PLEASE!! No experiments - meet your Doctor!! Sabine
MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCES WITH HERBAL HORMONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY
Copyright 1997
Disclaimer: This information is given for general purposes only and is not warranted or guaranteed or construed as medical advice. These are my personal observations only. It is highly recommended that anyone engaging in taking these products be fully advised of their effects and side effects and be under the supervision of a licensed medical practitioner.
In 1995 at age 40, my marriage of 14 years was on the rocks. My wife and three children were afraid of me because of my semi-violent temper. I had never struck any of them or beat them, but I yelled a lot and threw horrible temper tantrums. Eventually, I was relegated to the basement for months at a time. According to my wife, it was either that or move out of the house. I loved my children, though, and chose the basement instead of being alone (and broke).
I loved my wife and my children, though, and did not want to lose them. Consequently, I finally resigned myself to seeing a doctor for some type of medication. He first prescribed Paxil, which worked a little but made me too sleepy to work effectively. After 3 months, he switched me to Effexor which had wonderful effects on my temper. I was able to move back upstairs.
I went back to the doctor with a strange request. I told him that I wanted to REDUCE my sex drive. Most of the fights with my wife, I told him, were because of my high sex drive. If I could reduce my libido, I reasoned, maybe we could work things out and I could save my marriage. I had done some research on the Internet and found a drug called Depo-Provara which was used to "chemically castrate" sexually-violent criminals. The dosages were usually 200 mg and given by injection. Was there something in a lower dosage that might do the same job, I asked him?
After reading my printouts from the Internet and consulting his drug encyclopedia, he agreed to letting me try it. He prescribed 10 mg per day of Provara, which was about the dosage the women are given as part of hormone replacement therapy. Within a couple months, I had settled on 20 mg per day and have kept that up now for over a year.
The Provara has worked wonders. First of all, in conjunction with the Effexor, my temper is under control and the Provara has reduced my sex drive to a manageable level. I have trouble with performance (gaining and/or maintaining an erection or orgasming) at times, but my wife is very understanding about that. I would admonish you that you should have your wife's permission for engaging in this type of herbal hormone treatment. It would be unfair to her to deprive her of your sexual performance unless it is mutually agreeable.
A quick lesson on hormones is in order here. Both men and women have both testosterone (the primary male hormone) and estrogen (the primary female hormone). Men have more testosterone, however, due to the testicles and women have more estrogen due to the ovaries. But the key is that both sexes produce the natural hormones for both men and women.
One of the effects that I did not anticipate of the Provara was the feminizing effects. Although not noticeable for a few months, my breasts started to enlarge and I started to gain a little weight in my hips. Provara works by reducing the testosterone levels in the body, thereby allowing the body's estrogen level to increase in proportion to the testosterone. The reduction of the levels of testosterone is the reason for a reduced libido in men. Although the level of estrogen in my body did not increase, the proportion of estrogen increased, generating the feminizing effects.
I have always enjoyed crossdressing and transgender fantasies, so this result became a new erotic thrill. I started doing more research on the Internet and adding various herbal combinations to my daily pill regimen. As I did, the feminizing effects started to become more noticeable. My breasts now fill a B-cup bra if I choose the right one. My hips are more rounded so panties fit me better than they used to. I am now able to dress more femininely and could pass.
Here are some of the drugs and herbal combinations that I have taken and my personal observations of their results.
Effexor, $65 per 60 75mg tablets. 2 per day (for 150mg/day). By prescription only. Not required for feminization but I used it to control my temper and relieve the effects of depression.
Cycrin, generic brand of Provara. $16 per 60 10mg tablets. Dosage 2 per day (for 20mg/day). By prescription only. This has been the most important drug in my regimen. By reducing my testosterone level, it allowed the estrogen in my body to begin its work.
For a while, I added Rejuvex, an herbal menopausal supplement for women. It contains:
Thiamin HCL (Vitamin B1), 2 mg; Riboflavin (Vitamin B2), 2 mg;
Niacin (Vitamin B3), 10 mg; Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine HCL), 10 mg;
Pantothenic Acid, 10 mg; Magnesium (as Oxide), 500 mg; Selenium,
25 mcg; Manganese, 2 mg
Additional Ingredients: Dong Quai root, 200 mg
Raw glandular powders from bovine sources: Mammary, 25 mg; Ovary,
19 mg; Uterus, 10 mg; Adrenal, 10 mg; Pituitary, 5 mg
Also: Boron, 3 mg
plus binders, disintegrants, and lubricants.
