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I am a transexual in search of the proper amount of progesterone

by Franki
(Rockledge, Florida)

I have spent a good deal of time attempting to find out how much progesterone I should be taking.

I am on hormones and my estrogen levels are fine, but my salivary progesterone test results showed my progesterone to be high, but this site showed that they appear to be normal. Since I started taking progesterone to help with a "big chest", and other feminine traits and my doctor does not know what my optimum level should be.

I am hoping that you might have some informaton for transexuals since you have some really interesting and informative information here for females and males, but I am a transexual.

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Mar 21, 2011
 I am a transexual in search of the proper amount of progesterone
by: Wray

Hi Franki I have had queries from other transexuals, but they are scattered over the site. Maybe we should start a web page specifically for that. I've done more research on it as I seem to be getting more queries. I'm no expert, but reading studies on transexual hormone replacement, plus those on conventional HRT and TRT, several things become apparent. But I'm also left with questions too. For instance the enyzme aromatase naturally converts testosterone into oestrogen. In fact all women make more testosterone each month than oestrogen. But most of the testosterone is converted into oestrogen. Why therefore don't they use aromatase to convert the high testosterone in a male to female transexual, instead of pumping them full of synthetic hormones? I can find no studies where they have used it, in fact PubMed replied asking if I was looking for gene info! But aromatase inhibitors are given to men and women who have excess oestrogen. Ironically bodybuilders also take it to prevent the extra testosterone they take from converting to oestrogen and causing gynecomastia. This is of course what a transexual wants, larger breasts. Incidentally progesterone doesn't cause large breasts, as it's not a mitgoen like oestrogen. It causes instead differentiation, see here and here. Although it does play a role in further breast lobulo-alveolar development during pregnancy. Many things stand out for me, oral oestrogen increases the risk of venous thrombosis, whereas transdermal does not. That pharmacological doses of oestrogen can cause prolactinomas. That ethinyl estradiol treatment can induce insulin resistance. That ethinyl estradiol and cyproterone acetate increases stiffness in the femoral and brachial arteries. Conjugated oestrogens can increase the risk of heart attack. One study looked at the long term adverse effects of hormone therapy on mortality. They found it was higher in male to female transexuals, due to suicide, AIDS, cardiovascular disease, drug abuse and unknown causes. Concluding that death was mainly due to non-hormone related causes. And yet the risk for cardiovascular disease is directly attributable to oestrogen and antiandrogens. As for suicide, both oestrogen and the antiandrogens decrease the precursor aminos to dopamine and serotonin. It doesn't surprise me suicide is high. In fact women suffer depression far more frequently than men, because of their endogenous oestrogen, plus the Contraceptives they take. There is of course the risk of breast cancer too. I'm running out of space so will start a new comment below. Take care Wray
Mar 21, 2011
 I am a transexual in search of the proper amount of progesterone
by: Wray

Hi again Franki I don't know what 'oestrogen' you are on, or what 'progesterone' either, as you don't say. And when they test for the 'progesterone' what are they finding. Synthetic or natural? Most transexuals are given 'antiandrogens', flutamide, cyproterone acetate, spironolactone, chlormadinone acetate, megestrol acetate or medroxyprogesterone acetate. Of these the only real antiandrogen is flutamide, the rest all have androgenic properties, see here, here and here. These all stimulate cellular growth, this is the reason men given them can develop gynecomastia. I'm always amazed at the high oestrogen doses transexuals are given, far higher than women normally make. So I'm still left wondering why aromatase is not used to convert the testosterone into oestrogen naturally. Why they don't always use a natural transdermal oestrogen and transdermal progesterone too. Why the synthetics instead, unless of course it's because they come in 'doses' which doctors understand. Many find it difficult to believe transdermal hormones work, and how does one 'dose' them. Provided sufficient cream/gel is used, they are far easier to work with. I don't understand why breast implants are not used, instead of increasing the oestrogen to dangerous levels. After all thousands of women have these done if they have small breasts. To my mind a far safer alternative than oestrogen. I've again run of of space, so have started a new comment below. Take care Wray
Mar 21, 2011
 I am a transexual in search of the proper amount of progesterone
by: Wray

Hi Franki These are a few papers you might like to read here, here, here, here, here, here, here here here here, here, here, here and here. To answer your question, as I don't know what your progesterone levels are, if in fact they are progesterone, I can't really answer it. One thing you should be aware of, (if it is progesterone you are taking) oral progesterone is the least effective Delivery system. We do have more info on How to use progesterone which you might like to look through. One thing I'd like to add, progesterone is very safe, so the levels I recommend to women, are as safe for them as they are for men. In fact very high amounts are given via IV transfusion to brain trauma victims, over 70% of which are men, see here. Take care Wray
Feb 04, 2013
 dosent work
by: Anonymous

Hi hon progesterone dosent work on transsexuals there has been no proof that its makes brests grow its estrogen thats makes them grow.
Feb 06, 2013
 dosent work
by: Wray

Hi there Progesterone is only involved in the lobular development of breasts, which occurs after the breasts have grown in puberty. The reason for it's use in both women and transexuals is it's protective role against oestrogen induced breast cancer. Take care Wray
Dec 29, 2014
 Help!
by: Anonymous

Hi, by now you have found your answer, but I'm writing to for some unrelated questions dealing with TG DIG/DG and HRT. I was hoping you could give me some insight, please contact me at GID@reborn.com, and please to all others this is a temp email...
Thank you
Dec 30, 2014
 reply to Anonymous and info for AFTER my Sex Change
by: Franki from Rockledge

Dear Anonymous,

You asked that I contact you so I will email you in a few more minutes after I compose this message.

After my sex change, I had to dilate 3 times a day for about 4 months. My life revolved around keeping my new opening opened and not having my body "heal" and close the opening up. After 4 months, I dropped down to 2 times a day for the next 2 months, then 1 time a day for the next 2 months and then I have gradually tapered off. It is now about 1 every 4 - 10 days depending on my mood. I went to one of the best sex surgeons in the world, Dr. Suporn Watanyusakul at the Suporn Clinic in Chonburi, Thailand. I was looked after for a month. I did not have any true sexual feeling for over two years. Only recently was I so TIRED AND EXHAUSTED all of the time that I went to an endocrinologist and he told me that my testosterone levels were so low that it was a health hazard. I started taking bioidentical testosterone and my sex drive came back and I orgasmed for the 1st time in 2 years. So TESTOSTERONE is Necessary. I was given the idea or belief that as a transgender that I should have real low testosterone, but that is not a real wise idea.

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