Taking hormones that are not usually associated with a persons genetic sex is not very common. We are a very small minority and most medical people have not been given much training on our specific concerns. There are a few of us here who do have medical training of one sort or another. I am a Pharmacist and there are other doctors here as well. The most overriding concern we have is liability, not only to ourselves, but more importantly to Susan's Place.
Medical knowledge changes with new research studies and Standards of Care for all areas of medical practice. What we say today, may not be true a few years later, as our experience and knowledge improves. Therefore, the best replies will reference the source of the information. For drug information, public websites such as WebMD or
Drugs.com are good and don't forget Wikipedia. Many medical professionals use subscription services such as Micromedex.
Side effects do not always happen to every person taking any specific drug. The best references will give a percentage of people who will experience a certain side effect. Some side effects are common and to be expected by everyone. Other side effects will happen to 5 or 10% of the people taking that drug and lastly if less than 1% report a certain side effect this is usually referred to being a rare occurrence.
In the case of Spironolactone, this drug is mainly used as a diuretic for people with high blood pressure. Helping the body eliminate excess water is what Spironolactone does. When we take Spironolactone for anti-androgen uses we are taking a dose much higher than the usual diuretic dose. Therefore dehydration is always a possibility. The only way around this is to drink plenty of water and keep a restroom handy at all times.
In the US every prescription dispensed has an information sheet attached and common side effects are listed and what you should or should not do when taking that medicine.
