[GoneGirl]

Okay, I think I understand a little more about how these sex hormones work. Let me summarize. (My original questions in italics)

Aromatase is an enzyme that is needed to convert testosterone to estrogen in males. Which T is converted to which E? Is it free T that is converted to estradiol, or DHT?

Short answer:
Free testosterone is converted to estradiol by aromatase. DHT cannot be converted to estrogen.

Long answer:
Androstenedione is a hormone produced in the adrenal glands and the gonads (testes and ovaries) as an intermediate step in the production of testosterone and the estrogens estrone and estradiol. Aromatase is an enzyme that is needed to synthesize androgens into estrogens. Specifically, aromatase transforms testosterone to estradiol. It also converts androstenedione to estrone which can, in turn, be converted to estradiol.

To what extend are either Spearmint (which is anti-free T) or Pygeum (which is anti-DHT) going to complete with WP (a pro-aromatase herb whose purpose is to convert T to E)?

Short answer:
They do not compete. Each contributes to increasing one's estrogen and decreasing one's androgen levels.

Long answer:
Spearmint helps to lower testosterone by binding it to proteins SHBG and albumin. White Peony helps to raise estradiol by increasing the enzyme aromatase which converts testosterone to estradiol. Pygeum helps to lower DHT by inhibiting the production of 5 alpha reductase which is needed to convert testosterone to DHT.

Also, to what extend is an aromatase promoting herb like White Peony interfering with PM? The theory is that estradiol and miroestrol compete for the same estrogen receptors in breast tissue. The more powerful estradiol, increases the risk of developing a malignant tumor in the breast. Miroestrol (the estrogen mimic in PM) is weaker, and by displacing estradiol, lowers the risk of cancer of the breast. Doesn't that mean that we should be favoring PM for NBE over pro-aromatase herbs like WP?

Short Answer:
Yes, PM will have less effect as estradiol levels rise, but PM's will still provide benefits.

Long Answer:
Miroestrol's effect is limited primarily to estrogen receptors in breast tissue. Miroestrol will socket with E-receptors in the breasts to enable tissue growth. It's effects are largely unaffected by the presence of DHT which blocks the effects of estradiol. Even when estradiol levels are high, and DHT levels are low, miroestrol is valuable because it will lock up estrogen receptors in breast tissue, displacing estradiol, and reduce the risk of breast cancer.

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What I take away from all this is that for a male just starting out with NBE, taking a daily dose of PM alone with stimulate breast tissue growth when miroestrol locks on to estrogen receptors in the breasts. Testosterone and DHT levels will typical be reduced as the body's feedback mechanisms try to maintain sex hormone balance. The effect is weak, though. One should not experience the kind of powerful effects from synthetic HRT, so breast growth will be relatively slow.

As the breasts develop, the effectiveness of PM alone is reduced. Breast growth will slow or stall. The addition of anti-androgen supplements can accelerate or restart growth. The choice of an anti-androgen will depend on the effects you want to achieve/avoid as follows:

Testosterone levels determine a man's sex drive, physical features (e.g., muscle mass), and his mood/energy level. Spearmint will lock up testosterone in SHBG or albumin making it unavailable. As a consequence, one's DHT level is also lowered, as there is less testosterone to convert to DHT. Be warned that abnormally low testosterone levels can cause health problems like poor bone density and increased risk of cardiac arrest.

DHT levels determine a man's secondary sex characteristics such as body hair, and protects the body from the feminizing effects of estradiol. Therefore, reducing DHT levels is helpful in breast growth, reducing body hair, and halting, even reversing, male pattern baldness. Pygeum basically inhibits the action of 5-alpha reductase to produce DHT from testosterone. It also reduces the number of sites where the DHT can attach (e.g., hair follicles). Unlike Saw Palmetto, Pygeum does not cause a reduction in prostate size.

White Peony Root will increase the conversion of testosterone to estradiol by increasing the amount (or effectiveness?) of the aromatase enzyme. Estadiol is a strong hormone which in larger amounts should cause additional breast growth and other femininizing effects. If Spearmint has already lowered testosterone, the effectiveness of WPR may be diminished.

Please correct me if I have stated anything which is blatantly false

Follow up question

If the effect of using these anti-antrogens is to lower my testosterone level significantly, will the corresponding increase in estradiol cancel out known health risks, like loss of bone density and increased risk of cardiac arrest?

I appreciate any comments, additions or corrections to this summary.

Clara Kay