Warning: I do not condone doing a HRT yourself, without a good endocrinologist support; because that way you will be putting yourself in the hands of lady death sooner or later.Warning2: YMMV (Your Mileage May Vary). Some transgender bodies for example like spironolactona, and hate androcur; some hate both and some hate none. You may change a lot in just 1 month, others do not change at all after 1 year.Warning3: Beware of possible mind warping effects of hormones.All currencies are in Brazilian reais (R$), simply because it is the currency from where I live. There are tools on the internet to help you convert to your country currency, but be aware which each country has its own prices and taxes, so it will not give you an adequate estimation of how much it would cost at where you live at all.
- Event,
- Medication,
- Event+Medication,
- Nothing
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2015----
Recovered DataWent to 11 consultations with a psychologist to obtain an attestation for hormone therapy. Last one was in august 12, when I moved to a new city. 2 years later, I had to request a new one by facebook to him, as the old one had "expired" according to an endocrinologist.
Total costs: Unknown. Had health insurance back thenMeasures:Unknown
0605
Pulsed light facial hair removal and armpits. cannot afford legs too.
Pulsed light cost: 158
13
Endocrinologist visit. Feeling more calm.
Endocrinologist visit cost: 250
21
Many examinations requested.
Exams cost: 220
22
Examinations ready
Total Costs: 628
Measures:Unmeasured
----------------------------
0717
Endocrinologist return. Daily usage of 1/8 full dosage has started. Chest pain, drowsy, cold, but tranquility. The previous night did not slept well and the sleep period was reduced too, that may had contributed to a degree.
Espironolactona 1/8 full dosage box: 20.37 > 13.79
18
Reduced side-effects. A lot of hunger. Peeing more. Chronic headaches weakened due to Espironolactona pressure reducing effects.
19
Reduced side-effects. Noticed better/faster digestion a few hours after each Espironolactona pill. Maybe because my digestion was slow, if it was normal it could become abnormal.
20
Different skin. Libido is now 1/3.
21
Body odor somehow different.
22
Softer hair and body hair clearly noticeable. Started a new life style of drinking more water, eating more fruits and doing more exercises to decrease side effects of HRT.
24
The drowsyness seems to occur 4 hours after taking Espironolactona, and lasts 3 hours approximately.
26
Additional endocrinologist return, for free this time. He may had pity of me as my income is low yet. Espironolactona from 1/8 to ¼ full dosage per day, but still using the 1/8 dosage pills, thus, double dosage. Discovered it is no longer given for free at "people farmacy" in Brazil as the doctor claimed, due to the crisis caused by politicians.
"Valerato 17 beta estradiol" from compounding pharmacy requested at 1/3 full dosage per day. Perhaps safer and cheaper, but validity date is lower. Potassium levels exam requested for when I return to the endocrinologist.
28
Requested compounding pharmacy "Valerato 17 beta estradiol".
"Valerato 17 beta estradiol": 43
29
At least one online friend noticed subtle changes in skin, saying it looked softer and prettier. I felt happy.
31
Received Estradiol pills. Started using them. Perhaps part of the daily drowsiness was cleared due to blood pressure increase. Part of the chronic headaches returned as well.
Total costs: 56.79
Measures:
----------------------------
082
As the dose doubled the previous month, the Spironolactona ended quickly. Asked at pharmacy for the ¼ dosage pills instead, to avoid swallowing two at once each time. Noticed eye cornea changes, more reflexive on light, more piercing, rounder perhaps?
Noticed emotional changes, complaining more; but it is nothing fully new, just complaining about valid things I avoided before to not waste energy. As I said before, due to Spironolactona, I no longer have headache crisis; but the other symptoms related to it were increased due to 17-beta estradiol. I am happier though despite that.
Espironolactona 1/4 dosage box: 32.67 > 19.29
3
Started to search on the web about foods and drinks which can protect and enhance specifically the liver, since HRT is putting pressure on it, I can feel it.
5
½ dosage espironolactona ended. Lightsheer facial hair removal.
Lightsheer facial hair removal: 140
6
Started taking the ¼ dosage pills of Spironolactona.
09
Noticed increased number of pimples in my back. That reduced a few days later.
13
Noticed which if I sleep in the afternoon, side-effects of HRT are reduced.
16
Noticed strange hair, as if the older hair was one way and the newer hair of another, in each single hair tread. Had to cut it.
1 month of anti-androgen, around 2/3 month using estradiol. Not noticing further changes for a while. Sometimes I feel dizziness, and also a slightly feeling of heaviness on body and belly. Increased hunger weakened.