The reason I chose this one was because of the raw glandular powders which seemed to be a missing compound for me.
I liked the idea of the glandular powders so I tried Feminol,
a product by the Phoenix Project ($16 per 60
capsules). 
They have two
excellent products, Evanesce and Feminol.
Evanesce's primary purpose is to reduce the testosterone level,
but I was already doing that with the Provara, so I used just the
Feminol which provided glandular concentrates and increase
estrogen levels.
The recommended dosage is 2 capsules per day, so the resulting daily dosage was:
The black cohosh contains natural estrogen.
At the recommended dosage of two per day during meals, the daily intake was:
For more information on Super Blue-Green Algae and its source, read the free book Your Body Can Heal Itself, available on-line from Thunder Mountain Press. Using Super Blue-Green Algae will produce positive effects in your general health.
My daily regimen of feminization pills now includes:
20 mg Provara to reduce the testosterone level.
1 ProEstron Phyto 8-1-1 Complex for the phytoestrogen which
increases the estrogen level.
Nugest Wild Yam Extract for the natural estrogen and
progesterone.
1 Rejuvex for general female nutrition
2 Feminol for the glandulars and dong quai
2 Raw glandular powder capsules
3 Super Blue-Green Algae
Results:
The results have been gradual but noticeable. You should remember that it takes an adolescent female 2-5 years to develop full breasts and full hips, and accelerated results within a few months are generally not possible with men. This is particularly true because the male body must continually fight the levels of testosterone that is being produced. This is why it is so important to reduce the testosterone levels or any type of hormonal therapy (conventional or herbal) will not work.
I have not had any ill side effects, although I have gained about 10 pounds since I started on Provara. I try to be very aware of any changes in my body and read everything I can on the drugs and herbs that I use. For me, even my reduced libido is not an unpleasant side effect. In fact, I have to say that it has improved my marriage.
My personal sex life has stabilized. I am still capable of erections and orgasms, although not as frequently or as spontaneously as in my younger days. I am satisfied with less sex from my spouse and so is she. My moods are more stable and my temper is under control, so we get along much better.
My breasts and hips have enlarged somewhat, most noticeably my breasts which are much more sensitive. My wife has noticed my enlarged breasts but I have convinced her that has more to do with my middle-aged body going through changes and my increased body weight. I am more self-conscious about going without a shirt now, but they are not abnormally large for a male. I haven't decided how big I will let them grow and when I will stop with this herbal hormonal replacement therapy. For now, I am pleased with the results and look forward to more changes. I will keep you updated on the results as they develop.
Herbal TS
March 6, 1997
Copyright 1997
Thank you also for reminding people in our community that the
changes will come gradually! I would like to offer one bit of
additional information. Evanesce, while it stresses testosterone
suppression, is also full of a wonderful synergistic blend of
phytoestrogenic herbs! Many people have had significant breast
development on just Evanesce alone! I think your web site is a
very good composite of information form many sources -- you have
done a GREAT job of putting this all together!
D.
What an incredible site on herbal hormones. Most excellent...
Sounds to me like you've settled into the perfect cutomized blend
for your chemistry and lifestyle. I like the way you stress
supervision uder the care of a trained medical professional. I
believe truly also that therapy, counseling and personal genetic
tailoring to all drugs be foremost in the role of transformation.
I wish at this time I could afford it all!
hugz, J.T.
You say that the hormones can be natural, but the Provara drug
is needed to reduce the male hormones...is there something out
there that is natural that can do this?
[Editor: Sorry, nothing that I know of. Does anyone out there
in Cyberspace know of something?]
I went to your page and thought it was very interesting. I
have thought about going on hormones, but do not want to use
anything dangerous and do not want to go to a doctor for any
treatment at this time. Is there a way to get Provara without a
prescription? Or is there a doctor who can get me a prescription?
How do you get yours?
pamala
[Editor: I wish to stress the importance of having a physician
involved in the supervision of your transition. All medications
should be taken under a doctor's supervision and
self-administration of drugs like Provara can be dangerous.]
I "personally" think most herbal hormones are a
waste of consumer finances. Your page proved interesting and
educating. I still wouldn't take herbal hormones, however I will
definitely add your link to my website. You did a good job, it
was detailed enough to provide people solid information.
G.I.
I stopped by your site last night and gave it a read. Mmmmm,
information I haven't run across yet. I guess a hell of a lot
safer than my brief trial with hormones ( oops, I guess I
should've had a prescription for those)
J.
