Hormone Blockers Vs Hormones

[Guest carly54]

I have been going to a therapist for a little more than four months and in that time he has suggested that instead of starting hormones I start Hormone blockers. I don't know much about hormone blockers and what they do, does anyone have any info? Should I push to start hormones instead?

[Guest RainBird]

Hey Carly

I would stay with what my doctor advises as they will determine what is suitable to you according to your blood/hormone levels, hormones are not something that should be adjusted or changed without a doctors go-ahead, it can be dangerous to your health both physically and mentally. If you trust your doctor, please do what they advise and you will have the best chances for a successful transition

I hope this helps

xxoo

[Guest Snow Angel]

Blockers delay your male puberty so it's easier to develop female secondary sex characteristics. If you get blockers now, it will save you some money and pain in the future if you do decide to transition to woman. (You won't need as much facial electrolysis, you won't need an adam's apple shave, you won't need to work as hard to develop a female voice). They are quite a godsend for a teen who hasn't experienced a puberty and think they might be trans. I wish I had known about them when I was 15. Blockers are reversible, so in a few years from now if you decide you want to stay male, you could just stop taking blockers and experience a late normal male puberty. Hormones are permanent, blockers aren't. Your therapist does not want to give you real hormones yet because they don't know if you are ready. They are concerned for your future and mental well-being. I would say just go with the flow and try the blockers for awhile, and continue therapy to find out if transition is right for you.

[Guest Michele H]

Sounds like you may have a really good thearapist - From the message thread is sound like you are young enough that you have not yet hit puberty - if that is the case, then you are lucky he is willing to even allow you to go on blockers - many won't allow anything until you are 18 and Snow Angel is right - the blockers will allow you and therapist the extra time for you to both feel comfortable in your decision before starting non-reversable treatments.

[Guest carly54]

Thanks for your input guys, it really helps.

[Guest CharlieRose]

Blockers delay your male puberty so it's easier to develop female secondary sex characteristics. If you get blockers now, it will save you some money and pain in the future if you do decide to transition to woman. (You won't need as much facial electrolysis, you won't need an adam's apple shave, you won't need to work as hard to develop a female voice). They are quite a godsend for a teen who hasn't experienced a puberty and think they might be trans. I wish I had known about them when I was 15. Blockers are reversible, so in a few years from now if you decide you want to stay male, you could just stop taking blockers and experience a late normal male puberty. Hormones are permanent, blockers aren't. Your therapist does not want to give you real hormones yet because they don't know if you are ready. They are concerned for your future and mental well-being. I would say just go with the flow and try the blockers for awhile, and continue therapy to find out if transition is right for you.

Sorry to hijack the thread, but do you know how much of this is true for FTMs? My mom doesn't want me to do anything permanent... And if estrogen blockers can help me, at least a bit (if they even exist... The phrase seems wrong in my head) then I might ask her about them, even though I'm already almost seventeen.

[Guest Snow Angel]

I didn't think they existed, but apparently they do. I think Drew said he was on them since age 14? Ask Drew or hopefully he sees this.

[Guest Ashley Hun]

Don't mean to hijack, but I think I've fully gone through male puberty and I'm 16. I can grow a full beard and I also have a relatively high sex drive. What would doctors possibly do for me, if any are willing to help? I would be content to at least be able to enjoy an androgynous face, not exactly going to feel like my hopes and dreams were crushed if I can only get an androgynous face. I can still accent my face a certain way to make it looks lightly feminine, if I have my hair medium length and styled a certain way, if I'm at a real good weight, etc. But you can still tell it's masculine, but just with femine characteristics. It's hard to describe, but if I don't accent it a certain way, it'll just be the default: a face of a 25 year old male with a mean facial expression. I hate the feeling, but yeah just wondering if it would be too late for hormone blockers or if I'll just go straight to the Estrogen. I have a decent estrogen level, higher than what a lot of males would have, but my testosterone is also average range.

My apologies for being so messy.

[Guest Jack Solomon]

Sorry to hijack the thread, but do you know how much of this is true for FTMs? My mom doesn't want me to do anything permanent... And if estrogen blockers can help me, at least a bit (if they even exist... The phrase seems wrong in my head) then I might ask her about them, even though I'm already almost seventeen.

They definately exist, there are several types on the market. Estrogen blockers usually refer to anti-estrogens such as Tamoxifen (also called Nolvadex). A related class of meds collectively known as "aromatase inhibitors" are used for similar purposes (Femara is one example). Both anti-estrogens and aromatase inhibitors typically are taken if females (and some males) have certain conditions, such as breast cancer or certain complications during menopause. They are sometimes prescribed in pre-op FTMs, typically before testosterone is started (ie, on their own), or in conjunction with testosterone. Sometimes aromatase inhibitors have been less commonly used on adolescent females whose projected adult height is low (because estrogen aids in fusing the bones at a lower height. Aromatase inhibitors prevent the process of T converting into E as well as its use of inhibiting estrogen). Both types would indeed help you for preventing your body from feminizing further and can lessen some of the effects of female puberty. At seventeen, most of your bone structure is probably mostly done feminizing (hips, etc), but they will inhibit the estrogen in your system and allow your Testesterone levels to be more unhindered.

Of course, you will still have to be able to get a prescription from a transsexual-friendly doctor who is aware of your condition, because it is likely most doctors will otherwise not prescribe estrogen blockers to someone in their teens who doesn't otherwise have an endo condition that requires them.

Hope that helps,

Solomon

[Guest CharlieRose]

Thanks very much. :-)

[Guest Rayne]

I have been going to a therapist for a little more than four months and in that time he has suggested that instead of starting hormones I start Hormone blockers. I don't know much about hormone blockers and what they do, does anyone have any info? Should I push to start hormones instead?

Hormone blockers keep the hormones from binding in your blood.

Your body naturally produces both estrogen and testosterone anyway. Your doctor is saying start slow. Block the T your body is making and allow your bodies own estrogen to take over and see how you like the changes.

Taking them both together - as most TS's do - works great, but the effects ARE permenant. Once you have breasts, they're yours.

Testosterone blockers make it easier for the estrogen to do it's job and it has more effect.

Try what your doctor says. You might feel the effects of the testosterone blocker and might change your mind about hormones. If not, you can always tell him you want to start estrogen too.