start you off on a low dose to ease your body into it. But there's really no telling what your body will do from there. I was on a low dose for a month to start, and I had just as many changes as guys who started on a regular dose.
As far as blockers go - how old are you? These are primarily used to stop puberty, so that your body doesn't continue or start to feminize. If you are past puberty, they won't really do anything for you other than stop your period and drop your estrogen levels down. No masculinizing changes. Testosterone by itself will do both of those things within about three months of starting it. I have also heard that they are very expensive.
So - it really depends what you want and what you think you can reasonably get away with, with your family. If your period bothers you the most and blockers are covered by your insurance, then they may be worth pursuing. Especially since it may take longer for a period to stop on a low dose of testosterone. As far as T and dosing, the only sure way to see what it'll do for you is to try it. You can always cut back your dose.
I also think it would depend how long you intend to keep it a secret. It's tougher for FTMs to hide the changes that are taking place. A voice drop could be disguised as a cold - but excess body hair, developing facial hair? Signs of something going on hormonally. I don't know what your situation is like, but I'd urge you to take a look over the list of changes that testosterone induces, and figure out how you intend to explain them without outing yourself. I'd say you'd have 3-6 months probably before someone notices that something is going on with you. Less if they're nosy.
And speaking of nosy folks, make a plan for hiding your medicine. When you think of T, most people just think of the single dose for the week/two weeks. But once a quarter, I come home with a big bag from the pharmacy of T and syringes. They've got to go somewhere. Used needles have to be disposed of properly as well. Syringe wrappers, alcohol swabs, and bandaids all generate some trash.
Not intending to turn you off the course you're on, just want to give you as much to think about as possible before you take the leap. Feel free to PM me if you need any advice.
I hide t from my family, but like someone mentioned above, I had a nosy family member. Anyways. I had a mini safe and put my t in there with everything else. My cycles stoped after the first month. I'm one of the lucky ones. Also I'm on a low dose every two weeks. It hasn't changed either and I've been on it for a year now. My Dr said I can up it if I want but ill keep it this way for now. Especially since my cycles stoped while on this dose. I was forced to move out because my step dad didn't feel comfortable I guess... I really don't know he just made me leave 3 months in.
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Thanks for the replies.
I'm well enough beyond puberty where the blockers wouldn't have much of an effect other than stopping the periods but those are horrible for me so that's the main reason I was considering blockers anyway, especially since I kind of figured a low dose may not be enough stop them. I would much rather just start T but realistically I'm not ready to let anyone in my family know I'm transitioning yet and it could be a few years until I am. I don't live with my family but I have to interact with them often enough that it would be dangerous for them to find out.
My therapist suggested either trying blockers to stop the periods or trying a low dose of T to see how it will effect me mentally and emotionally. I guess it would be a trial run under her supervision. My dysphoria has been so achingly bad that I would welcome any changes I had until I could go on taking T more permanently. A trail run would sort of tide me over and let me see if and when I want to continue T. My only problem is that my voice is already on the deeper side and my features are androgynous so I worry that even a low dose will masculinize me too quickly. But I guess the only way to know what it will do is to try it and find out.
I have my own place so it wouldn't be a problem to store the T and the supplies for it even though having a safe is a good idea and I've been planning on getting one for other things.
I have an appointment set up to get all of my blood work done so I'll see where I go from there. I may try a low dose of T for 3 months then decide if it's safe to continue.
Quote from: FTMax on December 25, 2015, 08:04:53 PM
The difficult thing about hormones is there's really no telling how a "low" or "regular" dose will affect you until you try it. Most doctors who regularly work with trans folks will start you off on a low dose to ease your body into it. But there's really no telling what your body will do from there. I was on a low dose for a month to start, and I had just as many changes as guys who started on a regular dose.
This. A lot of it comes down to genetics and biological response.