I have used Evening Primrose Oil and Black Cohosh. The effects
are stunning to say the very least. A breast growth of one cup
size in 2.5 months. I started EPO on the New Year and BC last
month. Even with "real" hormones they say projected
breast growth starts around 6-7 months, so I thought that I can
go well past the swimsuit season before I need to do any real
changes, but no. I am already conspicuous when walking on T-shirt
(for my overall body size they are still small, though). I come
from a big-breasted family and the growth pattern has been steep.
Also my body generally is very responsive to all medication. So
the doctor, biologist whoever in your guest book said it has no
effect speaks baloney.
S.
[Editor: I have no personal experience with evening primrose
oil but the black cohosh is one of the ingredients recommended in
some of the literature on the Internet. There is an interesting
link called Does
evening primrose oil have any benefit for hormonal imbalance?
It deals specifically with evening primrose oil for women, but is
good info.]
Thanks for the information about HRT. I have just learned that
progesterone creams are not effective if under 200mg per oz.
Labeling on packages doesn't provide the level of concentration
of yams, soybeans etc. Your article seems very insightful. I am
using Black Cohosh, Donq Quai, Chaste Berry and have tried
Evanesce.
Sherrie
You must be kidding. Herbal hormones? I admit that there is
enough on soy products etc. to assist the GENETIC FEMALE in
delaying osteoporosis provided that she eats enough of it. There
is no way that herbal hormones, breast development creams and
such will assist the male to transition towards a female state.
Evidence must be slim or quackery at most.
Not only do you have to provide estrogens in sufficient quantity
to reduce testosterone, as well as taking blockers such as
spironolactone, but need enough estrogen above this to feminize
the body. In other words, attain TWICE THE NORMAL FEMALE LEVEL.
I'm sorry, but having gone through it there is no way I could
endorse this "idiocy". You would need to consume a dump
truck full EVERY DAY to get any effects whatsoever.
If you do happen to have any genuine evidence to the contrary I
would be delighted to see it. By the way, I am a Medical
Microbiologist, Biochemist, Hematologist by training.
V.L., FIMLS. FRMS. ART. LI Biol. MSc
I've only had time to take a quick look at your site but did
read your reasons for starting to use "herbal"
hormones. Before I would add a link to your site I would want to
know why you think the use of herbal hormones should be
encouraged. Most people who use them are doing so to avoid seeing
a doctor/therapist. It is method of avoiding the hard realities
of what transitioning means. They do so as an alternate of second
choice to prescribed hormones.
I strongly feel that hormones should be used in conjunction with
a doctor and a therapist. If you need to transition is so strong
that you are willing to take hormones, then it is imperative to
seek professional help. I am not against using hormones and may
eventually start taking them myself. But if you can't face a
doctor or therapist to get hormones, your not ready to face the
world partly transitioned.
I am not speaking about you obviously. You started your journey
with the advise/assistance of a doctor. I am talking about the
many other T* who are hiding from the world, taking herbal
hormones because they can't face telling their wife or face a
therapist. I have a couple (2) of friends in this exact state. It
doesn't stop me from loving them, but they all know I do not
approve. Fortunately one is now seeing therapist and should be on
prescribed hormones soon. I confess I told her how to blackmail
her therapist into the latter. (Throw your bootleg hormones on
his desk and say, "Now are you going to help me or do I do
it on my own.") I wish you luck on your journey. We each
have to follow our own path good luck on yours.
D.
I have had a close look at your pages - but have decided
against putting a link to them on mine. Perhaps I should explain
why.
...I could also add that, notwithstanding your warnings about
seeking medical advice before starting on a similar course to
yours, other tg's will disregard that advice and obtain the
treatments you list without seeking medical advice. I don't know
what risks, if any, that would involve. I would not feel
comfortable if I thought that someone accessing your site via
mine then took the treatments and became ill as a consequence.
H.
So tell me something...how much money do you make promoting
this herbal stuff to unsuspecting people?
[Editor: I have no financial or distributor connection to any
of these hormonal products. I am, however, a distributor for
Super Blue-Green Algae, but that is not a requirement for the
feminization.
Although not
required for feminization, Super Blue-Green Algae
by Cell-Tech has become an integral part of my transformation. A
human body requires a multitude of trace elements, proteins and
enzymes and, if any of them are missing, it results in
less-than-efficient bodily functions. Super Blue-Green Algae
provides these trace elements in a natural form that is easy for
the body to assimilate. It makes up for anything that I lack in
my normal diet.