The available literature on progesterone (including the wiki here) doesn't give much detail on what it's effects are from an MtF perspective. Most of the information I have been able to find deals with the effects on the female reproductive system.
My question is: assume that someone is taking an average dose of estradiol, spiro and finasterid, but not progesterone. What are the expected consequences of adding progesterone into the mix?
Anecdotally, I've heard that there are two effects that are of interest to MtFs:
* Possible increase in breast growth.
* Calmness of mood.
Of course I realize everyone is different, YMMV, etc. I'm curious to know if folks have experienced other effects.
When I was on it it expands my nipples and made them fluffy like if that make sense
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It really seems to help with breast development, both size and shape. I think it works best starting after a year or two on E. As far as mood, I think I got more emotional. Extra tears. So I cycle 2 weeks on 2 weeks off.
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Skin and hair less dry. Breasts fuller and puffier, areolas larger. Feeling and looking more bloated. Increased appetite.
My finger nails got thicker, harder, and grow faster. They used to split and peel. Also, I 2nd the comments about the breast filling out: rounder/fuller, nipple and areola enlarging. My mood is also way better and calmer with my progy on board.
I started progesterone (Prometrium) about 6 weeks ago and I've been on Spiro and Estradiol for almost 11 months.
I don't cycle it, I take it every night before bed. I'm in KayXo's camp... cycling seems like an unnecessary torture.
Pros:
I have a much more positive outlook. I actually quit my Wellbutrin, as I'm feeling I don't need it so much any more.
My sex drive has returned! ..which is huge since it had crashed and my GF broke up with me.
I have a clearer mind... I am more focused and seem to be remembering things better now.
I feel like I have more energy now as well!
My breasts are getting rounder, firmer and my areolas are expanding.
My hair and nails are looking spectacular!
I've also noticed that my skin is healing faster. I used to have sporadic red spots from ingrown hairs as I epilate most of my body. It used to take a week or two for the red spots to disappear. Now they're gone in a few days!
Cons:
My appetite has increased...
I've put on a few pounds
I get an occasional pimple on face now, but nothing major. Before that, my face has been clear since starting HRT.
Makes me sleepy after taking the pill
I pee with the frequency of a pregnant woman
My pee smells kinda fishy (which leads to my crotch being the only part of me with an odor, but a daily shower keeps me pretty fresh)
Still waiting:
Some say it also supposed to make the butt bigger, but I haven't noticed any gains there yet...
Conclusion:
Overall, I'm very happy with the results of adding it to my regime and will fight my to keep it in there!
I took E without P for two years and then added P last September. [I did not use spironolactone (except for 2 months) because spiro gave me a bigger waist and smaller hips, pathologically dry skin and mouth, excessive urination, and life-threatening irregular heartbeats.] The changes I have seen that I can attribute to the progesterone are as follows:
-Significant increase in breast development, more than 2 cup sizes in just 6 months.
-Significant increase in appetite and sleepiness. I do eat and sleep more. I want to eat and sleep all the time when on P, and if I try to refuse to eat or sleep, it can actually make me quite aggressive. Otherwise, however, it gives me this overall calmness, that together with the uplifting effects of estrogen, gives me this positive "glowing" feeling inside, precisely the way I wanted to feel when I was younger but couldn't. I want to cuddle pillows and touch lace all the time for the first time since before puberty, which is so amazing to me because pillows and lace were my greatest childhood joys and I never thought I would get that back after testosterone poisoning.
-Initial weight gain, which was brought under control by exercise.
-Decreased energy; both positive and negative energy greatly diminished.
-Increased bloating, fullness, nausea, and reflux. Decreased pooping and increased urination.
-Hair and skin are sometimes softer and less dry, but not always. Nails actually grow now, but slowly, and still break.
-No changes to the butt. No changes to muscle tone. No changes to body measurements.
The only reason I take P is because my breasts want me to; they were tiny beforehand and it has really made a difference for me. I pass much better now because of my increased breast size.