Hormones AS THERAPY

[MichelleChristine]

This question is not related to the physical aspects of hormones, but more of the mental. Has anyone who has suffered from depression and anxiety ever taken a small dosage of estrogen (prescribed) to help stabilize your mood? Disregarding the physical changes (if any) from the small amount, do you feel better. Did it actually change your mood or was it more of a "calming effect".

[JoAnne Wheeler]

I have heard that hormones can help with depression and anxiety in us girls. One of my gender therapists told me that the hormones would help me in this way.

However, I have not experienced that. Of course, my depression and anxiety have been exacerbated by my Spouse since I started my Transition.

So far, all I have gotten out of my hormones and blockers is atrophied genitals and larger breasts and nipples.

So I am in favor of hormone therapy - even though it has not relieved my anxiety and depression.

JoAnne Wheeler

[Mea GG]

As a GG taking estrogen for a long time, I think it can be more a matter of being less irritated by things and less bitchy to others.

Like when my old bf would say, 'have you taken your pills?" and I'd snarl at him, then go check and I had missed taking them...then I'd REALLY be mad at him...
and the only times he asked he was right...so it might be something others see more than you.

Maybe I just think everything and everybody is behaving better when properly medicated...

So there is a difference, but I'm not sure I feel it myself so much.

[luvSophia]

This is just my opinion, but I think that if your depression is a symptom of gender dysphoria then yes, hormones will help to alleviate it. They did for me. Conversely, standard anti-depressants do not do much at all for gender dysphoria.

[Super Amanda]

For many, many gals it sure has helped ease their gender anxiety, but I think it's from the T-blockers more than the E. You're gonna have to ask your doctor to be sure what you can do.

[EnglishRose]

Probably helps in no small way to know that you're actually doing something proactive; even if it is a "placebo effect", the psychological impact has to be huge.

[GypsyKaren]

I'm severely bipolar and have been on just about every med there is, I now have permanent brain and nerve damage from the side effects. I've been totally off meds for quite some time now, the HRT really helped calm things down, especially after my surgery. I can still get a bit dicey every now and then, but it's nowhere as bad as it used to be, and nothing I can't handle.

Karen :g2:

[Daenna Paz]

It has definitely centered my thinking!!

[Faith_G]

For many, many gals it sure has helped ease their gender anxiety, but I think it's from the T-blockers more than the E. You're gonna have to ask your doctor to be sure what you can do.I've been on just spiro for a little over 2 months and I haven't noticed any improvement in that area. I am seeing the other t-blocker side effects (lowered energy level, losing strength and muscle mass) and spiro side effects (peeing a lot, low blood pressure) so I know the stuff is working as advertised.

[morgan pure]

Yes, yes, yes. I never realized how depressed I'd been until I took es. I have had many deep depressions, real bad episodes, persistant and recurring suicidal thoughts. You know that hopeless feeling. Now, only twice in the past 2 years.

Well, since I started es I've had the most difficult work and financial year of my life, in relationship limbo, but it's been my absolute happiest. I recommenbd it highly.

M

[ggtracy]

My SO takes a low dose of E only. And it definately has a calming effect on him and stablizes his depression.

[MichelleChristine]

Thank you all for your replies. The information is helpful to me.

[Traci Elizabeth]

For me, I am a lot calmer, a lot happier, and almost euphoric at times. I am on both estrogen & spiro (mega dose to bring my blood pressure down).

But I can't answer which of the two or combination thereof is causing these positive effects.

[Jennifer in CO]

Yes... VERY long story short. I went to the Dr about 9-10 months ago. I was having a urinary problem they thought was an enlarged prostate. Well, it kinda was. My Dr, bless her heart ran, in addition to regular blood tests, my estrogen level. All guys have some and mine was almost non-existent. She kidded me about my 'menopause' and decided to put me on a low dose (see..I didn't put in how much!!). Since the asthma meds I take already are not especially liver friendly, we went with the patch (Climara). Since she knows me, she ran the level to a fairly high level for a male. Urinary problem went away as did my 'edginess' with generally everyone due to work/stress. The problem is I developed a rash under the patch which we thought was associated with the adhesive but after changing patch manufacturers and lowering the dose, it hasn't gone away. So, she has admitted that before she takes me off HRT she is going to do more research...

Jenn

[natasha]

I can't begin to explain how much better I feel, percieve, and react to things.

Jennifer, I use Divigel. No patches or adheisive to worry about. Works for me.:2c:

[lizlizzie]

My spouse is M2F and taking spiro and estrogen. My spouse is bipolar, which was diagnosed before the gender issue came to light. To shorten the story, she can't take antidepressants, this past fall her bipolar seemed very unstable to me. In January she started the hormone and the bipolar has leveled out again and as a person she is much calmer, less combatitive, easier to talk to, doesn't overreact as easily - I like her better on hormones.

[inessa]

My SO takes a low dose of E only. And it definately has a calming effect on him and stablizes his depression.

What physical effects has your SO noticed? How long has the treatment been? Thanks!