I have been transitioning since 2009, been on low dose estradiol, spironolactone, and medroxy progesterone since then. After 7 years I still have not had a big change in body shape , or breast development. My doctors just increased both my estradiol and spironolactone, as my testosterone levels were on the high side, so on top of this, they ordered micronized progesterone.
My question is this, has anyone else been on progesterone with any results? I was in the medical field for 9yrs, and I am very up to date on the latest research done by the foremost doctors in the transgender field of study. I'm just looking for personal experience. Thank you all, I'm glad to be back.
I have been on HRT for about 18 months now with progesterone from the beginning. I have not had any negative side effects and all my blood tests come back nearly perfect in every measurement.
As for development, mine has been decent I think. In the side picture below from a few months ago something is changing. From the front I always think they look non-existent though.
I don't think there is anything to risk by taking progesterone and maybe a lot to gain.
Jan 2016, 12 months HRT, no bra (just a tight shirt)
(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi50.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Ff341%2Fdebbie7571%2FMobile%2520Uploads%2F855FD6E8-EB7B-44D0-8547-DC0E564EA0B4_zpsckjhfq9f.jpg&hash=decda181654f08a89f89c64f51be8f6585185577) (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/debbie7571/media/Mobile%20Uploads/855FD6E8-EB7B-44D0-8547-DC0E564EA0B4_zpsckjhfq9f.jpg.html)
I have been on HRT for 3 plus years. After year one I received a Promethium script. My T was around 22 to 36 ng/dl for a year then I went IM and it went to below 3 ng/dl. I am a full A. I do not know if progesterone helped. I have also had a little bit of fat gain around my hips but still none on my butt :(
Hi,
I believe that the risk usually associated with progesterone was based on older studies that included other confounding variables. Current research does support its use.
My current regime is an estrogen patch and I take a single estrogen valerate pill every morning. Blood levels for E are 250-325. I add progesterone for 10 days a month. I do not use it every day as I am 54 years old as there may be some incerased risk associated with its use in older women. I have been on this for 7 months. Prior to that, there was no progesterone and blood levels of E were highly variable for three years.
So, the change: OMG... I feel so much better. More energy. Significant breast tissue development, much larger breasts and nipples. (I actually need to go back for smaller implants). Better skin, some fat redistribution.
So, it really helped me. Good luck.
Hugs,
Jen
I took my first dose of micronized progesterone 4 hours ago, and two hours later , I feel like I could climb Mt. Everest. I also feel like I can think clearly again. I think this is finally progress in the right direction.
Quote from: KellsieLynne1 on July 30, 2016, 03:47:41 PM
I took my first dose of micronized progesterone 4 hours ago, and two hours later , I feel like I could climb Mt. Everest. I also feel like I can think clearly again. I think this is finally progress in the right direction.
Hi dear,
Progesterone has been absolutely wonderful for me. I've been on medical-grade HRT for over 2 years now, transitioning for 3 years. I haven't been able to afford progesterone all of my time on HRT, but most of the time I have.
Not all doctors are willing to prescribe progesterone, but many are.
I agree with your decision to take micronized progesterone. This is what I take currently, in high dose, but I am not permitted in this forum to disclose my doseage. This is a bio-identical form of progesterone with few known negative side-effects.
Another member just posted she has taken Prometrium. This is also bio-identical and therefore according to recent (last 5 to 10 years) studies free of nearly all negative side-effects.
Some doctors still prescribes Provera, which is a SYNTHETIC progesterone which according to many older studies from about 15 to 20 years ago, has some frequent major negative side effects. Many doctors still use it, and some trans ladies still like it. No way I would ever put Provera into my body, but this is the choice of oneself and one's doctor, for each person to choose.
A well-known side effect of natural bio-identical progesterone such as micronized progesterone and also Prometrium, is mild euphoria. So it is no surprise to me at all that you feel on top of the world.
Sometimes when I feel depressed I take an extra progesterone -- but I don't recommend others do this unless your doctor okays it.
Another well-known side effect of both micronized progesterone and Prometrium is mild sleepiness. I sometimes have to take a short nap about 45 minutes after taking my daily micronized progesterone, because it makes me sleepy.
And HAPPY !
Hugs,
Jennifer xx
Quote from: JLT1 on July 30, 2016, 11:11:43 AM
Hi,
I believe that the risk usually associated with progesterone was based on older studies that included other confounding variables. Current research does support its use.
