Does anyone have thoughts about starting HRT herbally? I've begun taking flax seed each day as I've read that it's a natural T inhibitor. Does anyone know if anything herbal that might increase estrogen?
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I don't know about flax seed lowering T but it is an excellent thing to eat daily for health with its omega-3 and fiber. I eat 2 tbsp on my salad every day. Make sure you are grinding it first as the seed is not digestible when it's whole.
If you want something natural that contains E then soy products may be prepared in a wide variety of ways.
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Spearmint and Peppermint will lower your T and DHT.
It will make your skin super soft too.
Hops can also be used as a phyto-estrogen.
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Thank you. I'll try those. They must work for you - you're lovely. Let's see what they'll do for an older gal! Do you recommend any brand on particular?
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Quote from: SarahFehrman on February 25, 2018, 09:49:25 AM
Thank you. I'll try those. They must work for you - you're lovely. Let's see what they'll do for an older gal! Do you recommend any brand on particular?
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I use fresh leaves and eat them.
Nana = Spearmint
Mentha Pipperata = Peppermint
I buy mine in dried leaf form.
Peppermint and Spearmint in candy form will not work.
It will lower your T and DHT.
You also need hops. Hops will bring feminization effects.
I myself do not use hops anymore but I still use Spearmint and Peppermint in concert with pharma HRT.
Thanks for the compliment :-)
X
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While many herbs contain anti androgen or estrogen the levels are low and you have to take a great deal to achieve a significant effect. Additionally, some herbs have been tested somewhat with women and menopause none have been researched in the area of transgender. Another aspect of the herbal hormones is that the levels of available hormone is inconsistent and in some instances varies according to where it is grown. The side effects are not clear either. Please use caution and consider staying with a good physician.
Thank you, Briah.
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Flax seed and soy milk works to a minimal effect. Though if you want to physically transition there really is no substitute for HRT.
:police: Discussion of legal herbal medication is okay as long as you do not advocate a specific regime or discuss dosages. It is highly recommended that if you are going to try these you do it with your doctor's approval. This thread has been edited to comply with our site's
Site Terms of Service & Rules to Live By (https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,2.0.html) and
Membership Agreement (https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,216851.0.html) :police:
Quote8. The discussion of hormone replacement therapy(HRT) and it's medications are permitted, with the following limitations:
A. You may not advocate for or against a specific medication or combinations of medication for personal gain. This is strictly prohibited.
B. You may not discuss the means to acquire HRT medications without a prescription. The discussion of self medication without a doctor's supervision is prohibited.
C. The posting of recommended, or actual dosages, is strongly discouraged to prevent information obtained on this site from being used to self medicate.
We cannot in good conscience condone the self administering of these medications. Not only may self medication be illegal, but HRT medications can cause serious health problems, and many have the potential for life-threatening side effects that can only be detected and prevented with proper medical supervision.
Flax seed, soy products, saw palmetto and many others are available in pharmacies and health food stores as herbal supplements. While they may have some benefit in treating very mild post menopause symptoms, most of us women who have transitioned, generally consider the herbals to be weak and ineffective for the purpose of fully transitioning.
I have been drinking Spearmint tea for about 7 weeks now and I can definately feel the difference in my skin. It feels much softer, especially my cheeks. It's supposed to help with body hair slowing and maybe it has but I have not really noticed much difference. I drink about 7 mugs a day and rarely drink anything else now. I use Palanquin which I get from Amazon.
Apparently, only spearmint has the anti-androgen qualities. peppermint does not.
Interesting about the flax seeds. Have to look into that!
Vicky x
Hi Sarah, one thing to note is when I started hrt, my endo made it clear that using herbal substances could interfere with the new meds and to stop immediately if I was.
Jess
For everyone who says herbals are a waste of money: Read 'em and weep. Here's what three years of supplements did for me.
(https://www.susans.org/forums/gallery/0/13844-270218122631.jpeg)
Quote from: VickyS on February 27, 2018, 08:57:38 AM
I have been drinking Spearmint tea for about 7 weeks now and I can definately feel the difference in my skin. It feels much softer, especially my cheeks. It's supposed to help with body hair slowing and maybe it has but I have not really noticed much difference. I drink about 7 mugs a day and rarely drink anything else now. I use Palanquin which I get from Amazon.
