#hormone replacement therapy risks

[nourishnest]

A Ray of Hope for Dementia Sufferers: How Hormone Replacement Therapy Helps

Alzheimer’s disease and dementia are among the greatest diseases that affect a huge population in the world. These conditions not only result in the cases of amnesia and mental degradation; however, they largely influence person’s life quality. These diseases have bothered researchers for many years as researchers have searched for ways either preventing or resisting them. HRT as a ray of hope recently. This is a commonly prescribed drug that helps with the symptoms of menopause. Studies suggest it could reduce dementia incidence in postmenopausal women. This blog post aims to discuss the recent studies concerning HRT as a solution for people with Alzheimer’s illness and dementia.

Understanding Dementia

Dementia is a distressing disorder that afflicts a large number of individuals across the globe, leading to forgetfulness and mental impairment. Although it is normally linked with aging, it may be found in young people as well. Dementia is not an illness but the generic name for various forms of senile deterioration of mental functions. although there might be some disagreements concerning what really causes dementia, a number of risk factors such as aging, genetic disposition, and some other specific diseases have been identified. Briefly, we will explain what dementia is all about, its symptoms, as well as how it relates to people with menopausal symptoms.

The Connection Between Hormones and Brain Health

These hormones are vital to brain function and maintenance. Some hormonal changes, especially at the time of menopause, may affect brain function and cognitive skills. When women go for their last period during menopause, the production of estrogens is reduced thus causing hot flashes, irritability and insomnia. However, people rarely associate such changes in hormone levels with poor memory or difficulty paying attention. The evidence also suggests that hormones might protect the mental function as the hormone levels decrease during postmenopause when such symptoms develop. It is extremely important in considering possible advantages of hormone therapy for demented patients.

Unveiling the Power of Hormone Replacement Therapy

As we delve deeper into the potential benefits of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for dementia sufferers, we begin to unveil the power of this treatment. HRT, typically used to alleviate menopausal symptoms, has shown promising results in reducing the risk of developing dementia in postmenopausal women. By replenishing hormone levels that decline during menopause, HRT may help combat the cognitive decline associated with dementia. The connection between hormonal fluctuations and cognitive abilities is a fascinating area of research, and the potential of HRT to improve the lives of those experiencing menopausal symptoms is truly remarkable.

Evidence-based Findings on Hormone Replacement Therapy Reducing Dementia Risk

Research has shown compelling evidence for the potential of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in reducing the risk of developing dementia. Numerous studies have demonstrated that postmenopausal women who undergo HRT have a lower incidence of dementia compared to those who do not receive hormone therapy. These findings provide hope for dementia sufferers, as HRT may not only alleviate menopausal symptoms but also protect against cognitive decline. While further research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms behind this correlation, the evidence suggests that HRT could be a valuable tool in the fight against dementia.

Pros and Cons of Hormone Replacement Therapy

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) has shown promising results in reducing the risk of developing dementia. However, it is important to weigh the pros and cons before considering this treatment option. On one hand, HRT can alleviate menopausal symptoms and potentially protect against cognitive decline. On the other hand, there are risks associated with HRT, such as an increased risk of certain types of cancer. It is essential to consult with a healthcare professional to determine if the benefits outweigh the risks for each individual. It is important to consider all aspects before making a decision about HRT as a treatment for dementia.

Future Implications: A World Free of Dementia

As we continue to uncover the potential benefits of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in reducing the risk of dementia, we can't help but envision a world free of this debilitating condition. Imagine a future where individuals no longer have to suffer from the devastating effects of Alzheimer's disease and dementia. HRT could potentially play a crucial role in making this dream a reality. While there is still much research to be done, the hope and optimism surrounding HRT are undeniable. With continued advancements and a deeper understanding of the connection between hormones and brain health, we may be one step closer to a world without dementia.

[mystacoceti]

I knew there wasn't a whole lot of research into transgender healthcare but like. there is really not a lot of research.

[blueoaknx]

The Role of Mitochondria in Menopause

Introduction

Menopause signifies a pivotal transition in a woman's life, characterized by the cessation of ovarian function and a marked decline in estrogen levels. This phase is associated with various physiological changes and an increased risk of several health conditions, including metabolic syndrome, osteoporosis, and cardiovascular diseases. Recent studies have illuminated the significant role of mitochondria—the organelles often referred to as the "powerhouses of the cell"—in the physiological processes that accompany menopause. This article seeks to elucidate the multifaceted roles of mitochondria in menopause, highlighting their involvement in energy metabolism, hormonal regulation, oxidative stress management, and overall cellular health.

Mitochondrial Structure and Function

Mitochondria are double-membraned organelles that possess their own circular DNA (mtDNA), a remnant of their evolutionary origin from ancestral prokaryotic cells. These organelles are essential for several critical functions, including:

Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) Production: Mitochondria generate ATP via oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS), facilitated by the electron transport chain (ETC) embedded in the inner mitochondrial membrane.

