So, a day after writing my last piece about being on estrogen for six months, I have finally started testosterone blockers. And about time, too.
I turned up at my local GP surgery and had a bit of a chat with one of the docs there – a Scottish chap who I’ve seen before about my transition.
He’d clearly not seen either of the letters sent by my endo before – the ones recommending I start blockers – so I pointed them out and he duly read them.
Then he asked me if I’d like to start blockers. Well, erm, yeah. That’s kinda the point, doc. He then made me out a prescription and told me to make an appointment with the nurse.
So I headed round to the corner to the pharmacy, got my prescription and made an appointment to see the nurse. As luck would have it., it was only an hour or so later.
Then I turned up to see the nurse, who told me I didn’t need to buy the prescription at all – the jab is provided by the surgery. But I couldn’t get a refund because the chemist doesn’t accept drugs back – they may have been tampered with.
Great. Oh well, at least the jabs will be free in the future. So she stuck the (very big!) needle in my arm and sent me off on my merry way, safe in the knowledge that testosterone will be told in no uncertain terms to “do one” for the next three months, and, well, forever really.
As well as the usual warnings about “shrinkage” and impotence, I was warned about hot flushes – and told that my libido may shoot up to insane levels for a week or so before settling down to something waaaay lower.
Two days on, I feel about the same. Certainly not some horn-monster. No hot flushes either (phew).
It’s good to know that my T-levels are about to fall off the cliff, though, and the estrogen can finally begin doing what it’s supposed to.
The only side effect I can report is that I felt like someone had punched me hard in the arm, where the injection was. That’s all but worn off now, though, but it was pretty ouchy for a few hours afterwards.
I suppose my only slight concern revolves around strength. While it will be amazing to lose muscle mass, I do long distance cycling – rides of up to 200 miles at once – so I’m just a teeny bit concerned that my leg muscles will suffer.
I guess the only way to combat that is simply to cycle more often. There are plenty of cis women doing the same rides I do, so it will still be possible to do them, but I may have to work on my strength a bit more than at present.
The T-blocker I’m taking is called Leuprorelin (Prostap 3), aka Lupron, and I get 11.25 microgrammes every three months.
To be honest, there doesn’t seem to be much online about it. If you Google it, the main results you get are scare stories on TERF websites complaining about its use as a puberty blocker in trans kids.
Most trans women in the US use a blocker called Spironolactone, or “Spiro”, but I’ve asked a few trans friends and they’ve also been prescribed Lupron on the NHS – and it’s doing the trick for them. I shall, of course, report the effects on here, as and when they happen.
In other news, I had more blood tests yesterday, to find out my E levels (I think they were so low last time because my patch had become unstuck). So I feel a bit like a pin cushion today.
I had a work deadline yesterday, which was duly smashed, so I now have plenty of freedom. The next few weeks will involve doing my tax return, doing housey stuff and working more on my book, which I’ve not touched for ages. I have no idea when it will be out – but it is happening, probably as one volume, though, not two.
I may also be changing careers in the new year, so I’m really, really excited about that. More on that later.
Oh, and I’ve been out en femme more of late, too. I went to a restaurant with my good friend Caz last Friday night. Everything went perfectly. I was then feeling so confident that I went to my local micropub afterwards, too, and met some friends there.
Again, no problems apart from the landlady’s other half staring at me – but that was only because he’d been on an 8% beer and was shitfaced! I went back there last night, and we laughed about it. Landlady is super-supportive as are all the staff who work there.
Life’s all good just now, and I’m really looking forward to the future.
Andie xxx
Isla says
Yay! Glad you got your blocker sorted Andie. Intrigued re the career change!
Andie Pas de Deux says
Thanks angel! Won’t say too much more about it as I don’t want to jinx it, but it would involve presenting as female every day, so would be brilliant to get me out of my comfort zone. I’d also be doing a job I’d love and working with a fabulous friend, so it would really tick so many boxes. xxx
Annie Miller says
Fellow cyclist who is 4 months into HRT. I am very interested in how you feel it’s affecting your cycling. I am on a low dose to start but already noticed things going south quickly. I agree with you in that I ride with some cisgender women who mostly do just fine but this is the only thing I will miss. I’m also 54 so in no danger of setting PRs any more anyway.
Andie Pas de Deux says
Hi Annie, apologies but I’ve only just seen this message – it had gone into my junk folder, sorry! TBH, I’m a fair-weather cyclist, so I haven’t been out since last November – too cold! I’ll be starting again this month, so will try and post something when I know how the blockers have affected my muscles. xxx
Tommy says
Hey i am new tonthis and been taking estrogen for women the plant based pill and puerifica mirifica for breadt growwth….would like to talk yo soneone
Andie Pas de Deux says
Be careful. If your E levels go too high, you’re at risk of DVT – don’t make the mistakes I made.