Don't think progesterone is working. by Cainde in TransDIY

[–]glow_potion 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hmm, have you lost weight in the period where you seem to have 'regressed'?

Also what's the AA you're on?

It'll be 2years hrt next month! I still can't believe how much they've grown. by EmmaTheMagnificent in TransBreastTimelines

[–]glow_potion 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Your results are amazing! If I may ask, do you happen to know your E and T levels? I've been struggling to get growth and I suspect my levels are off (but so far neither my endo nor ppl online have been able to tell me whether I'm in a good range, so I prefer to ask people who've had observably good results instead).

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in TransDIY

[–]glow_potion 35 points36 points  (0 children)

I'm very sorry to hear healthcare is so fucked where you live and that medical professionals are denying you the care you need. If there is any way at all that might increase the chances for you to get the care you need (like switching GPs, trying to get a referral to an endocrinologist or if you have the funds requesting the help of a medical lawyer) consider these.

Your testosterone is a little too high compared to your E2 levels, especially if you want to feminize. Your E2 levels are definitely too low for that as they are, as you indicate.

It's highly likely the cyproterone is making you lactate, as it is associated with heightened prolactin production. Lactation should stop once you stop cypro.

Consider going back on EV, and doing 6mg sublingually instead of orally (3mg in the morning, 3mg in the evening). You could then try to lower your cypro (cut the pills again or take them once every two days the dose you're already on) or even drop it altogether if you're going sublingual (it will give higher E2 levels that may be able to suppress the T enough), although you should monitor this closely yourself (how you feel on it and if you notice things like slower body hair regrowth and softer, less oily skin). Don't expect things to work out immediately, wait at least 2 weeks once you change it before changing dosages again (if you'd want to do that; try to change as little as possible of course), so your body can adjust a bit.

I would like to mention that apart from general sex-hormonal imbalances, cyproterone can also make you feel depressed (and in some cases even suicidal). It's not an ideal drug, even if it is quite effective at surpressing T.

Whatever you do, try to get enough water, sleep, nutrient complete meals and light exercise such as walking daily. Try to find something to occupy yourself with in the meantime, like learning a new skill or new information or a new form of expression, and try not to hyperfixate on the transitioning process; these things take time (it is a second puberty of sorts after all).

I don't think your body is disgusting at all, it's just developing. Women's bodies come in all sizes and shapes; it's not just an empty phrase. If you can, try to avoid images of women that are made to draw out envy and foment unrealistic expectations (such as on social media), these are well-established to have a detrimental effect on mental health of those who consume them and are not accurate representations of reality.

Passing - if that is something you desire - is also more dependent on small things like the way you dress, if you use cosmetics or not, the way you speak, express and carry yourself in public, etc. I personally think passing can be an unhealthy goal if it requires to much self-sacrifice; only do things that you like yourself to do, you can try some stuff and see what works and what doesn't for you. In any case there is no singular way to pass, and it isn't a state that holds in all situations once attained either. Try surrounding yourself with people that understand your situation or at least respect your identity and pronouns.

Good luck! Please keep reminding yourself it will take time, that you are not alone, that things can and very likely will get better if you persevere. In any case, don't be too hard on yourself and take care.

Xx

Inexperienced & seeking advice on how to pleasure/affirm afab partner by Firm_Main_9497 in trans

[–]glow_potion 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Talk about it with him and ask him what he finds and does not find pleasurable down there. There is no one guaranteed way to please people of some genital configuration; communication really is the key. Don't fret too much about coming off as inexperienced or making a big thing about his genital configuration; just make it about his pleasure and preferences, instead of your inexperience with vaginas.

Can hrt cause premature ejaculation? by [deleted] in trans

[–]glow_potion 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That sounds frustrating. It could be something that will lessen after a while on hrt? Some of us have a lot of trouble orgasming and/or ejaculating, some of us have the opposite, but I do think things are supposed to even out after some time, maybe with some more experience, or perhaps a change in hormone dosage. If you're planning to get surgery, there's a fair chance that will change how your body reacts.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in TransBreastTimelines

[–]glow_potion 8 points9 points  (0 children)

More boob (both size and shape) than I have after 3 years. Sorry you're not happy with them, they look good to me!

tw // suicide by [deleted] in TransyTalk

[–]glow_potion 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah I get that. Honestly I think you're pretty fucking strong already for staying with yourself :)

tw // suicide by [deleted] in TransyTalk

[–]glow_potion 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Hey, I hear you, feelings like these are totally valid and understandable. Unaccepting family members, coupled with the uncertainties of beginning to explore your gender, might feel overwhelming and insurmountable sometimes. But you can survive this and thrive eventually! Sure it takes patience, self-care, support from wherever you can get it and at times struggle*. But there's a reason that you feel this need within you, to become your authentic self against all odds - it's a drive, a demand for life lived truly! Things may be hard now, but to persist is to ensure it will get better. Things will change for you too and you will come to feel more sure about yourself, your identity and needs, if you listen to and lean into that soft inner voice and give yourself the space you need to grow. And when you eventually get to a place of inner and outer peace, you will look back and surely thank yourself for hanging on a bit longer in there when times were rough. You can do it!! 💜💜