My current regime is an estrogen patch and I take a single estrogen valerate pill every morning. Blood levels for E are 250-325. I add progesterone for 10 days a month. I do not use it every day as I am 54 years old as there may be some incerased risk associated with its use in older women. I have been on this for 7 months. Prior to that, there was no progesterone and blood levels of E were highly variable for three years.
So, the change: OMG... I feel so much better. More energy. Significant breast tissue development, much larger breasts and nipples. (I actually need to go back for smaller implants). Better skin, some fat redistribution.
So, it really helped me. Good luck.
Hugs,
Jen
Hi Jen, Yes the older studies of 15 to 20 years ago were done mostly with Provera, a synthetic progesterone with well-documented major negative side effects including depression. Now we benefit from more recent studies (last 5 to 10 years) which tell us that, as you say, no significant negative side effects. Specifically, this come from the 2 forms of bio-identical progesterone I have taken during my 2 years plus of medical-grade HRT:
micronized progesterone and Prometrium.
Hugs,
Jennifer xx
Personally I've never taken it, but I know of one trans woman who is a friend of mine that has had amazing results with it.
I haven't used in my 5 years of HRT but I plan to ask for it to replace my estrogen for the next 6 months. If anything happens then I guess I can be pro-Proestrogen but for now I have have developed great without it.
Quote from: LilDevilOfPrada on August 05, 2016, 07:16:34 AM
I haven't used in my 5 years of HRT but I plan to ask for it to replace my estrogen for the next 6 months. If anything happens then I guess I can be pro-Proestrogen but for now I have have developed great without it.
Progesterone is not a replacement for estrogen, it's simply another hormone that can be added to the mix.
Quote from: kelly_aus on August 05, 2016, 07:54:23 AM
Progesterone is not a replacement for estrogen, it's simply another hormone that can be added to the mix.
My endo only offers to have you on 1 at a time, good to know then I will try push to drop my E dosage for a little proe to be put in.
Quote from: LilDevilOfPrada on August 05, 2016, 09:02:16 AM
My endo only offers to have you on 1 at a time, good to know then I will try push to drop my E dosage for a little proe to be put in.
He does what? That's insane.. And well outside what is considered best practice.
Quote from: LilDevilOfPrada on August 05, 2016, 09:02:16 AM
My endo only offers to have you on 1 at a time, good to know then I will try push to drop my E dosage for a little proe to be put in.
I have known thousands of trans ladies when one includes on-line and in-person. I have known hundreds of trans ladies WELL between in-person and on-line. I've never heard of a doctor saying, "Only one HRT hormone at a time."
This makes no sense to me. HRT is about finding the right mix of hormones and balance and dosages.
Jennifer xx
Quote from: kelly_aus on August 05, 2016, 05:49:54 PM
He does what? That's insane.. And well outside what is considered best practice.
Agreed! Jennifer xx
Quote from: kelly_aus on August 05, 2016, 07:54:23 AM
Progesterone is not a replacement for estrogen, it's simply another hormone that can be added to the mix.
Triple underline that comment. Totally correct.
Jennifer xx
Quote from: JenniferLopezgomez on August 06, 2016, 12:06:41 AM
I have known thousands of trans ladies when one includes on-line and in-person. I have known hundreds of trans ladies WELL between in-person and on-line. I've never heard of a doctor saying, "Only one HRT hormone at a time."
This makes no sense to me. HRT is about finding the right mix of hormones and balance and dosages.
Jennifer xx
Thats well a first world statement welcome to the life a 3rd world trans women.
Today is day 8 on progesterone, (micronized) and I feel great. I am nowhere near as emotional as I was. I'm now more in control of my emotions, there has been a significant noticeable difference in breast development, and I am just able to process my thoughts easier than before. While my hormones were well within normal range, I had little breast development. I now have a noticeable impact on circumference and fullness of my breasts. I will continue to post on my results as time goes by.
Quote from: KellsieLynne1 on August 07, 2016, 07:33:33 AM
Today is day 8 on progesterone, (micronized) and I feel great. I am nowhere near as emotional as I was. I'm now more in control of my emotions, there has been a significant noticeable difference in breast development, and I am just able to process my thoughts easier than before. While my hormones were well within normal range, I had little breast development. I now have a noticeable impact on circumference and fullness of my breasts. I will continue to post on my results as time goes by.
Congratulations ! And please do post your continuing progress.
Jennifer xx