I was to that Soy was the safest way to start transitioning MTF.i also take Spirolactone every day.  My breasts have started to develop one is enlarged and tender and the other seems to be lagging about a 2 weeks behind but i hear that even happens in teenage girls as well. just wondering if anyone else is doing the similar thing in their transition.

I tried Soy early on but without sprio.  On me it had no effect after 2 year.  Where as Estrodal the effect was very positive.  Just my two cents.

Beni

I would suggest that you cut out phyto-estrogens once you start commercial estrogen, since they compete for the same receptors and phyto-estrogens are MUCH less effective. For now though, yeah, phyto-estrogens are a good way to start. Just be aware that soy has a number of phyto-toxins besides isoflavones in it. Other stuff you can try are liquorice and black cohosh - that was what I started with.

Mina.

You should talk to Chrissty, she uses herbals.  There is a program called Flat2Fem that claims result.  I tried it, but I am one that wants faster results.  So I am on Estradiol, Spironolactone and Finasteride.

And at 10 months I am a 38B.  I don't know if I could have gotten my results with herbals.

Herbals will not do what normal the prescription stuff will do in anywhere near the same amount of time. If at all.

I was doing the Flat2fem. Do they work? I am not sure, you being on Spiro may help it along more. I was on them for a bit but I stopped before I started seeing a therapist. I was certainly happier on them and will probably end up discussing that with my therapist. They had an effect, I am just not sure how much.

Are they recommended or safe? There is no regulated information on dosages so some could potentially cause problems, so you are kind of running some risks with them. The FDA doesn't regulate any of it except to say it is not poisonous. If you do it, you are pretty much on your own.

Quote from: mina.m->-bleeped-<-ie link=topic=57001.msg356869#msg356869 date=1236319389
I would suggest that you cut out phyto-estrogens once you start commercial estrogen, since they compete for the same receptors and phyto-estrogens are MUCH less effective. For now though, yeah, phyto-estrogens are a good way to start. Just be aware that soy has a number of phyto-toxins besides isoflavones in it. Other stuff you can try are liquorice and black cohosh - that was what I started with.

Mina.

I have used phyto oestrogens for about 10 years, knowing that I wanted to transition whilst not being in a position go for a formal transition.  From a totatlly flat and muscular chest from working within a building/trades industry to a position of proudly owning a B Cup at my most recent examination with the Endocrinologist, I have to declare that Soya and it's derivatives worked well for me. 

I am now on pharmaceutical  hormones and was told forcefully to cease with the phyto stuff.  The best results came from RED CLOVER, plenty of Soya milk and Brussels Sprouts will not harm you either....my staples and with nice results.

Soya?

You sure about that? I don't see many men in the East and South East Asia growing breasts and they eat soya all the time.

If you look at some sites, some things they tell you to take are not for estrogen and anti-androgynes, but for growth in general. Soya falls into this group.


Just a note:
Don't expect a lot of detailed info here.
Susan's tries to promote doing it the right way, which is a safer method. Any discussion of dosages will likely get you into trouble.

Quote from: emilyhensley on March 05, 2009, 08:36:05 PM
I was to that Soy was the safest way to start transitioning MTF.i also take Spirolactone every day.  My breasts have started to develop one is enlarged and tender and the other seems to be lagging about a 2 weeks behind but i hear that even happens in teenage girls as well. just wondering if anyone else is doing the similar thing in their transition.

I use soy at a low OTC dose as it gives me slow controllable results while I am sorting my life out.

My therapist says she has seen a wide range of results, and it largely depends on the metabolism of each individual, which seems to be reflected in the results here.

What I don't understand is why you are taking soy to be "safe", when you are already on something as potentially dangerous as spiro? I presume that this treatment is not being prescribed or controlled by a doctor/endo?

Please be careful and seek professional advice on this as soon as you can. 

Chrissty

Quote from: imaz on March 06, 2009, 06:47:32 PM
Soya?

You sure about that? I don't see many men in the East and South East Asia growing breasts and they eat soya all the time.

Yes, soya.  My endocrinologist indicated that I was particularly receptive to the oestronenic agents and my blood reading back this up. As for men in the east and asia, as men they are not likely to grow breasts unless they too are genetically receptive to influences.  I dont claim that soya is magic, just healthy, tasty and the fact it contains small amounts of the chemical agent that mimics oestrogens, on that basis, I started to eat it and somehow I blossomed.

I cant explain it any other way and neither could my doctors.

Yes soy can be more dangerous than prescription hormones.

The thing is that although taking hormones really aren't any dangerous than going through puberty...

Improper administration will make it dangerous. Otherwise it is as safe as breathing in oxygen.

I'm not encouraging self-medication here, but if your thinking to take herbal hormones and you have the money to buy them... You might as well get real hormones. They are actually a lot safer but they can give side effects if not used correctly.

Go to a therapist if you have the money immediately. Don't wait for your life to pass you by.

If it's not within your means to get a therapist.

Then it's up to you what route you'd like to take. Either wait or DIY. I'm not going to tell what you should do and I sure can't tell you how to DIY hormones. I don't want to be held legally responsible if something goes wrong.

PS. Herbals can give results to some women. But to most, I'm sorry. Little to no effect.

Quote from: JENNIFER on March 07, 2009, 01:28:47 PM
Yes, soya.  My endocrinologist indicated that I was particularly receptive to the oestronenic agents and my blood reading back this up. As for men in the east and asia, as men they are not likely to grow breasts unless they too are genetically receptive to influences.  I dont claim that soya is magic, just healthy, tasty and the fact it contains small amounts of the chemical agent that mimics oestrogens, on that basis, I started to eat it and somehow I blossomed.

I cant explain it any other way and neither could my doctors.

Do you mean soy products like tofu and tempeh, or some other preparations?

Quote from: Jill on March 18, 2009, 06:21:01 AM
Do you mean soy products like tofu and tempeh, or some other preparations?

I was on SOYA ISOFLAVONE CAPSULES easily available from health food stores such as Holland & Barrett and some general drug stores. Also I have access to frozen soya beans to which I add rice and fish, soya milk etc., and over a long period of time, but since starting pharmaceutical HRT, I was advised to cease taking the capsules by the endocrinologist.