I have been told by a certain doctor that Finasteride actually blocks the effects of Prometrium (micro progesterone). Though I have always had breast tenderness. I have also read that Prometrium can give you that breast tenderness. So the idea that Prometrium is being blocked could be wrong. I also injecting Estrodial Valerate once a week. That would cause breast tenderness as well.

My pharmacy gave pills (finasteride and Spiro) from a different manufacturer. Now for two weeks my breasts are not that tender. I thinking the new pills from a different manufacturer are the reason.

I did find this below;

"Finasteride, which blocks the formation of allopregnanolone from progesterone. Animal studies show that stress increases levels of the brain steroid allopregnanolone, which acts on the GABA receptor to reduce anxiety."

I need to stay on DHT blocker just in case even though I have great hair and balding doesn't run in the family. I know Avodart blocks both DHT Type 1 and Type II. But I think Finasteride is good enough.

Anyone heard anything about this?

Best Regards,
Deirdre





Edited dosage info  ~Seph

I wouldn't go anywhere near Finasteride personally, why not just use Avodart anyway? It's a lot safer and more effective as you know.

I'm a big fan of Avodart. I did it alone, with no other meds for a year before starting HRT and it totally killed off my body hair. I had less hair than my wife on my body. It's really powerful.

I still take it along with my Spiro and E now.

I don't mean to sound like a commercial, but was seriously very good for MTF purposes for me.

Quote from: Rabbit on June 18, 2011, 12:46:00 AM
Why that?

Well for one it's inferior to avodart and two I've heard and seen some unfortunate side effects of what it can do to those that are more susceptible to it's side effects. I'm sure google would bring up something, or even youtube. I would dig for some informative youtube videos that I remember but I'm kinda busy at the mo

Ok, I finally got a response back from a very well known Endo. Mr. Ó Dea.

"Testosterone is converted into DHT by an enzyme called 5 alpha reductase.  Finasteride and deutasteride work by blocking the actions of this enzyme.  If your feminizing hormone therapy is done properly, your testosterone level should be so low that there is no testosterone to block and no testosterone there to be converted into DHT.  Meanwhile 5 alpha reductase also converts other hormones as well, including progesterone which converts into allo-pregnanolone and cortisol into tetra hydroxy DOC.  So no, I don't use, nor do I need to use finasteride.  It really helps to know what one is doing as opposed to mindlessly following a cookbook."

This guy really knows his stuff. The key is just keeping your T-levels down enough. Way down. Then there is no issue with DHT. Yes Avodart is grand and the like but I am also on Prometrium (Progesterone) along with Estradiol V.. I guess I will try upping Spiro to make up for the missing finasteride T lowering effects. But Avodart is still tempting. hmmm.....

Quote from: Muffin on June 17, 2011, 11:16:45 PM
I wouldn't go anywhere near Finasteride personally, why not just use Avodart anyway? It's a lot safer and more effective as you know.

I'll give you effective but I doubt it's safer.

Dutasteride blocks both types of 5AR, including the type Finasteride blocks. I would think it would have as many potential side effects if not more.

Of course as with all medication, your individual response is highly variable.

Personally I wouldn't recommend using either if you don't really need it. There's some scary side effect possibilities with the 5AR inhibitors. The primary problem being, as mentioned already, 5AR isn't only responsible for conversion of DHT to T, it also preforms other conversions, inhibiting of which can cause side effects.

QuoteI don't mean to sound like a commercial, but was seriously very good for MTF purposes for me.

Hopefully, it will work well for me too.