20
Half of Espironolactona finished. Noticed libido levels returning almost to normal. Since starting, noticed my mind once more becoming more stable too, it was becoming too unstable sometimes, like for example, "raging" for not so great things.
21
First time everyone I knew at my japanese course said my face was different.
24
Noticed decreased range of emotions and memory, not good as an artist; also, more tired. Previously requested Potassium serum test done. Results: Perfectly normal. And I usually drink a lot of banana vitamin at night. Starting to consider changing wardrobe to use a greater number of unisex clothing, I was not using truly unisex clothing yet. Estradiol side effects increase upon my original migraines are being noticed. No good.
Potassium serum test: 12
28
Endocrinologist visit. Although without progesterone (which many endocrinologists do not use due to low effect), the doctor confirmed my suspicions which I was already developing breasts. Since I am only in 1 month of HRT, I think my genes may allow me to absorb more quickly hormones. Perhaps one day I will able to produce my own milk, and give it to myself to drink; thus I would become self-suficient (just joking).
I am planning to switch the oral 17-beta estradiol to patches since I was still feeling my body a bit heavy. I am considering oral estradiol from other sources as well because of that, and to also prevent my daily headaches amplification from HRT. I will also soon have to sign a term of consent, because I will be taking heavier doses of hormones. The doctor also asked if I had already thought about a female name. I had not yet thought about that. I also lately have felt my butt and hips uncomfortable.
Endocrinologist visit: 250
30
Increased hunger returned. Hips and butt had a small increase. Notice how the underwear no longer perfectly fit that region, turning into an inverted "V" shape, becoming tight.
Total costs: 421.29
Measures:
----------------------------
0901
Cloudy vision, low blood pressure and tendency of fainting was felt for a while today.
02
Facial hair lightsheer laser removal.
Laser removal cost: 140
04
Hand nails got purple where I study japanese, to the point the teacher got worried. I felt again dizziness. At home, I noticed nipples are hard and hurting when stumbling upon something. I also noticed more leftover skin in the "lower countries", although if excited its size is still the same.
05
Due to a doctor miscalculation, this one day I had not taken espironolactona as its box ended sooner, thus I became more aggressive with a testosterone overflow perhaps. But I was mostly in control of myself unlike reported by others.
06
Endocrinologist return. He seemed worried about the bad interaction between my migraines and estrogen blood pressure increase. Antiandrogen dosage doubled. I was given a choice of still using espironolactona as it is cheaper; or instead to start using Androcur, which is much more expensive, comes with 20 pills instead of 30, but may have less side effects such as increased drowsiness.
It is so because its goal is the direct effect on sexual hormones, unlike Spironolactona, where only its indirect effects are being used as treatment for transition. Androcur is used for chemical castration of perverts among other things.
Requested at pharmacy ½ of the full dosage of Androcur for daily usage. Also, now instead of once each month, I only need to come back to the endocrinologist each 2 months. Thus I will spend less time and money with blood exams and medical appointments. The box is more ergonomic (easier to open and smaller), and the pills are smaller (easier to swallow), plus they do not dissolve quickly in mouth as Spironolactona.
It is more powerful too, as the now prescribed quantity is the equivalent of only ¼ of the full espironolactona dosage, yet, its effects are of ½. I am lucky this is what is used in Japan, since I will study 2 years there, and perhaps will stay. It is used in many places around the world, only USA restrict it, because it was noticed which on some patients it affects severely the patient mind.
More exams required upon returning, due to the increased dosage of anti androgens: Testosterone, estradiol, potassium (k+), LH and FSH (fertility), TGO and TGP (liver damage), total colesterol, fractions, triglicerides.
Box of Androcur: -140
07
Spironolactona side-effects already halted. The urine no longer have such a stronger color and smell. Frequency of going to bathroom returned to normal levels, thus no more low blood pressure, therefore more of my migraines returned. Also, going too much to the bathroom would be inviable for working in japan for example.
Cold feet sensation reduced, I have less dizziness and am less sleepy. Skin became more hydrated. Gaining more weight again. Emotional range and memory increased almost back to normal levels. Digestion became slower, worse as it was before.
At where I study japanese, the teacher was still worried about the last class purple nails however. Must had been to the point of being really uncommon in order to still being remembered. It was already too risky to see if Spironolacotna side effects would halt or decrease with time.
08
Collapsed at night on bed after a busy day due to migraines altered by Estrogen since I no longer have low blood pressure to counter it and my original migraines as I said before. I felt heat, confusion and a deeper headache. Never before had I felt such a sensation before. It may be due to a sudden change from espironolactona to androcur too, as it should had been done slowly according to the internet. Another mistake of my endocrinologist.
