Jump to content
  • Welcome to the TransPulse Forums!

    We offer a safe, inclusive community for transgender and gender non-conforming folks, as well as their loved ones, to find support and information.  Join today!

Spironolactone vs Orchidectomy?


ToniTone

Recommended Posts

Hey y'all. Without discussing doses with respect to the rules, I've been reading conflicting medical reports on the effectiveness of perscribed spironolactone as t blocker. I've been on estradiol/spironolactone for going on two months now. I desire to get an orchidectomy down the road, but I'm in no rush. I still need to get set with a gender therapists (at very least to approve it), and while I'm certain about transitioning, I still have my hesitations about surgeries.

 

I feel like my fat distribution and muscle loss is changing subtly. The estradiol/spironolactone combination is so prolific, so there must be something said to it's effectiveness, right?

Link to comment
  • Admin

The T blocking effects of Spiro are actually a "side effect" of its potassium sparing properties as a diuretic used to treat high blood pressure.  I am post-op GCS and still take  it for the blood pressure control use.  Its effectiveness varies from person to person, and must be carefully monitored by their prescribing physician to be sure there is not an unhealthy build up of potassium in the body.  You need potassium for good health, but too much can harm or kill you. There are those who swear by the drug, and those who swear at it.  If your doctor thinks it is safe and useful to you, who am I to argue.  An Orchiectomy may keep you from needing it for Anti T, although I am on it 6 years after my GCS because my doctor thinks I should be.  (Another diuretic drops my potassium much too low.

Link to comment

There’s a new clinical study being conducted by doctors who treat transgender women with HRT and they are comparing the health benefits and risks of all the different methods of administering estrogen and t blockers. They are also discovering that a high enough regulated dose of estrogen has its own anti androgen effects and over time can be just as effective as taking a t blocker. It’s different for everyone but so far they have determined that the most effective way to administer this is through injection of a specific kind of estrogen as opposed to oral or sublingual. So it seems that the most cutting edge HRT method is actually nodding back to the days they didn’t prescribe any t blockers. This has a lot to do with the concerns that many transgender women have raised with their doctors about long term health, even the possible negative effects of estrogen prescribed by other means than injections. I’m seriously going to discuss this with my doctor and request that I be allowed to switch to this method. The drawback is it has to be scheduled as I have to be able to keep the schedule and the cost increase. It’s still an early study but I’m hopeful. 

Link to comment

Yeah, I've read about that. I read somewhere else that the t blocking effect of both combined is enough to null the effect of testosterone, somewhere else that spiro nullifies some of the effect of oral estradiol. 

 

I want an orchi, but I'm being patient about it and transition in general. Surgery/going under kinda preoccupy me (I know it's not a life threatening surgery or anaesthesia, but still), and I'm nowhere near being authorized for it anyway. But I am still taking my options into consideration.

Link to comment

And in the meantime, research! I always had a fascination with medical and surgical related matters.

Link to comment
  • Admin

An orchie is a very personal decision, and any surgery needs careful thought, research and discussions with your doctor before deciding, and you obviously know that already, Toni.  I have read that doctors who manage trans HRT are not as sold on Spiro as a T-blocker as they used to be, probably because of its side effects.

 

I decided on an orchie several years ago so I could get off of Spiro, which was causing me some unwanted side effects, plus I wanted the comfort and physical appearance changes that an orchie could give me.  Once CA mandated coverage for such surgery I jumped at the chance, and was the first trans orchie to be performed within my medical group.

 

Whatever decision you make, Toni, if its the right one for you, then I wish you all the best.

 

Carolyn Marie

Link to comment

Thank you Carolyn Marie, Josie and Vickie! 

Like I said I'm going to be very patient with alot of things, notably the orchi. I'm still pretty early in transition and kinda torn. It is one of those big step, one-way decisions that I should really discuss with a therapist. I guess I'm not too hung up about that aspect of my anatomy, just the rest of it, lol! 

 

I am concerned about the impact of hrt though, the risk to benefit ratio. So far I'm in good health 

Link to comment

And I seem to be taking to it alright. I think my fat distribution has changed subtly too. Not enough to show yet, but it is inspiring some confidence. 

Link to comment

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • Who's Online   4 Members, 0 Anonymous, 118 Guests (See full list)

    • MaybeRob
    • Maddee
    • VickySGV
    • RaineOnYourParade
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      80.7k
    • Total Posts
      768.6k
  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      12,031
    • Most Online
      8,356

    jacobb
    Newest Member
    jacobb
    Joined
  • Today's Birthdays

    1. Adele Svetova
      Adele Svetova
      (25 years old)
    2. BROOKSGLASS
      BROOKSGLASS
      (34 years old)
    3. FinnyFinsterHH
      FinnyFinsterHH
      (16 years old)
    4. fool4luv
      fool4luv
      (26 years old)
    5. itsaddison
      itsaddison
      (20 years old)
  • Posts

