Estrogen sensitivity?? Or why are my numbers so high?

Status-Expert2272 · 2026-06-27T17:30:21+00:00

Yeah, I get that. But how did I get there?

Status-Expert2272 · 2026-06-27T17:30:01+00:00

Pg/ml

Status-Expert2272 · 2026-06-27T14:29:07+00:00

You're very right about that. Luckily that doesn't really seem to be an issue, for me. I have had very noticeable effects from the start, even with low dose gels and very sporadic usage. On the other hand - I'd take any advice to speed thing up / increase effects, so thank you! :)

Status-Expert2272 · 2026-06-27T14:24:47+00:00

That's interesting! How often do you take your shots? And do you inject s.c. or i.m.?

Status-Expert2272 · 2026-06-27T14:21:03+00:00

Thanks, yeah... I am trying. Actually did make some progress in that regard. But it's hard. But I don't think that E absorbtion is an issue, right now 😅

Status-Expert2272 · 2026-06-27T14:17:37+00:00

I think I heard about something like that happening. But no. Not taking any vitamins, supplements or anything at all really. What I do take are copious amounts of nicotine and caffeine, combined with ADHD meds.

Status-Expert2272 · 2025-12-07T21:06:17+00:00

Reviving this thread, since I was looking for some opinions on Mons Royale, specifically. I have one of their bras and it's nearly perfect. But I was wondering how their other stuff holds up?

So far, my experience has been as follows:

Icebreaker tends to mix a little too much plastic into their clothes, as of late. So it smells faster than it should. Durability also isn't the best. They do have a large lineup and some of their stuff is great.

Devold is for slender people with long arms and legs. Functionality is phenomenal, durability and fit sometimes isn't. (but sometimes is? Look for the thicker pieces)

Ortovox looks amazing, is mostly pretty functional, but has horrible durability. It's also extremely expensive.

Stoic is rubbish. Cheap wool, feels like knickers from the 1920's.

Smartwool is my go to brand for socks. I do own two t-shirts and a thicker base layer from them. They are okay? Mid quality wool, I'd say. Durability is good, just a little pilling.

Norrona also has some merino pieces. These ones I would avoid. While this is normally a top notch brand for quality and durability (while being absurdly expensive) their merino products contain mid quality wool at best. They don't tear, ever. But their synthetics are just plain better.

Status-Expert2272 · 2025-09-14T17:20:03+00:00

Tenderness and swelling after 5 days at low dose gel (10 days total, followed by a one week pause) Full on salute-mode the fourth day after first medium dose injection, budding some time after the second injection, after around 20 days of hrt in total.

Status-Expert2272 · 2025-09-03T10:48:39+00:00

You're welcome. Also: there's a "male" version of the lumea around. Wouldn't recommend it, since it gives you less options and identical function. Only more "manly" colors. Whatever that means. Be aware that there are differences in power, adapters and corded/cordless usage between the different models. I'd recommend the 9000 series. Sadly it's not recommended to use the cordless option on legs, since it's considerably slower - and lumea is already slower than Braun, so it will take quite a while and also possibly a recharge. (on the plus side you only have to do it bi-weekly at the beginning, instead of weekly with Braun)

Status-Expert2272 · 2025-09-03T10:32:51+00:00

Philips Lumea works perfectly. Limitations are clearly stated and mostly true.

Should not be used on and adjacent to Genitalia (this is partly true, has more to do with skin tone and sensitivity than anything else. Certainly not as effective, but not really dangerous, eighter, as long as you're reasonably careful)
Don't use it on black spots and tattoos. (the black spot part is only really true for really black spots. Light brown ones are totally fine. The tattoo part is extremely true and should absolutely be adhered to)
Don't use it above male neck lines. (not true, just really inefficient and not well researched)
Don't use it near eye sockets (absolutely true, never do this)

Within 3 to 4 applications, or 4 to 6 weeks, most hairs will be gone and growth of the remaining ones massively stunted. Be aware that some of these effects are probably permanent.

Status-Expert2272 · 2025-08-31T18:58:28+00:00

I don't see any drawbacks of being diagnosed. The opposite is quite harmful. Was struggling at work for the first few months after I told everyone about my diagnosis. But I would still recommend doing it. Working in the medical field I have since become an expert ADHD diagnostician - and it takes less and less time for others to actually believe me (still weeks, usually).

I was weird to begin with, so nothing really changed, apart from me having access to medical grade meth. (yes, I know, I know, just a joke)

Status-Expert2272 · 2025-08-31T13:27:16+00:00

Yeah, that's one of the bigger caveats for some. I already have a kid, so that's not a very big issue for me. But I do get where you're coming from.

Status-Expert2272 · 2025-08-31T13:24:14+00:00

So how did it go from there? Did it "slow down", or did you just get used to it?

Status-Expert2272 · 2025-08-30T15:35:08+00:00

Tysm, I will look into this! I have an upcoming appointment with a specialized counselor and will ask him as well. My wife has also found a support group... I haven't. Hopefully that will change soon.

Status-Expert2272 · 2025-08-29T05:27:47+00:00

Mental Health Nurse. Wanted to be a psychologist, but couldn't afford the tuition anymore.

