23-10-2020, 08:29 PM
Been a long time since I’ve posted anything.
School and other things has been making life difficult.
Anyway, I’ve also been learning a lot with hormones and breast growth. With cooperation from my doc I’ve been noticing what happens with my body by monitoring my hormones. I’m probably gonna come off as a dumbed down Lotus, but simple language is best I guess. Also I have a lot of first hand experience.
So as we all know estrogen, estradiol in particular, is the main hormone responsible for development of female characteristics. Progesterone functions as a regulator of estrogen and keeps the levels down. It also inhibits the growth of tissue that affected by estrogen (breast, hips, thighs, etc). This is how people AFAB with functional ovaries go through their cycles. Normal estradiol range for premenopausal ppl is 50-400 pg/ml. These ranges change for pregnancy, peri-,menopause, and post-menopause phase. For ppl AMAB (just about everyone here) this does happen to a degree as those bodies make E at a low level for sperm production and progesterone keeps it from going too high. So now that we know that progesterone inhibits E from getting too high, we shouldn’t be taking it in our beginning phases of breast development so that we can match ppl AFAB normal hormone levels.
Taking progesterone too early can risk having tubular breast and not growing fully round looking breast because you are stunting your breast growth. Of course this can happen to AFAB ppl and issues like POCS is one reason this can happen. Constricted chest muscles is another. Once our breast reach a certain stage of growth or a few years pass (AFAB start their period 4-5 years after entering puberty), then you can discuss progesterone for further maturity. This can induce lactation if taken with meds or herbs that can induce lactation like fenugreek or you can take the strong medication that can induce this. Forgot the name sorry (ask your doctor). This is how transwomen are able to breastfeed their babies. But normally, women’s estrogen, prolactin, and progesterone levels aren’t this high so we shouldn’t strive for this either. Balance is key for optimal breast growth.
Story time!
When I started HRT, I was on progesterone from jump. My hormones were always at the lower end of the range. I was never higher than 60 pg/ml and as low as 13! while my trans girlfriends who weren’t on progesterone had higher estrogen levels, near or above 200 pg/ml, but my breast were bigger. My cis girlfriends who had high estrogen had large breast. Crazy right? Well most of my trans friends weren’t getting injections. Also I had a head start over them because I was a C-cup from herbs before starting HRT. But also, I’m a very healthy eater and physically active with yoga and light muscle training. Also, mentally focusing on my breast often. I also have tanner stage 4 breast that were capable lactating to a degree while massaging. After I got my SRS,I was still on progesterone and estrogen for a year until today. So that’s 3 years of being on progesterone.
Recently I’ve been doing more serious research on progesterone and how come I’m a G cup but they’re not full. This is how I found out that progesterone inhibits growth of breast tissue and keeping my hormone levels lower than the standard female range. I went to my doctor two weeks ago and we conversed about my low hormones and my physical concerns. He agreed with me when I backed up my claims with evidence as well as how it’s been affecting my mood. I was either angry or depressed and I didn’t notice until my friends called me out on it. So I got a blood test and he stopped the progesterone. So fast forward to today and my test results show 151 pg/ml for E2 but I have an iron deficiency because I hardly if ever eat red meat. My first time in 3 yrs having triple digits so I’m happy about that. Hopefully, my body will start filling out more and I won’t be so skinny. Of course I’m increasing my protein and iron intake so that’ll help. But now that my estrogen is approaching the median range, I’m looking forward to breast with some volume finally.
School and other things has been making life difficult.
Anyway, I’ve also been learning a lot with hormones and breast growth. With cooperation from my doc I’ve been noticing what happens with my body by monitoring my hormones. I’m probably gonna come off as a dumbed down Lotus, but simple language is best I guess. Also I have a lot of first hand experience.
So as we all know estrogen, estradiol in particular, is the main hormone responsible for development of female characteristics. Progesterone functions as a regulator of estrogen and keeps the levels down. It also inhibits the growth of tissue that affected by estrogen (breast, hips, thighs, etc). This is how people AFAB with functional ovaries go through their cycles. Normal estradiol range for premenopausal ppl is 50-400 pg/ml. These ranges change for pregnancy, peri-,menopause, and post-menopause phase. For ppl AMAB (just about everyone here) this does happen to a degree as those bodies make E at a low level for sperm production and progesterone keeps it from going too high. So now that we know that progesterone inhibits E from getting too high, we shouldn’t be taking it in our beginning phases of breast development so that we can match ppl AFAB normal hormone levels.
Taking progesterone too early can risk having tubular breast and not growing fully round looking breast because you are stunting your breast growth. Of course this can happen to AFAB ppl and issues like POCS is one reason this can happen. Constricted chest muscles is another. Once our breast reach a certain stage of growth or a few years pass (AFAB start their period 4-5 years after entering puberty), then you can discuss progesterone for further maturity. This can induce lactation if taken with meds or herbs that can induce lactation like fenugreek or you can take the strong medication that can induce this. Forgot the name sorry (ask your doctor). This is how transwomen are able to breastfeed their babies. But normally, women’s estrogen, prolactin, and progesterone levels aren’t this high so we shouldn’t strive for this either. Balance is key for optimal breast growth.
Story time!
When I started HRT, I was on progesterone from jump. My hormones were always at the lower end of the range. I was never higher than 60 pg/ml and as low as 13! while my trans girlfriends who weren’t on progesterone had higher estrogen levels, near or above 200 pg/ml, but my breast were bigger. My cis girlfriends who had high estrogen had large breast. Crazy right? Well most of my trans friends weren’t getting injections. Also I had a head start over them because I was a C-cup from herbs before starting HRT. But also, I’m a very healthy eater and physically active with yoga and light muscle training. Also, mentally focusing on my breast often. I also have tanner stage 4 breast that were capable lactating to a degree while massaging. After I got my SRS,I was still on progesterone and estrogen for a year until today. So that’s 3 years of being on progesterone.
Recently I’ve been doing more serious research on progesterone and how come I’m a G cup but they’re not full. This is how I found out that progesterone inhibits growth of breast tissue and keeping my hormone levels lower than the standard female range. I went to my doctor two weeks ago and we conversed about my low hormones and my physical concerns. He agreed with me when I backed up my claims with evidence as well as how it’s been affecting my mood. I was either angry or depressed and I didn’t notice until my friends called me out on it. So I got a blood test and he stopped the progesterone. So fast forward to today and my test results show 151 pg/ml for E2 but I have an iron deficiency because I hardly if ever eat red meat. My first time in 3 yrs having triple digits so I’m happy about that. Hopefully, my body will start filling out more and I won’t be so skinny. Of course I’m increasing my protein and iron intake so that’ll help. But now that my estrogen is approaching the median range, I’m looking forward to breast with some volume finally.