    • Abigail Genevieve
      In the forward I learn that transgenderism is bad, and somewhere else that transgender ideology is bad.  I have not yet read a definition of either in the document.  I assume they are the same.  I know Focus on a Family has a definition of transgenderism on their website, or did, but I am not sure this is the same as that.  I might agree that transgenderism is bad if they use a definition I condemn (e.g. transgenderism means you always pour ketchup in your shoes before you put them on - I could not agree to that).  Is someone who believes in transgenderism, whatever it is, a transgenderist? I never see that term.  There may be other definitions out there, but I don't think there is an Official Definition that we all agree to.
    • RaineOnYourParade
      Crazy fact, was gonna go to the school where this went down at before I moved, have a lot of friends there. I know at least one of my friends met the guy on one occasion, not knowing who it was.
    • Abigail Genevieve
      They are thinking of Loudon.  The problem there was the girls were not protected from a known predator, who was moved from one school to another instead being effectively disciplined.  Outlaw school administrators? <sarc>
    • Abigail Genevieve
      How ironic.  I agree with the governor "“You cannot change your gender; you cannot pick your gender…there is a confused group of people that somehow think you can,”    - we are what we are, we are fighting the fact we CANNOT change our gender, which we did not pick.  Many if not all of us would not have picked a trans condition and have sought to evade, deny or move out or resolve it anyway we can.  Those who are confused on this issue are not trans folk.  They want us to change our gender but they deny we can.  Confusion.  
    • Vidanjali
      @FinnyFinsterHH no one can satisfy your questions about what will the future hold. But I can advise you to slow your mind down as much as you're able. Take it slow and one moment at a time. This advice goes beyond the practical reality that that's truly all you can do - further, try to enjoy each moment. It's clear you have a lot of aspirations regarding transition. But it's best to try to accept the bounds of your life circumstances at present because if you develop worries or even resentments about them, that will only make you bitter and more anxious. Instead, try to focus on anything you find affirming. Practice positive self-talk and give yourself affirmations too. Try to let go of expectations of your family members - they can only deal with change to the capacity they're able due to their own life conditions. Allow them grace as you wish they would allow you. Practice patience.   Try this exercise - read through your post and make one list of the positive developments and another of things you cannot control (including the future). If you have a sense of spirituality, offer the second list as a sacrifice to however you understand a higher power - leave it in their hands. If you're not spiritual, then offer it up to hope. Then throw that list away. Keep the list of positives and leave some room on it because guaranteed you'll have more and more to add. Look forward to that, but don't let your mind think it can rush things. Try to enjoy the ride. 
    • Vidanjali
      Happy birthday, Sam! Lotsa love!
    • Abigail Genevieve
      I still have not read much of this.  Very little of this document pertains to trans folk.  Some of the statements are more than problematic concerning trans folk.   It certainly was not written just to get us.   " those with gender dysphoria should be expelled from military service."  and "Reverse policies that allow transgender individuals to serve in the military. Gender dysphoria is incompatible with the demands of military service,"  https://static.project2025.org/2025_MandateForLeadership_CHAPTER-04.pdf are two lines out of hundreds if not thousands regarding the Department of Defense, targeting trans folk in an almost off-hand manner.    So if a fighter pilot, say, or a ship's captain, highly experienced and trained at enormous expense, is determined to be transgender (method unknown) the US loses someone badly needed due to the personnel shortage who is ready, willing and able to perform their duties.  Many trans folk have served well and transitioned later.  I don't think this point is well thought out.    A number of policy recommendations I would disagree with.  I am not sure there is a method to discuss those with the authors; I am attempting to find out.  I have good conservative creds.    They are fully intending to implement this, regardless of who the president is, as long as that president is conservative. It is not Trump centered.  I don't think he had anything to do with it. 
    • April Marie
      I wear a Delimira Mastectomy sleep bra with Vollence sleep rated breast forms. The form fit inside pockets so they don't touch your skin. I bought the bras on Amazon and found the forms on eBay. They were much less expensive than buying through the other sources. 
    • Ashley0616
      I wore an olive corduroy coverall dress with a navy blue shirt underneath. 
    • Ashley0616
      @LittleSamCongratulations on one of the biggest decisions. Looking forward to your progress. 
    • Ivy
      I don't wear a bra to bed.  The girls aren't big enough to need it, but still enough to appreciate.  Just a flannel nightgown suits me fine.
    • Ashley0616
      You're welcome. I'm here quite often if you need me. 
    • Ashley0616
    • Ivy
      Yeah, that is the point.  And of course they can be proud of themselves for saving humanity.   Yeah.  That would be scary.  I'd find a bush somewhere like our GOP governor candidate recommends.  So far I've gotten away with the women's.  I've been told I pass better than I realize.  But it would only take one a55h0le.   This is all so stupid.  I mean, who gets off on hanging out in a bathroom?
    • Ashley0616
      Oh yes. It was not fun cleaning it up but he is better.
  • Upcoming Events

Contact TransPulse

TransPulse can be contacted in the following ways:

Email: Click Here.

To report an error on this page.

Legal

Your use of this site is subject to the following rules and policies, whether you have read them or not.

Terms of Use
Privacy Policy
DMCA Policy
Community Rules

Hosting

Upstream hosting for TransPulse provided by QnEZ.

Sponsorship

Special consideration for TransPulse is kindly provided by The Breast Form Store.
×
×
  • Create New...