Quote from: Annah on September 20, 2012, 02:30:54 AM
herbal hormones has been hotly debated. Personally, I find no evidence how herbal hormones can altar the gender of a person.

This is not about gender Annah, it is about hairloss.

Quote from: brc on September 20, 2012, 03:26:40 AM
This is not about gender Annah, it is about hairloss.

I beg to differ.

The thread started about HRT and voice, then about passing, then to hair loss. So, in a sense, the subject matter is all over the place in this thread...it just depends on what time of the day you read the thread.

For Firekat: Do you have medical Insurance? If you do, see your doctor about the possibility of Avodart. I took Avodart and I went from very little hair to a bushy full head of hair in a little less than 2 years. With insurance, I did not pay much. 11 dollars a month.

Without insurance, the generics are 40 a month.

Quote from: Annah on September 20, 2012, 05:02:11 AM
I beg to differ.

I will re-phrase it then: That particular question was not about hormones, but hairloss.

Okay... I renamed the topic, simple fix, I apologize. I was overzealous.

If you are serious about not having hair loss, I wouldn't depend on herbals. I was on finasteride for about 10 months or so, saw a major reduction in body hair but I also started feeling depressed which I have never been in my life. When I quit I also noticed my vision was clearer, like a fog was lifted. Colors were brighter etc. I know not everyone would have this reaction but I did (I do seem to by hyper-sensitive to meds and have oddball side effects). No idea on avodart, it might be the way to go on this.

These herbal ones -might- do something but I wouldn't count on it. They likely would have less side effects but again, if they are actually doing something, they can have side effects too.

I actually asked a doctor about finasteride but he outright refused because of potential side effects (though given he put me on zoloft, and after 3 doses I had 8 out of like 9 of the possible side effects of that, so... yeah.)

Now that you are talking about dutasteride / avodart... How long before the first side effects? It's been a week still nothing. No decrease in libido, pain, different sperm, etc... Currently using Dutas from Dr Reddy's (I wanted to get avodart, but the card payment system in Pharmacy Network is down). I wonder if it is fake or what. I can't buy even generics on pharmacies, so I have to resort to internet (the site at least it is legit and with good reviews).

BTW dermatologist ->-bleeped-<-ed me nicely. "Finasteride will do you great, don't worry about the side effects,  just a bit of libido decrease."They sent me to get some blood tests prior to finas, and after getting them...  "We won't be able to attend you and check the results until five months later". Oh, and it is not covered by social security.


Are you kidding me? So, self medicating myself, there is no other way around if i want to try and keep the hair until therapy advances. It is on a dangerous level of thinning.

Quote from: Crt.rnA on September 20, 2012, 12:53:56 PM


Are you kidding me? So, self medicating myself, there is no other way around if i want to try and keep the hair until therapy advances. It is on a dangerous level of thining.

Exactly what I'm trying to be wary of; blatant self-medication.  Teas and a change of diet on the other hand, I don't mind trying. I know tea, at least, is basically the same thing, but I'm sure the effects of said spearmint tea for instance are much safer than some of the potential side effects of highly concentrated doses of herbs (gelcaps, etc). At least, that is my thinking. That said, I'd heard of Green Tea having a similar effect, is this true? I love the taste of Green tea.

Not yet, anyways http://imgur.com/9B9mN
Honestly I'm not sure if I am or not. My father has had a receded hairline for most of his life, which is common on his side, but there is no baldness there.  My mothers side they mostly all went bald at some point. My brother physically seems to resemble her side more, whereas I tend to resemble his side more.

Quote from: Firecat on September 20, 2012, 11:49:45 AM
I actually asked a doctor about finasteride but he outright refused because of potential side effects (though given he put me on zoloft, and after 3 doses I had 8 out of like 9 of the possible side effects of that, so... yeah.)

yeah if your doctor would not put on finasteride then there is no way he'll put you on Avodart (which is a shame because it is mind boggling how fast Avodart regrew my hair).

For those who had PMed me and asked on this thread about avodart/dutas:

When i started to take it, I noticed results as quickly as 3 weeks. I even took cell phone pics during that time because others (who never heard of Avodart) was utterly blown away over how quick the growth came back.

Clinical studies have shown Avodart provided better results (at a fraction of the dosage) of finasteride. One of the main reasons why I convinced my Dr to prescribe it for me.

About side effects I had experience: I really do not remember anything major. My libido was a;ready diminishing because of HRT.

Known side effects of Avodart is:

    Erectile dysfunction (ED) or impotence -- up to 4.7 percent of people
    A decreased libido (sex drive) -- up to 3 percent of people
    Abnormal ejaculation, including decreased ejaculate amount -- up to 1.4 percent of people
    Breast enlargement or breast tenderness -- up to 1.1 percent of people.