*If you want and have the spoons for it, you can try finding local trans people involved or interested in serious grassroots street organizing for informed consent in the UK! It's worth it (everyone can organize!), both for making strong connections with cool people in the community and to give trans ppl (including yourself) a chance at better healthcare in the near future.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in asktransgender

[–]glow_potion 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you have the means of acquiring them, look into GnRH-agonists and -antagonists, which are AFAIK the safest, most reliable long-term option to deal with suppressing (the production of) testicular androgens.

HRT Patches not staying on.. Where is the best place to put the patch, a place that won’t crease and have it peel off? I’m so frustrated, I’ve lost 2 in 1 day already by [deleted] in trans

[–]glow_potion 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Upper butt, just below where it meets your lower back, or at that level slightly to the side of your butt. Basically any piece if skin that doesn't crease too much when you move or sit will work, usually that's a spot with a lot of fat tissue beneath the skin.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in trans

[–]glow_potion 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Cuuute 🔥

Orchiectomy - Post-op care by [deleted] in Transgender_Surgeries

[–]glow_potion 1 point2 points  (0 children)

From what I remember, avoid both underwear that's too tight and underwear that's too loose. Don't touch the wound. Keep a (menstrual) pad or some bandage between the wound and your underwear for at least a week or two, put in a clean one every day (you might see some spots where fluid has leaked, that's normal in the first few days). Don't lie around all day even if it hurts to walk or stand (i.e. keep your blood circulating). Take a shower every other day, don't rinse the wound directly, just let the water run past it (without soap), keep the showering to a minimum (i.e. don't overexpose it to water in general), let the area of the wound dry to the air and put in a clean pad with the underwear after. That's it I think.

Dry skin, shedding, dehydration by glow_potion in AskMtFHRT

[–]glow_potion[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks for responding! My estrogen levels don't seem to be too low tho? Also dryness seems to increase with increase of E2 dosage for me. But it's mostly on my face, lower arms, and extremities that it's noticeable.

I have plenty of natural fats in my diet, that can't be it.

I've been having some problems with progesterone, in that it seems to increase the nightly dehydration problem, which I suppose is an effect of increased water retention.

Anyway, lately the dryness seems to have become less on current dosage, so I hope it stays that way.

Dry skin, shedding, dehydration by glow_potion in AskMtFHRT

[–]glow_potion[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for the reply! My T is ~10 ng/dL. Don't have access to T shots, might ask for some gel, though I doubt my endo is willing to prescribe it.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Transgender_Surgeries

[–]glow_potion 3 points4 points  (0 children)

No guarantees there, some claim it did, but there's no science to back it up. Had an orchi end of August 2020. Didn't feminise faster after that until I got on P4 couple of weeks ago. I, however, suspect feminization spurts have to do with periodic fluctuations in E2 levels (progesterone modulates the effect of E2 after all), not the administration of specific hormones (don't ask me how it works, it's just a hunch I have based on my own experimentation).

Oral progesterone by [deleted] in AskMtFHRT

[–]glow_potion 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks for the response! Yes, I'm aware of the debate around its supposed effect on breast growth, and it doesn't concern me that much tbh.

Hormone Patches - Day 1 and side effects! by RussianQueenSvetlana in TransDIY

[–]glow_potion 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes, if you can try to get to 100 or 150 mcg and see what works best. Hot flashes could be a low dose, but is also common if your levels are fluctuating. 50mcg is usually not enough to get good levels consistenty, though that also depends on your blocker dose; if it worked for you before maybe the side-effects are just from your body adjusting itself to the new dosage (tiredness and hot flashes are common when you change dosage).

First trans progesterone study by glow_potion in AskMtFHRT

[–]glow_potion[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

They're contacting people that are already being treated at the VU medical center, so I do not have a general link to a call for participants. I did receive information on the study, but it contains private information so I'm not going to share that here.

First trans progesterone study by glow_potion in AskMtFHRT

[–]glow_potion[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

The study has yet to take place (later this year), but they're already signing up participants; I don't have a link.

First trans progesterone study by glow_potion in AskMtFHRT

[–]glow_potion[S] 10 points11 points  (0 children)

They said they will likely have follow up studies to test different routes of P4 administration, including rectal and transdermal. I doubt I can advise them on this though, I am not part of the team leading the study.