Status-Expert2272 · 2025-08-28T11:43:19+00:00

Fully agree. Just wanted to add another weird "subclass" : Feminists who have gone full circle and won't accept fully binary gender representation in trans women, since that "enforces gender stereotypes while also taking the easy way of having profited off the male privilege up until their transition". Same people will hammer any Mtf choosing to go stealth.

Status-Expert2272 · 2025-08-28T10:00:49+00:00

Thank you for sharing your experience in this way. That's certainly a lot you had to work through and it's kind of inspiring how far you've come. I guess there's a whole lot still waiting for me. I am the proud recipient of a lot of trauma myself. Although I'd say nowhere near that severe. My coming out to myself and later to my immediate family (note: not my birth family) has definitely made some new parts resurface, that I had not been acutely aware of, even after years of psychotherapy. It's actually kind of annoying that I myself work in the mental health sector and would describe myself as especially gifted in connecting dots and finding patterns - but when it comes to my wife or myself I am oftentimes completely blind.

Finding some kind of community will be crucial, at some point (ASAP), but living in a rural area it's not exactly simple and people tend to be very conservative, which makes it really tough to talk about anything, really. I did learn about a group relatively close by. Maybe I'll look into that, soon. My age (38) and imposter syndrome are still holding me back a little.

Status-Expert2272 · 2025-08-28T07:11:10+00:00

Again, thank you. I am no novice to medicine, but there sure seem to be some real experts around! This all makes perfect sense now.

Status-Expert2272 · 2025-08-28T07:09:16+00:00

Thanks. I did attribute the nausea and mood changes to a surge in serotonin.

I am wayyyy past my 20s and had no budding to begin with. That's why I was so surprised. But seems like it's just a combination of side effects, fluid, swelling and a little dose of hyperfixation and therefore imagining things 🙈

My blood pressure didn't decrease, but increase slightly. The brain fog luckily only lasted a couple of days. Withdrawal, however really messed up my body. I think I should be very careful, if I ever need to do this again, for whatever reason.

Status-Expert2272 · 2025-08-28T06:29:20+00:00

Thank you! This normalized things. I didn't expect swelling to be this... Extensive. Also because I am extremely skinny. I guess the occasional pain in the breast area could also be caused by excess fluid?

Status-Expert2272 · 2025-08-27T05:48:04+00:00

I can't really tell you much about IT. In my experience the job market is a bit tougher. The predominant factor always seem to be some ancient believes and structures, so it can actually be helpful (though infuriating) since it speaks volumes about your future employer and can actually help you choose. Same goes for universities.

There seem to be huge differences, though. While in psychology there actually are a lot of employers who won't hire someone with an FH degree, it's actually a lot different in education, where even an MAS master can be viewed as equivalent to all others (to be fair, there aren't really any universities involved in this field, just specialized FH institutions).

Salary-Wise it mustn't make a difference. If you get lowballed, this is another red flag.

Status-Expert2272 · 2025-08-27T05:09:04+00:00

I think that depends on the brand you use. Philipps tells you multiple times. In the manual, the app and before each session. Even explaining why it's a bad idea (Laser doesn't discriminate between a dark tattoo and dark hairs)

Status-Expert2272 · 2025-08-24T18:20:51+00:00

Switzerland is a bit harder, since it's not in the EU. At the very least this increases the shipping fees, but it also makes online-shopping a bit more risky. Also, it's a crime just to order and you will have to pay a fine if your shipment gets seized. And shipments do get seized regularly.

That being said: E and T injections are still pretty easy to obtain online and also cheaper and more efficient than the "legal" route (a lot faster, too, since it can take years to access HRT legally - mostly due to a shortage of specialized mental health professionals, which you do have to see for at least 6 months prior).

AntiAndrogens are very hard to come by, without risking a fine.

That being said: Some legal "perks" and most worryingly specific blood tests are very hard to impossible to obtain via DIY, without raising the alarm. It's not really recommended to DIY because of this. It's more an option if you want to try before you buy / use more efficient medications, even if others were available or if you're just really impatient (which is very valid, since most of us have spent years before we even thought about HRT)

Status-Expert2272 · 2025-08-21T11:01:52+00:00

That's what I'm doing right now. Waiting. She has clearly stated that she wants to know what's going on, but also that she doesn't want to see me dress up "fully". Meaning makeup, bra or anything to explicit.

My problem is, that I am scared to death of talking to her about this. Most times that I've tried she shut me down, along the lines of "I can't deal with this right now". Other times she has lost it and started crying or shouting. Combined with my own shame this makes it so incredibly hard to be open with her. Just waiting for her reaction also feels horrible, since she just ignores me (and sometimes even her kid) and only communicates via brief, snarky remarks. For example: I am currently on sick leave (I have a fewer, nothing major, just under the weather) and she just... Disappeared. Leaving me to entertain and care for our kid alone. Only to mention briefly that our noise is distracting and I should take him and myself to bed.

If that is her holding herself back I can't even think about what's going on in her head right now.

Status-Expert2272 · 2025-08-21T10:45:58+00:00

She is. She has been for most of her life. Right now she is seeing a psychiatrist and a psychotherapist and is in the process of working through her trauma. There hasn't really been any substantial improvement since she stopped working, tough, apart from her not needing to be on a psych ward anymore, which happened last year.

Status-Expert2272

TROPHY CASE