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

Click here to add your own comments

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

Click here to add your own comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How?
Simply click here to return to Progesterone for men

Return to Home Page

Search over 3,000 pages on this site...

Do you have a progesterone deficiency?

This free questionnaire will tell you in 10 minutes

Just enter your email address and click the button...

Why do I ask for your email address? Simply so I can stay in touch. Your details will not be revealed to anyone


Do you have a question or concern?

See what's being discussed, ask for help, give your thoughts or experiences, or just browse...

See the FAQ pages...


Natural Progesterone Cream

Discover the facts...


Health care practitioners and therapists

Here's an
Associate Program
that may be a good fit for your practice


Your language

Translate this website into your language