I started birth control as an older teenager for health reasons and have been on it since, since my cycles were horrid and making me anemic even when taking an iron supplement. They also caused me so much pain I literally could not get out of bed and effected my performance at school. The pills have fixed that problem. So I've been on them for about 9 years, always got prescribed the estrogen based ones.

My concern is, do they feminize you more forever? I notice since taking them my chest is a little bit larger, I gained weight, and my face seems rounder but that could have been puberty taking it's wretched toll.

Are there alternatives that control crazy cycles but don't have estrogen, but are also just as effective as the estrogen based ones? I know if I start T it would probably have issues competing with the E-based BC pills with getting hormones into the body.

I can sympathize since I'm also on birth control to prevent my periods from hell @_@. That and because I really don't want to risk pregnancy XP. As far as I've seen on my own body, none of the effects you listed are permanent effects. They stop when the birth control stops.

As for alternatives, I'm not sure. For actual pregnancy prevention, I'm looking for a surgeon willing to sterilize me or my boyfriend :'P. Our similar family histories of cancer and crippling mental illness should be compelling arguments XP. If not, our healthcare system has failed @_@.

As for period control, no idea ;_;. I think I'm gonna man it out till I start T and it finally stops my periods. And by "man it out", I mean cry like a little girl once a month while praying for sweet, sweet death XP. I'll update you if I come up with something good.

I was taking Northisterone which is a synthetic made progesterone. It doesnt have any estrogen and works by keeping your progesterone levels always the same so that you dont get a period. Maybe you could ask your doctor about that?

progestin-only contraceptives (like norethisterone/norethindrone) function as antigonadotropics, which in sufficient doses have both an antiandrogenic and antiestrogenic effect.

there are also completely non-hormonal methods of birth control, like the copper iud.  it's worth looking at, especially if you're interested in a longer-term solution.

Quote from: transtrender on January 29, 2013, 03:37:27 AM
there are also completely non-hormonal methods of birth control, like the copper iud.  it's worth looking at, especially if you're interested in a longer-term solution.

A warning about copper IUD's, though: they generally don't work to lighten your cycle. I know a woman who got a copper IUD, and she bled for pretty much 6 months straight and had to get it taken out.

Quote from: Cain on January 29, 2013, 11:42:44 AM
A warning about copper IUD's, though: they generally don't work to lighten your cycle. I know a woman who got a copper IUD, and she bled for pretty much 6 months straight and had to get it taken out.

Yeah, IUDs are good if you want a non-hormonal birth control specifically for making it that you can't give birth. If you need something to help your period, then you will likely need hormones of some sort.

IUD can cause more bleeding with your period and more days too.   Some dr willn't put them in unless you have had kids.  I get cramps every month and have been getting through them with OTC meds; I don't want to have the exam and a dr putting something inside me.

Mirena (IUD) might work. Also warnings re: side effects but I don't know that it is the same as the copper ones. I personally would not want copper inside as it is semi-toxic.

--Jay

Thanks guys! Do the progesterone-based ones work as well for preventing pregnancy as the estrogen ones? I really don't ever want to be pregnant not only for dysphoria reasons but I don't want to add more kids with bad genetic disorders to the world either. I'll have to get an appointment with my doctor.

I'm glad to hear the results aren't permanent from the estrogen ones. Of course I'm still stuck with these stupid curves thanks to everyone on my mother's side.

I have the contraceptive implant, which stopped me having shark weeks altogether (which I thought was awesome, as it helped the dysphoria a lot), and didn't seem to have any adverse effects on me. It's not the same for everyone though.

there are some resources online (esp. on tumblr) where trans guys have talked about their experiences with mirena.  a quick google shows several pages of results of personal accounts.  might be worth looking into if you're interested.

Thank you all for the suggestions. I have go to a doctor's next month to ask about birth control I'll ask about some of these pills and see about getting on one.