Metabolic Pathways: Mitochondria are central to various metabolic pathways, including the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, fatty acid oxidation, and the urea cycle, integrating cellular energy production and metabolism.

Regulation of Apoptosis: Mitochondria play a crucial role in apoptosis by releasing pro-apoptotic factors such as cytochrome c, thereby initiating programmed cell death essential for cellular homeostasis.

Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Menopause

The decline in estrogen during menopause is closely linked to changes in mitochondrial function:

Mitochondrial Biogenesis: Estrogen is known to stimulate mitochondrial biogenesis through the activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha (PGC-1α). The reduction in estrogen levels during menopause leads to diminished PGC-1α activity, resulting in decreased mitochondrial density and compromised function.

Oxidative Stress: Mitochondrial respiration generates reactive oxygen species (ROS) as byproducts. In the context of menopause, reduced estrogen levels can impair the body's antioxidant defenses, leading to an increase in oxidative stress. Elevated ROS can cause damage to mitochondrial DNA, proteins, and lipids, resulting in further mitochondrial dysfunction.

Altered Energy Metabolism: The menopausal transition is frequently associated with metabolic syndrome, characterized by increased fat accumulation and insulin resistance. Mitochondrial dysfunction is a contributing factor to impaired fatty acid oxidation and energy dysregulation, resulting in increased visceral fat deposition.

Hormonal Regulation and Mitochondrial Function

Mitochondria are integral to the synthesis of steroid hormones, including estrogen. While the ovaries serve as the primary site for estrogen production, peripheral tissues, such as adipose tissue, can synthesize estrogen from androgens via the aromatization process. Adequate mitochondrial function is crucial for this synthesis. Consequently, mitochondrial dysfunction may exacerbate symptoms associated with estrogen deficiency.

Moreover, mitochondrial involvement in cortisol metabolism may also be significant. Cortisol, produced by the adrenal glands, influences energy metabolism and stress response. Dysregulation in cortisol metabolism due to mitochondrial dysfunction can lead to increased fatigue and mood disturbances commonly observed during menopause.

Inflammation and Mitochondrial Dysfunction

Mitochondrial dysfunction is closely linked to chronic inflammation, frequently observed in menopausal women. As mitochondrial function declines, the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines increases, contributing to systemic inflammation. This chronic inflammatory state may exacerbate various menopausal symptoms, including joint pain, mood disorders, and cardiovascular risks.

Mitochondria also play a role in inflammasome activation, a multi-protein complex critical to the immune response. Dysregulation of this pathway in the context of mitochondrial dysfunction can lead to excessive inflammation, further complicating health during menopause.

Interventions to Support Mitochondrial Health

Given the integral role of mitochondria in menopause, various interventions may be employed to support mitochondrial function:

Physical Activity: Regular exercise has been shown to enhance mitochondrial biogenesis and improve oxidative phosphorylation. Exercise stimulates the expression of PGC-1α, promoting mitochondrial health and improving metabolic outcomes.

Nutritional Interventions: Diets rich in antioxidants (e.g., vitamins C and E, polyphenols) can help mitigate oxidative stress. Omega-3 fatty acids, found in fish oil, support mitochondrial function by reducing inflammation.

Caloric Restriction and Intermittent Fasting: These practices enhance mitochondrial efficiency and promote autophagy, a process that eliminates damaged mitochondria and supports cellular health.

Supplementation: Certain supplements, such as Coenzyme Q10, alpha-lipoic acid, and L-carnitine, may directly support mitochondrial function and reduce oxidative stress.

Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): For some women, HRT may alleviate menopausal symptoms and support mitochondrial function by restoring estrogen levels; however, this approach requires careful consideration of individual risks and benefits.

Conclusion

Mitochondria are critical contributors to the physiological changes associated with menopause, influencing energy metabolism, hormonal balance, oxidative stress, and inflammation. A comprehensive understanding of the intricate relationship between mitochondrial function and menopausal symptoms can inform targeted interventions to support women's health during this transition. By prioritizing mitochondrial health through lifestyle modifications and potential therapeutic strategies, women may enhance their quality of life and mitigate health risks associated with menopause. Continued research is essential to explore the complex interplay between mitochondrial dynamics and menopausal physiology, paving the way for novel therapeutic approaches and interventions.

[effemimaniac]

there are reputable dealers of actual ready-to-use feminizing HRT that have been collectively verified to be genuine and safe. the risks in most places, legally and medically, of buying from them are very low. supplements are no replacement for actual hormone replacement therapy and anything claiming to be is snake oil. buying the raw active ingredients to combine at home is taking an unnecessary risk with your health if you lack the appropriate skills and make a mistake. don't waste your money and don't risk your health when there exists a safe option that actually works.

