Hey guys,
I heard it was recommended to have a period once a year on T if you still have those parts. Has anyone heard anything like this? I heard that we stop ovulating on T, now I hear that we should have a period once a year to get rid of all the unshed blood build up.
What's the truth? I'm going to ask my endo, but my appointment's not for a few months and I haven't found anything online.
Anybody know?
Thanks.
once ovulation stops, the blood doesnt build up any more. the blood building up is your body's preparation to carry a baby if you become pregnant. once everything shuts down, your body isnt going to sit in waiting to spontaneously have a baby.
I still have them and I started T in May 08. Not regular though!
Jay
I'd never heard of this until I moved to SF, where my doctor wanted me to sign a release saying I'd consent to an annual injection of progesterone to enduce a period. I refused.
From what I've deduced through conversations with my old doctor, the 'new' protocol is to either get a hysterectomy w/in 5 yrs and/or have 1 period annually.
I'd rather have the hysto.
If that is the case then I will be moving my Hysto up, I never want to have a period again.
Myles
Um... how the hell would a single shot of progesterone induce a period? Anyone here who's been on T for a few years without a hysterectomy?
This seems really strange to me, as I agree with Josh... wouldn't your periods ceasing mean you were done with that altogether?
SD
Quote from: myles on September 14, 2009, 12:26:49 PM
If that is the case then I will be moving my Hysto up, I never want to have a period again.
Myles
Thats where I am going at the moment.
I have also never heard of having a shot to bring you "on" here. But they do, do things differently in the US. My periods are often warned and are short and light they aren't every week. I guess it depends on how much T is in my system at the time..
Jay
Quote from: Sebastien on September 14, 2009, 12:34:32 PM
Um... how the hell would a single shot of progesterone induce a period? Anyone here who's been on T for a few years without a hysterectomy?
This seems really strange to me, as I agree with Josh... wouldn't your periods ceasing mean you were done with that altogether?
SD
Like I said, I couldn't get a medically substantiated reason for this practice being done, so I didn't allow it to be.
Seems strange to me too. I was on T for four years before my hysto and no periods. The guy who did my surgery didn't say anything about thinking that should happen. Good thing, too, or I'd have performed my own hysto with a swiss army knife if that was the option.
Dennis
I had one period while on T and the rage it induced was horrific. I had a hysto the next month. It was bad enough getting it while having to live in F mode. Having a period as a male just wasn't gonna fly.
Jay
I'm not shooting myself with progesterone to induce a period until I am given very substantial (documented, studied) medical reason to do so.
Quote from: Eryk on September 14, 2009, 11:23:36 PM
I'm not shooting myself with progesterone to induce a period until I am given very substantial (documented, studied) medical reason to do so.
exactly.
4th'd
Quote from: Sebastien on September 14, 2009, 12:34:32 PM
Um... how the hell would a single shot of progesterone induce a period? Anyone here who's been on T for a few years without a hysterectomy
4 yrs in november. I'm gonna have a hysto next yr. didnt do it b4 b/c I didnt have the money 4 it. my insurance doestn cover it.
Quote from: Eryk on September 14, 2009, 11:23:36 PM
I'm not shooting myself with progesterone to induce a period until I am given very substantial (documented, studied) medical reason to do so.
Yep. :icon_dance: :icon_dance: :icon_dance:
fifthed o.O
I am number six.
No wait..... that's not right....
Regardless - I concur. They can take that needle of chick stuff and go shove it in someone else.
I still fail to comprehend how anyone could be duped into doing such a thing, or how it could possibly have any medical relevance. How would a shot of progesterone, when you've been on testosterone for months, perhaps years, induce a period in the absence of substantial estrogen, especially when your ovulation has terminated? Sure, you still have eggs, and you still have ovaries (at least, in the hypothetical case in this discussion). But the self-cleaning feature of the female reproductive system should take care of any residual buildup that may have occurred subsequent to the last formal menstruation, I would assume, thus negating any need for subsequent periods.
Sorry... I realize we've concluded it makes no sense, but I'm still puzzling over how a "medical professional" could promote such a strange practice.
SD
If you'd like to investigate the WTF, I'll gladly share contact info and maybe you'll get farther than I did.
Quote from: Sebastien on September 15, 2009, 03:04:47 PM
But the self-cleaning feature of the female reproductive system should take care of any residual buildup that may have occurred subsequent to the last formal menstruation, I would assume, thus negating any need for subsequent periods.
Self-cleaning? I didn't know it did that... you mean whatever lining that may have formed since the last menstruation will be reabsorbed by the body? Or does it just end up shedding in small amounts through the normal exit path?
Y'know, if medical professionals are worried about that lining staying in the uterus for long periods of time, it is possible to check if it is actually there or not. An ultrasound would give that information. It is not pleasant, because that particular ultrasound requires a phallic-looking rod to be inserted. I had that ultrasound done a couple weeks after starting T and after having my last 'formal menstruation' (I think I like that term). The technician noted that there was a layer of tissue there, but it hasn't shed yet--formally or in smaller, lighter episodes.
The vagina is self-cleaning; that's the purpose of the normal, usually clear, vaginal discharge the vast majority of female-bodied folk experience. The uterus typically only sheds its lining during menstruation, but there are certain things that can cause it to shed otherwise, such as hormonal imbalance or, in some cases, orgasm (because orgasms often include uterine contractions that open the cervix wider and allow access in/out of the uterus). I can't imagine it would be any more harmful for an ftm to have a uterus but never have a period again than for a post-menopausal woman to do the same... and I've never heard of post-menopausal women having to have progesterone shots. I realize menopause marks the cessation of menses in concert with basically running out of eggs, but that last menstruation, I would assume, wouldn't be much different from what guys on T have.
SD
If you were 100% certain you weren't ovulating that would be true, however can you be 100% certain just from taking testosterone shots that appear to be resulting in the cessation of ovulation? No you cant. This is probably why the medical profession is getting a bit "banana nut bread" over making sure you have atleast an annual menstral cycle, for the same reasons women on birth control must stop taking it for a time I'd imagine.
Its still stupid. Theyre basically basing universal treatment on a rare phenomenon which might lead to cancer/infection. Also, I dont think one injection of Progesterone would work in many cases, and even if it did the fluctuation in hormone levels would be far more dangerous than the risk you might develop cancer or endometriosis (as if Progest wouldnt AGGRAVATE this condition) from excess unshed endometrium.
HOWEVER, if any of you taking Test want to have children as women in the future, IE youre unsure about transitioning, or you're very odd for a man in your thinking, you should do something like this. It would definitely help preserve your reproductive function. Be aware though, that messing with your hormones like that will be physically harmful hands down. You could even go into shock. It would be a better idea to just stop taking Test, or wind down on it over several months, and then pick up some slow "female" therapy, maybe.