13
Noticed decreased neck diameter? Noticed urine with a new strange smell since Androcur start; but it may be the estrogen, or both. Realized a few days ago which I will need a rhinoplasty after 1 year of HRT.
24
After measuring, the neck diameter, it had not changed as I thought. Today after sleeping, I woke up with one of the eyes red; and I also felt tired and with high blood pressure. I can now really confirm which I will hunger spikes will not cease in the near future. Not sure if it is because of hormones demanding building resources, me getting too skinny, or both.
25
½ full dosage of Androcur ended, thus, another box was purchased.
Box of Androcur: 140
26
½ full dosage of Androcur continuing.
Total costs: 360
Measures
--------------------------
10
2
Realized which HRT is affecting my mind more than expected. Sometimes I write things in a "cuter" way. I did not before, ever. I thought that was dependent of a person personality, but I see now hormones can also make that happen depending on the person maybe.
Maybe gesturing and way of speaking also are a bit different in the way mentioned above sometimes.
3
The same eye got red again today. I felt drowsiness, high pressure, cold and heat again.
7
Another day of breast soreness. Small breasts are already visible. Also, my T shirts are now too large as I have a waist now and smaller thorax. Sometimes I feel a metallic taste in my mouth. I can no longer skip meals, as it increases side effects severely. I dad been feeling a pain in the belly, I thought it was already liver damage, but it was the slow digestion I always had. Although I believed otherwise, I must say only now real changes are starting to be visible.
Laser beard removal 140
9
Once or twice a week, my nails are getting purple, but not as much as before. My teacher always get worried by remembering the Spironolactona times. It happens in cold environments, after a while without eating or drinking and intense intelectual activity, like for example, studying.
15
Starting to have costs with cloth adjustments, because my body is developing an increasingly more female shape.
16
Decided to measure my blood pressure at where I study japanese, the place where it always get strange after 4 hours of study. It was near the average person hypertension threshold, it seems this is enough for me to feel bad. Each person pressure threshold is different.
I purchased and started using another Androcur box.
Androcur box 142.29
20
My blood was collected for various exams. Also, when I raised a heavy marketplace bag, it ended hitting strongly my small, yet still developing breasts. It was a pain almost similar to being kicked in the lower countries as a man, and incapacitated me for a few seconds. It was the first time for years I felt such a pain. My breasts are more sensible than I thought.
I accidentally bumped by breasts with a heavy supermarket bag. It had been a while I had not felt such a pain. It was like a kick to a man privates, enough to incapacitate for a few seconds. I started to take more care. From among many theories by others, the most fitting was which that happened because I was in a kind of new puberty, which breasts should not be that sensible in the future.
Total Cholesterol > 12
HDL - Cholesterol > 14
LDL - Cholesterol > 13
Triglycerides > 14
Glutamic oxalacetic transaminase (TGO/AST) > 14
Glutamic piruvic transaminase (TGP/ALT) > 14
Luteinizing Hormone (LH) > 29
Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) > 29
Total Testosterone > 38
Estradiol > 35
Potassium > 12
Total Costs > 224
25
Endocrinologist visit. He offered to choose between the compounding estradiol I was already using which is cheaper, Natifa which may have less side effects but is more expensive (like androcur), or sandrena gel, as I asked for something not oral, which would not put more pressure on my liver. I had understood my exams correctly before the medic talked about them. Fertility and testosterone were razed. Liver health was not changed. I lost weight, and that concerned the doctor, he wanted me to gain weight in order to fully develop the breasts and butt later. He also wanted me to increase my good cholesterol (HDL).
Before going to gel based estradiol, I chose Natifa, to test it. I already took a natifa pill today, but I still need to end the 4 remaining manipulated estradiol pills before truly using it. I already felt an improvement. I was impressed how compared to the compouding estradiol, natifa had and illustrated package insert, a place to put the carton, and a carton with a calendar imprinted. The compouding estradiol was only a small pot with pills inside. But, 3 months of compouding estradiol for 35, were the same as only 14 days of Natifa for 49. Expensive.
I noticed my nails had been growing extra fast. A quick internet research links that to hormones to an extent.
Endocrinologist Visit > 250
Natifa > 49.41
Total cost > 299.41
26
The second half of androcur started. My father by accident called me "daughter" today, but quickly he corrected himself. That shows not only a softening of him who did not accepted well I was transgender since 4 years before, but which my emotional and physical changes were already enough to confuse him at a subconscious level. They still are not enough for the same at a conscious level regarding other people.
Also, past traumas I never had been able to overcome, now are easier to deal with, while others were forgotten. That was only after the hormone therapy start. Psychological traumas as a child can leave physical scars on the brain surface. Can it be hormones can also heal the brain trauma scars produced during life? That would explain it.