Apparently, only spearmint has the anti-androgen qualities. peppermint does not.
Interesting about the flax seeds. Have to look into that!
Vicky x
anyone with kidney issues or prone to it should not do spearmint regularly. It is not good for kidneys.
Quote from: Devlyn Marie on February 27, 2018, 12:31:23 PM
For everyone who says herbals are a waste of money: Read 'em and weep. Here's what three years of supplements did for me.
Wow! 8)
Quote from: Devlyn Marie on February 27, 2018, 12:31:23 PM
For everyone who says herbals are a waste of money: Read 'em and weep. Here's what three years of supplements did for me.
(https://www.susans.org/forums/gallery/0/13844-270218122631.jpeg)
Not a waste of money. I also had some success with herbals before I got on to hrt (because I wanted the safety net of the blood tests). I find HRT makes it easier to eat more of what I want as a lot of what I did was based on diet.
Quote from: Devlyn Marie on February 27, 2018, 12:31:23 PM
For everyone who says herbals are a waste of money: Read 'em and weep. Here's what three years of supplements did for me.
If herbals work for you, then good for you.
However, for every report of herbals doing good, I am sure there are dozens of less than effective reports out there. No, I did not count them up. My opinions are just mine and based on my professional experience as a Pharmacist. I still say that bio-identical Estradiol and some T and DHT blockers are your best, most effective method of feminizing in the shortest amount of time.
As always, since we are all unique individuals, some of us may have different results for many different reasons.
I don't mean to contradict anyone who has had personal successes that they attribute to herbal supplements but I really hope people new to the scene understand no respectable doctor would 'prescribe' them. They are unregulated, unproven, and unpredictable.
I did my homework and took only supplements that ARE regulated.
Completely off topic, but I love the new avatar, Deborah. Pretty girl. :)
Hugs, Devlyn
Quote from: Devlyn Marie on February 27, 2018, 07:04:25 PM
Completely off topic, but I love the new avatar, Deborah. Pretty girl. :)
Hugs, Devlyn
Thank you!
I took herbals too once for several years and did get some physical results. The negatives though are they didn't really have any effect on my mind like regular HRT has and I was taking such dosages that I was getting bad migraine headaches every day.
The mind effect of HRT, at least for me, cannot be understated. It seems to have fixed what nothing else could.
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Quote from: Devlyn Marie on February 27, 2018, 12:31:23 PM
For everyone who says herbals are a waste of money: Read 'em and weep. Here's what three years of supplements did for me.
(https://www.susans.org/forums/gallery/0/13844-270218122631.jpeg)
Really? just one word. WOW!! You look absolutely amazing!
Quote from: Faith on February 27, 2018, 12:37:23 PM
anyone with kidney issues or prone to it should not do spearmint regularly. It is not good for kidneys.
Bugger. I knew there would be a downside! Mind you as far as I know, my kidneys are healthy. I have never had any issues with them... Thanks for the warning though!
I'm only doing the herbal thing as it's going to take years before I can hack through the NHS system and get on HRT. I thought any little help is greatly appreciated!! Once I start on HRT I would stop the herbals.
Vicky, that's pretty much what my doctor said. After the bloodwork she was interested in the supplement I was taking because I had breasts but negligible estradiol in my system and testosterone well below normal male range. I handed my hormone levels over to her at that point. :)
Full disclosure, I've been on prescription HRT for the last year, but most of the change had already happened.
Hugs, Devlyn
Well, that's completely blown me away!! Incredible!
To paraphrase "I'll have some of what she's having!!!" ;D ;D lol.
I have been taking some herbals in the last 3 months and notice a big difference in body shape. I take b12, black cohosh, flax seed, fenugreek, saw palmetto, and biotin to name a few. As per diet, I eat - I try to eat healthy and high in protein. For the last 5 weeks I have been eating predominantly Soylent.
Got a bigger booty and chest. Though I had a butt to start off with. Gained a lot of... chest mass lol. I or does feel weird as I have these very small breasts over my pecs. I'm only taking herbals because I take other vitamins and minerals for being healthier.
