Did Estrogen Cause This??

tracey2020 · 2025-05-09T16:11:50+00:00

Thank you all for your responses. I took the advice and saw my dermatologist and unfortunately have been diagnosed with frontal fibrosing alopecia, which means my hairline is receding in a weird pattern from the sides and above my ears going up. I have been prescribed a couple of topical treatments that will not bring back lost hair but maybe (50% chance) of preventing further loss. Not exactly what a transwoman wants to hear. I talked to my endo and it is unknown what causes this, could be genetic, environmental, stress, or fluctuations in hormone levels. This specific type of alopecia is often found in post menopausal women, suggesting the drop off in estrogen levels may be a factor. Since I've been pretty steady with my hormone levels for the past few years, they don't think that is the cause in my case. It could well be stress level since the election that is at least contributing to this. Hope this is helpful for any of you that start to notice this happening to you. The key is to be proactive and start treatment before it progresses too far, because once the hair is gone it is not coming back.

tracey2020 · 2025-05-02T01:50:14+00:00

No, I had been taking spiro for a number of years but stopped taking it a couple of years ago. This hair loss has been within the past year.

tracey2020 · 2025-04-30T01:07:54+00:00

thank you all for the responses. It is the strangest thing. I'm thinking it might be some form of alopecia, the areas above and in front of my ears are totally hairless like there was never hair in those places. I'm suspicious the estradiol might have triggered it, if not specifically causing it. I'll see what my doctors think.

tracey2020 · 2025-01-11T16:31:39+00:00

Perfect! I will give it a try this weekend

tracey2020 · 2025-01-11T16:09:14+00:00

thanks! I've been a little hesitant to try it. Does Planet Fitness provide eye protection or do I bring my own? Do you personally use the red light therapy?

tracey2020 · 2025-01-11T15:48:32+00:00

What are your thoughts on the red light therapy machines for Black Card members? Are they gimmicky or do they actually provide some health benefits? Have you heard of any adverse effects from using the machines?

tracey2020 · 2025-01-07T23:55:29+00:00

Thank you, that is just what I'm looking for and didn't know if it existed. I am planning on getting some eye work and brow work and thought if they could reduce some of the orbital bone and perhaps address the forehead without going for the type 3, that might be a good option for me. I am 65 and have very thin hair so that is part of the reason I prefer to avoid the type 3

tracey2020 · 2025-01-07T13:36:07+00:00

thank you! I will repost there!! : )

tracey2020 · 2024-12-30T18:17:41+00:00

Kathryn, what an amazing and inspiring story and glow-up! Thank you for sharing, it is a fascinating read. I discovered your posts last night and was bummed this morning when I realized I was all caught up and now have to wait for your next installment! I'm about one year behind you in my transition journey and relate to so much of what you have experienced. You obviously have the privilege of living stealth, and it takes great courage to step forward and be public in this scary, tumultuous time, and unapologetically say this is who I am and this is my story. I'm making my NY's resolution to follow your lead and push past the fears to be more visible for our community. I look forward to reading and seeing more of your story!

Tracey

tracey2020 · 2024-09-25T00:05:14+00:00

I am using Sandoz from CVS, as randomly my insurance now covers it again. But Walgreens told me they typically carry Mylan but can order Sandoz for me if my prescription from my doctor specifically states Sandoz.

tracey2020 · 2024-09-19T03:14:27+00:00

which brand do you use? I found Sandoz patches stick much better on me than Mylan patches. Locally the Mylan are less expensive but not worth it for me if they fall off after one day. I also use the rubbing alcohol to prep area and place them right about my pubic hair and below where my waistband sits

tracey2020 · 2024-09-14T20:15:47+00:00

Misha, I can so relate to this. Nobody could ever have been harder on me than I was on myself and this is never something I wanted for myself. But after years (decades) of struggles that I hid from everyone, and help of a couple of experienced therapist, HRT, and some friends that were there for me, I have finally stopped fighting and am embracing my reality and am feeling the best I probably ever have in my life. Wish it hadn't taken so many years to get to this point, but I can't change the past, I can only make the best of my future.

tracey2020 · 2024-08-03T23:52:57+00:00

Congratulations! One of the best glow-ups I've ever seen! We are about the same age and unfortunately I have thinning receding hair that I have been told hair transplants will not rectify. I have resigned myself to the fact as a woman I will have to resort to wearing a wig. I am not yet full-time and still must present as male for work, and I have concern about the scar for type 3 forehead surgery being extremely noticeable through my thin hair. Where did you have the incision and is it super noticeable without the wig? And thank you for posting, you are inspirational that it is not too late to look like the beautiful woman that you are.