Which you wouldn't be able to tell if you're on HRT since HRT has the same side effects

Quote from: Firecat on September 20, 2012, 02:30:11 PM
Honestly I'm not sure if I am or not. My father has had a receded hairline for most of his life, which is common on his side, but there is no baldness there.

hairline is more or less the same, but less firm.

Ugh, I had to dig my old photos from five years ago, and remembered why I don't like to be photographed. And why I want as much FFS as possible. I don't know if I want my face to fill again, it was quite hideous when it was not all bony. I looked like a freaking retard.

I seriously doubt I am a good candidate for MTF, to be honest. Whenever I think that it have an oportunity, is mostly because I have not looked at my face for a long time. No matter how much FFS, a mid  longface is a big hindrance. Lately I keep thinking that it would be much better if I was dead. A bad way of thinking, but it starts sounding as an attractive idea, it can't be good.

did you see my before and after pics?

The truth is you wont know how you will look until you tried it. The first step is taking the first step on faith

Quote from: Annah on September 20, 2012, 03:29:24 PM
did you see my before and after pics?

The truth is you wont know how you will look until you tried it. The first step is taking the first step on faith

Dunno, to me you already had a cute face before.

Was the depression between the dutasteride effects? Maybe I AM getting side effects. I mean, I just got confirmed that I will be keeping my job and I can't feel happy in the slightest.

Quote from: Crt.rnA on September 20, 2012, 03:32:38 PM
Was the depression between the dutasteride effects? Maybe I AM getting side effects. I mean, I just got confirmed that I will be keeping my job and I can't feel happy in the slightest.

Remember that GID makes you unhappy with things too. It might not be Dutasteride causing the 'downer'

Quote from: Annah on September 20, 2012, 03:29:24 PM
did you see my before and after pics?

The truth is you wont know how you will look until you tried it. The first step is taking the first step on faith

I reached the point that that however I turn out I will deal with it. I simply needed to transition.

Quote from: brc on September 20, 2012, 03:36:26 PM
Remember that GID makes you unhappy with things too. It might not be Dutasteride causing the 'downer'

Probably is the feeling of being at a crossroad. Ignore the GID and hope I get fixed in some magical way (with danger of remaining sad, bitter for the rest of my life), or bet on transition and hope for the best.

When I first thought about the transition, I was happy that I knew that it was going to be difficult and incredible work, but i also saw it as something that would completely change my life style for the better. I would have to put an effort to make my life better instead of just sitting in my room watching paint dry while I lamented not having done a single decent thing in years.



Seeing the transition timelines, before/after, from that face filled with sadness at the beginning and compared to the current photo, and the faces being so different, it is what gives me hopes to continue, but after a few moments I am back to "I am a monster, it won't work. You start ugly and you will end uglier, you are old and yu have not aged well". Somebody even said something like "it is a mid longface, it always sucks".  It is hard to know when you have self-steem and autoimage problem. It is my dark passenger.


Would you believe if I told you that I even considered being a monk in one of those places with little or no contact with the world? When you consider resorting to religion again, that must be the lowest you can fall.


Well, I am in for another night of anxiety and distress, and again to the point of crying. I wish this would end once and for all. Life is a b*tch, specially when it gives you the wrong set of chromosomes.

Quote from: brc on September 20, 2012, 03:36:26 PM


I reached the point that that however I turn out I will deal with it. I simply needed to transition.

same here.

Quote from: brc on September 20, 2012, 03:36:26 PM
I reached the point that that however I turn out I will deal with it. I simply needed to transition.

Me three on that one.

I failed at being able to do electrolysis (horrible skin reactions), I am still fighting with HRT and side effects (The two things I hear over and over you MUST do before being full time) but I have been full time now for almost 5 years. You can deal with it if you need to and I did.

Well, I got in to a new clinic today, and have myself scheduled with a new therapist... the person who interviewed me has fixed me up with a shrink she says specifically works with gay, lesbian, and those with gender identity issues, so I'm hoping for the best!    It's a real counseling center as opposed to a private practice this time.

Quote from: brc on September 19, 2012, 02:18:48 PM

You could try using Saw Palmetto which is a herbal product that is supposed to interfere with the production of DHT which makes your hair fall out. Spearmint tea is meant to have a similar effect. Try the Saw Palmetto but watch out for sore nipples as some report it gives minor breast growth. You can buy Saw Palmetto at any health store. It may make no difference at all or it might but hair is sloooowwww to grow and it would probably take 6 to 12 months before you know.

Does Saw Palmetto really work for that? If so, how high of a dose are we talking? And also is anyone aware of the chances of side effects are, and if they'll disrupt the chances of HRT?