Other things I have noticed is my hair. My hair grew past my ears from starting at a high and tight in only 3 months. Now when I shave I feel colder and my skin is softer. My hands are still rough but I can see the skin is getting healthier and more elastic. Lastly, I have craving more sweet foods over savory 'guy foods. I'm sure down of this is all in my head but I'm all for herbal as a way to get healthier and as a step before actual HRT. Just don't safely and mileage may vary.
Same here. They do work but, I got tired of worrying about my liver. lol
Hopefully I will have my meds by late next week.
Before you look at these next pictures I am not responsible for anyone vomiting on your keyboards. :)
Me in 2015 before any exercise or herbs 165lbs
Black lines are because I dont know the rules on images completely. Just to be safe
(https://i.imgur.com/su0nDW5.jpg)
Me last week after 2.8 years on nothing but herbs, lots of water and exercise 145lbs
(https://i.imgur.com/wEUTQTZ.jpg)
I still have a loooong way to go but , Its an improvement I think.
Hugs,
Chelsea
Wow
Devin and Chelsea—Nice job
While I put out the caution, I know that herbals are effective for some people but to varying degrees. My concern is that the research is not good for transgender dosages. The other thing that I am glad to see is that people are recognizing that herbals can have side effects too. Remember anything that has estrogen can result in the same side effects.
In full disclosure I am doing some herbals along with finesteride. I have some changes but I am doing very low dose. It has been about 6 months.
Quote from: Briah on March 02, 2018, 02:48:33 PM
Devin and Chelsea—Nice job
In full disclosure I am doing some herbals along with finesteride. I have some changes but I am doing very low dose. It has been about 6 months.
Thank you Briah.
I didn't notice any changes until about the 7 month mark taking a lot. After that it was steady. I done a lot of homework
before I started them. Also I would stop using them a week out of every month to give my liver a break. I stopped
taking them last week because I go for blood work in a few days to start HRT. :)
Chelsea
Thank you, Briah.I agree with everyone that there are risks and concerns. I just like to point out that everyone will have a different experience, just like prescription HRT, which has risks and concerns as well. Too often I see blanket statements that herbals don't work. Too often the statements are made by someone who did no reseach and has no experience with using herbals.
I took them because I didn't think the system would let someone who didn't identify as a woman to obtain HRT. I was wrong, but for many of our members this is still true. I post so people can see there are options if the system won't help them, or if they choose not to access the system.
Hugs, Devlyn
Quote from: Devlyn Marie on February 27, 2018, 12:31:23 PM
For everyone who says herbals are a waste of money: Read 'em and weep. Here's what three years of supplements did for me.
(https://www.susans.org/forums/gallery/0/13844-270218122631.jpeg)
Devlyn, have you not done any HRT or had implants at all? While I want HRT, I want to start slowly and as naturally as possible. You're gorgeous (as I've noted elsewhere).
XO
Sarah
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I've been on HRT a year now, but I looked like that when I walked in the doctor's office. I've had very little change in the last twelve months. No implants, no grafts, just an orchiectomy.
Hugs, Devlyn
You are inspiring!
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Quote from: VickyS on February 27, 2018, 08:57:38 AM
I have been drinking Spearmint tea for about 7 weeks now and I can definately feel the difference in my skin. It feels much softer, especially my cheeks. It's supposed to help with body hair slowing and maybe it has but I have not really noticed much difference. I drink about 7 mugs a day and rarely drink anything else now. I use Palanquin which I get from Amazon.
Apparently, only spearmint has the anti-androgen qualities. peppermint does not.
Interesting about the flax seeds. Have to look into that!
Vicky x
Interesting!
I am in no position in my life to transition, but I have started putting some mint tea in my diet (it's a combination of spearmint and peppermint, but I'm looking to get spearmint alone), but to be honest the main thing that spurred me was my libido, which I don't want. I read up on spearmint tea and then began thinking "Oh hey, this actually reduces my T levels to do that - YAY."
At this point I'm only really fitting one glass per day in, though. I'm not a big fan of tea and would rather drink water. Although today I fit in a glass at an irregular time and am going to have another glass at my normal evening time. I'm hoping to see some effects! I've been drinking it (just one glass a day, though, as I said) for two weeks now.
My apologies, I do not mean to hijack your topic, Sarah!