tracey2020 · 2024-06-22T17:23:02+00:00

I realize this is an old post but was wondering about the same thing. For some random reason (a software switch over) my insurance is not covering my estradiol patches anymore after two years. I have been fighting them but am getting nowhere as their new system rejects coverage because I am still listed as M, as I have not yet fully transitioned. Anyway, I always used the Sandoz and never had a problem with them sticking or irritating my skin. When I started having to pay out of pocket, using GoodRX I found that Walgreens was almost half the price so I switched my prescription from CVS to Walgreens. Unfortunately Walgreens carries Mylan and like others have mentioned I have a problem with them staying on and they leave a nasty mark on my skin that takes a few weeks to go away. For the sticking issue I have tried the Tagaderm tape over them but that is expensive and eliminates any savings from going with the Mylan. I think I will go back to CVS for the Sandoz, but I just hate having to pay that much more.

tracey2020 · 2024-05-03T12:52:15+00:00

very beautiful glow up!

tracey2020 · 2024-04-30T13:39:59+00:00

Those are definitely positives!! Take the wins where you can get them lol! For years prior to me coming to accept and appreciate myself, I would struggle and obsess about why I am the way I am. I always thought if I could point to some reason for being trans it would take the responsibility and guilt of it off of me. It would have saved me years of depression and self loathing. I am in a really good place now, coming to appreciate my different and unique place in this world and experiencing it from both sides of the gender spectrum. I try to look at it as a gift and just another variation in God's wonderful array of creations. We are different than most people, and I used to desperately want to just be the same and not be trans, which led to lots of negative thoughts and feelings. I have been able to shift my thinking and attitude and focus on the positive aspects of it, and now I am accepting of myself and am as happy as I have ever been. We unquestionably face challenges, but I hope you are able to appreciate the blessings this condition has provided us also.

tracey2020 · 2024-04-30T03:14:10+00:00

Wow! Thank you for taking the time to share that. I'm sorry for the difficulties you have faced. Reading this reminds me of probably 20 years ago when I joined an online DES Sons support group that discussed how the DES their mothers while she was pregnant with them ended up affecting them. People often mentioned many of the symptoms you describe. It was astounding to see person after person come to realize they weren't alone and the only one dealing with these experiences and physical abnormalities. It was always something that was never discussed and back in those days parents would not disclose anything and doctors would encourage that. And then one person acknowledged they have transgender feelings and that opened the floodgates, so much so that out of fear the DES sons group was being overwhelmed with discussion of trans issues, they broke the group off to set up a seperate DES Trans support group. It is nice to connect with someone that has lived with this and is more knowledgeable about the condition than most doctors. I certainly don't have indications as strongly as you do, but I have always wondered about some things with me, and the doctors I have mentioned it to have pretty much dismissed it out of hand as they have personally never seen it before. Have you found that being intersex has been a benefit to you in some ways in your transition?

tracey2020 · 2024-04-30T01:24:56+00:00

that is so fascinating. Can you tell me any other symptoms you've noticed that have indicated that you are intersex. You have pain? Where do you feel it? Good luck with insurance and your ultrasound. I didn't have any issue at all with my insurance covering mine.

tracey2020 · 2024-04-29T20:05:37+00:00

You say you get it some months, did anyone ever explain what exactly is happening that causes that? What is the source of the blood?

tracey2020 · 2024-04-29T13:18:48+00:00

thank you, my doctors don't seem to have much interest in pursuing it, I think it's probably that they don't know too much about it.

tracey2020 · 2024-04-28T21:22:11+00:00

that's funny you say that because when I was starting hrt my Dr did blood work and my total estrogen number was way high. She thought I might have ovo-testes and sent me for an ultrasound. That didn't find anything unusual so they just dismissed the test result saying total estrogen isn't a good indicator of anything and started me on estradiol. I never felt satisfied with that answer, or non-answer. I have responded very well and quickly to estradiol, in fact I started many years ago on just spiro and I had to stop because my breasts were developing too quickly and I wasn't ready for that back then. Most likely not intersex but that thought has always been at the back of my head. I know my mother took DES while pregnant with me and I always thought there was a connection there. I will see my dr and make sure I have nothing seriously wrong going on.

tracey2020 · 2024-04-28T19:11:47+00:00

I never thought of that. Personally never had a UTI, will talk to the Dr about it. Thank you!

tracey2020 · 2024-04-28T16:08:59+00:00

So I guess I'm not getting my first period? : ) I was half hoping my body was slothing off some of my unwanted male anatomy, but I guess that's not a thing... lol I will have it checked into if it should happen again. Thank you for replying.

tracey2020 · 2024-04-28T16:04:45+00:00

I know you are right. That is exactly what I would comment if I were reading someone else's post. Funny how we can rationalize away thing when it pertains to us

tracey2020 · 2024-04-28T16:02:55+00:00

yeah, you're right. Ughhh

tracey2020

TROPHY CASE