Trans issues, Request for HRT advice, TMI
This may be potentially quite personal, but I can't think of a better group of folks to ask than right here.
I am planning to discuss HRT with a medical professional very soon. The research I've done seems to indicate that the "One Size Fits All" prescription will involve 100mg-200mg spironolactone as an antiadrogen. Some cursory research also indicates that many trans women feels spironolactone is abysmal, causing numerous negative side effects, and inhibiting some of the desired feminization of hormones like estradiol (apparently it can prevent proper breast development).
I'm curious what people's experiences are, and what questions would be best to ask my physician when specifically discussing prescriptions and dosages? Are there alternatives I should request? Is spiro actually fine so long as the dosage is moderated appropriately?
Any general advice about how best to start this process would be tremendously appreciated. Thank you, friends ❤️
(And god damn do I kinda hate myself that NOW is when I am 'starting' the process. Ugh.)
re: Trans issues, Request for HRT advice, TMI
@Phorm I found that a high dosage of Spiro caused me to faint after significant physical exertion. That was under a high dose as the standard wasn't getting my T as low as I wanted to begin with. However, a lower (read: normal dose) plus Finasteride not only keeps my T levels low, but has also resulted in significant recovery of hair loss. Spiro's fine as far as I've been on it.
re: Trans issues, Request for HRT advice, TMI
@Phorm Yup, I take 2x 50mg daily for 100mg total. I had problems at around 200mg daily, I think. I drink a lot of water every day anyway so the "you have to pee a lot" effects weren't really particularly noticeable.
re: Trans issues, Request for HRT advice, TMI
@Soreth
Oh gosh, thank you for clarifying that. I tend to use the bathroom CONSTANTLY already, because I wind up drinking water liberally - I was worried that once I start, I'll be in the bathroom every 15 minutes.