Ello ello everyone

Quick question. For a male bodied person taking low-dose estrogen - what is the actual medical definition of taking low-dose HRT? What's the difference between being a transexual on low-dose HRT or being a cis-normative middle-aged man man suffering from andropause? What is the dividing line, if any?


I ask this question because menopause and andropause are generally accepted as being problematic stages in the hman life cycle. They're quite unhealthy. Thus to trigger one yourself  could be considered downright unwise. If taking a low-dose HRT dose are akin to simply mimicing the effects of low T that a male would encounter in middle-age then this to me, would sound dangerous. However, if low dose HRT is more like mimicking the endocrinology of a, say, an older woman, where T and E levels are "normal", then that would sound more healthy.

My concern for taking low-dose would be that there's a universe of difference between your body mimicking the effects of being a 60 year-old man, versus mimicking an older woman. therefore, in my case, if I were to take low-dose, then I'd rather not simply be turning into a middle-aged man. As, like I said, they'd be no point in doing that.

I think there are so many variables that what is considered low dose varies from person to person, though 90 percent of the members here are prolly on the same exact dosage give or take a couple milligrams here and there. TBH, I think if you're going to do it, go all the way. I mean I know there's a lot of talk in the androgyne community of finding that perfect does to create the ultimate form of androgyny but even that can vary as androgyny can be such a subjective term. What are you trying to achieve with low dose as opposed to a transitioning dose, if ya don't mind me asking?

Hey Joanna!

Thanks for the comment.

What I'd like to achieve is a vast slow down in masculinisation (such as slowing down MPB, increased muscle bulking, facial hair, etc) and some feminisation. I'm more interested in having a more feminine face than growing boobs, as my face has been the crux of my dysphoria since I was 13. I know you can't pick and choose exactly what will feminise and where, of course.

Yeah, I hear this a lot. But, unfortunately, growing boobs is one of the major perks of Estrogen. (See what i did there!!! Perks. perky. I'm stupid.) Anyhoos, you really can't have one without the other and usually breats gowth is the first bud to blossom. I'm on a rolllll. Seriously, even on a low dose of E you could end up with boobs. My face has been feminized pretty much to the point of looking like a different person. But, I also am a 32C/D at any given point. Usually a D if I eat, which I don't do enough of but I'm really trying to eat more. But, point is, boobs happen.

Quote from: Joanna Dark on April 20, 2014, 11:29:46 PM
growing boobs is one of the major perks of Estrogen. (See what i did there!!! Perks. perky. I'm stupid.) Anyhoos,

ZOMG that was cute overload, all of that <-- stupid too.

OK back to topic...

Very interesting, This is what I wanted, I'm watching this thread....

I guess I'll bite.  My endo basically said to me there are no hard and fast rules about low dose.
I would probably define low dose as a HRT regimen that is less than that usually accepted as an effective dose for feminization.

I've been on effectively half dose for the last 2 years.  Last blood test, E levels were around 239mg/L (follicular phase 80-480) T was 11ug/L (male <50 10-45).
Feminisation has been very slow, all the other blood assay markers have been fine.  (Only issue was Vit D, but that was an incidental finding).

I'm 64 years old and was diagnosed as hypogonadic (what your call andropause) about seven years ago.

I can tell you it's a pretty miserable condition.  It leads to extreme lack of energy, a sort of living death.  Even when well rested, if you sit down you will find yourself dozing off.

I started regular testosterone injections, but it had a bit of a paradoxical effect.  There is any enzyme called aromatase, which is present in fat cells.  It converts testosterone to estradiol.  In effect I was getting a goodly dose of estrogen.

I can tell you a few things.  Taking exogenous estrogen will eventually shut down your natural production of testosterone.  That may take a few months or a few years.  Stopping the estrogen may or may not allow testosterone production to return.  The longer you are on estrogen and the stronger the dose, the less likely that testosterone production will resume.

To be healthy, you need both estrogen and testosterone.  Healthy cis-women need and have some circulating testosterone.

In essence, after years of taking estrogen you will be, like me, hypogonadic and require regular supplementation of estrogen, testosterone or both.

I exist primarily on estrogen now, but still find that I need some testosterone to remain strong and healthy.

In summary, your ideas are correct.  In an attempt to become a young woman, you may develop the symptoms of being an old man.

Randi