[bryony]

After re-reading the previous posts and trying to absorb it all, I can’t help wondering if there may be other benefits associated with PM that haven’t been discussed much. For example, AP mentioned medical advice that questioned whether Proscar (finasteride) is any better than SP for BPH. I have had two urologists and one internal medicine physician tell me that herbs and supplements don’t help for BPH. However, I always get the feeling that the medical community as a whole doesn’t really educate themselves regarding the uses of herbal remedies. As you know, in some males, Proscar has the side effects of breast development, softer skin and less body hair. I am one of those males who has benefitted from these side effects. That brings me to the question of the other potential added benefits of PM. If I don’t have serious side effect such as headaches, anxiety etc. etc. then I wonder if I could increase the PM dosage and get rid of the finasteride & tamulosin. If that were to be the case, then I might be able to attain additional breast enlargement and get rid of some unnecessary prescription pharmaceuticals at the same time. I’m bracing myself for the answer

There shouldn't be a problem with taking as much PM in a day as you can afford. There is no known lethal dose in animal models. I would avoid taking any after 8pm, because it affects some people - me at least - if it concentrates overnight, in the form of lower back (kidney?) pain. I've found by trial and error that the mental benefits of 1g lasts me about 3 hours, so I assume all other effects last that long. Given that, the most that I have taken in a day without any ill effects have been about 7g (once) 6g (occasionally) 5g(often).

Regarding anxiety, there is a theory that fits my experience, that for many, gender dysphoria occurs due to an insufficent foetal exposure to androgen. In such individuals, estrogen and its mimics reduces anxiety and that is my main purpose for taking it. The same theory indicates that an increase in anxiety is due to a normally masculinised brain, and any desire to become/look like a female is due to other reasons. For such people hormone therapy would be a bad thing. You can find out more by googling Dr Ann Vitale and reading her essays on the topic.

Good luck,

Bryony