29
The compounding estradiol ended.
I also have been notice a heavier effect than I thought of hormones on my brain. Some skills I was poor at, I have now become better at them. Other skills I was good at, I had somewhat become "dumber" at them. The internet says dead transgender people brains were analyzed, and it was notice which they were already physically different from that of a man, perhaps due to a lifetime of hormones.
Also, it was the first day in my entire life I truly smiled from the bottom of my heart, feeling (almost) complete due to the hormone therapy. Everyone I knew were surprised after I posted a photo regarding this in a social network, they said I actually had a beautiful smile when truly happy.
30
Natifa truly started. Head pressure sensation was greatly reduced. A bit of drowsiness returned for 3 days. Perhaps because again I changed from one medication to another suddenly.
Total costs: 805.70
Measures
Blood Pressure:
--------------------------
11
1
Androcur purchased.
Androcur box: 142.29
4
Androcur ended. Laser removal of facial and armpits hair. I am fairly happy with my body changes too. My life improved so much, I have a small reason to live now. I started even to study violin; my weaknesses decreased, and my qualities became more evident to who I know. I became more popular.
Laser: 105
5
New box of androcur started.
6
It was just necessary to sleep late practicing violin the previous late night. I had again a strange headache from morning until the beginning of the next day. I could not do anything, and could not sleep either to get better. I managed to sleep out of exhaustion.
Compared to my previous chronic migraines, it was weaker, yet deeper and much longer, I got worried due to the possible side effects of Androcur including brain tumors.
10
Purchased Sandrena gel. I think it is wiser to use one medication by skin and the other orally, instead of letting both to pass through my liver. Seems more complex to use though.
Sandrena gel > 51.40
11
Natifa ended.
12
Sandrena gel
24
End of Androcur.
Total costs: 298.69
Current face:
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Previous July 20 report, now with useless information removed:Good night, as promised I am registering a lot of information regarding this from Fortaleza city in Brazil northeast. I think such degree of support did not existed in Brazil city of Belem and Macapa where I also lived. At the current city there are two professionals prepared for hormone therapy[...] which I added to the community link database.
I guess it is inevitable, but when I went to the endocrinologist twice already, he did asked some things the psychologist already asked and gave an attestation for, seemed a bit of waste of our time to me. The psychologist gave me 2 copies of the attestation, one stayed with the endocrinologist.
He checked my amgydalas, liver, took weight and height measurements, and in the end, although it was embarrassing, checked if my "lower countries" were healthy too. Although by examinations I brought it seemed my testosterone was low and estradiol was high, I was taught they should be compared with other hormones, in my case all were normal after comparisons. The doctor said laughing I had more testosterone than him.
He told me one mtf transgender patient had amputated his "lower countries" out of despair, I said which now sadly for him, a gender reassignment surgery will no longer be properly successful. He asked in what way I believed my life would change after becoming a woman, I said it would not change much due to my androgyne leaning nature. I do not believe biologically speaking, which one born male can become a woman, just acquire many external features of women.
[...] Some data I omitted below because I think it is embarrassing for now, but I am tracking them too.
Background:I was born as a biological male. Starting with 10 years, I started to dislike my body more and more, some noticed I had subtle feminine gestures, they thought I was a gay person too; and my body never fitted the male stereotype. Funny thing is I did not noticed any of that. I am still questioning if I will cut off my "lower countries" or not, but it is probable I will one day. My overall body, I want it to remain as it now, "a petite body" as some fashion providers call it, but in a female frame, for example, I do not desire big butt or breasts, I have small ones and I just want a bit more of both, changing my face will be the most important part to me.
I live as a man because I have to, I would use more feminine clothing if it was not dangerous here where I live, I will require voice surgery one day. Currently I feel I am neutral while leaning to female; but perhaps I am female, but with a "nerdy", cold way of being, like there are woman with a more male behavior while still being a woman.
Crossdressing? Just once, when I tried the deep blue long dress (I liked clothing considered more refined) of my sister (always the sister) and leggings, my mother looked strange though at this. Soon I will start using female clothing again, as my body changes increase.
How I discovered myself? around 22 the act of envisioning myself in a female body got stronger, with 24 years everything made sense at once and I could no longer deny it (I tried), and I also started to appear as a girl in my dreams a while before that, when I woke up I felt very good, the other dreams had not that effect. Thus I ended in a strange limbo, where my body is male (with its desires), but the mind leans enough to female so I started HRT, thus I keep liking girls, not boys. Sometimes I have no interest at all regarding that for a while.