[climbingupbestican]

I am a adult who takes progesterone and because of all the trans healthcare restrictions in Florida I’m having to get prior approvals for it. They basically are forcing me to confirm that fact that I was born female & have a need (unnaturally low progesterone levels). I can confirm both of those things so I should be approved. It is just time intensive and annoying for a medicine I’ve taken for years. I really think this stuff should be left up to the doctors discretion when working with their patients & not enforced in our insurance / government. I’m all for analysis on the shortcomings of big Pharma and the medical industry and pros & cons to everything, especially from a feminist point of view, but rarely do I support taking away the option for people to choose.

[batmanisagatewaydrug]

idk if this is a sex ed question, or if you're the right person to ask, sorry, but do you have any reputable sources about what testosterone *actually* does?

i see people saying it limits your emotions, that it gives you breast cancer, that it makes you malnourished, its a second more dangerous puberty, etc, and I'd like to think im good at picking out lies, but there's a lot of stuff that sounds like bullshit coming from blogs i thought were trustworthy.

if not, all good, thank you in advance!

hi anon,

I'm really glad you sent this ask, because this kind of scaremongering misinformation is deeply upsetting and I'm so happy to provide a better information.

there are tons of reputable sources as to what testosterone does; some that I'll be pulling from in this answer include Cleveland Clinic, Harvard Medical School, University of California San Francisco, Mayo Clinic, the Society for Endocrinology, and Planned Parenthood.

so, what's up testosterone?

testosterone is a hormone produced in everyone's bodies, either in the testes or the ovaries depending on which set of equipment you're working with. all bodies produce both estrogen and testosterone, usually in different levels. regardless of the genitalia you were born with, how you understand your gender, or what levels of testosterone you have in your body, testosterone affects things like your sex drive, your hair growth, muscle and bone density, and the production of red blood cells.

in people born with testes, puberty usually comes with an increase in testosterone that kicks off changes such as growth of the penis and testicles, the production of sperm, an increase in hair growth all over the body, deepening of the voice, greater production of oil on the skin, and an increase in height, weight, and muscle mass.

either an overabundance or a deficit of testosterone can have health complications, just as having more or less of any hormone that a body needs can cause complications.

people who choose to transition by taking testosterone will experience many similar effects as cisgender men going through puberty, including the increase in body hair, skin oils, and muscle mass, as well as a deepening voice. while people on testosterone are unlikely to experience significant growth in terms of height unless they start hormone replacement therapy (HRT) at a fairly young age, testosterone does frequently cause a redistribution of fat on their bodies to be more similar to that of cisgender men. bottom growth, the increased size and sensitivity of the clitoris to more closely resemble a penis, is also common; the clitoris and the penis are homologous structures (they're made out of the same goo when embryos start developing genitalia), hence why they react similarly to testosterone.

to address your specific concerns:

testosterone does not limit the range of a person's emotions. while it may impact a person's mood and the severity of their feelings, the same is true of any hormone - for instance, people also report mood changes when they take antidepressants or birth control. the sometimes drastic mood fluctuations experienced during puberty are not tied to a specific hormone; this is a turbulent time regardless of what hormones your body is producing the most. testosterone is stereotyped as making people angry and violent, but all people are people regardless of their biology and are shaped by much more than the hormones in their body.

while cisgender men and trans people on testosterone can both get breast cancer, testosterone does not pose any particular risk. several of the sources linked about don't find any significant link between taking testosterone HRT and an increased risk of breast cancer, reporting that transgender individuals who take testosterone are not at any particularly higher risk of developing breast cancer than cisgender women. for more detailed information about potential health problems affiliated with taking testosterone, I recommend the "Risks" section of the linked UCSF document. yes, there are health risks affiliated with taking testosterone; this is true of literally any medication and, more importantly, is also true of just being a person with any kind of hormones in your body. cis men and women also have health conditions affiliated with being cis men and cis women, this is the price of admission for having a human body. nobody gets out unscathed.

there is no evidence that testosterone causes someone to become malnourished. people undergoing a testosterone-based puberty, whether they're cis or trans, are likely to experience a great deal of growth and bodily changes that will use a great deal of calories, which means they may be hungry and need more food than they did previously. this is a normal effect of puberty on a body, and is only a risk for malnourishment if a person isn't able to eat in sufficient amounts to keep their body properly nourished.

there is nothing about a testosterone-based puberty that is "more dangerous" than an estrogen-based puberty, which is what I assume is the point of comparison. puberty is a completely natural process that does not pose any significant dangers unless you want to be a real dipshit about it and pull some shit like "puberty is dangerous because you grow breast tissue and then you're at risk for breast cancer," in which case sure, great job, Sherlock. you solved it, puberty is cancelled forever. I cannot emphasize enough how stupid this is, conceptually; roughly half the human population goes through this kind of puberty every day and they're fucking fine. puberty by itself is not a risk factor of anything.

I don't know what particular interest the blogs you've been following have in making testosterone-based puberty sound like it's going to turn you into an emotionally stunted skeleton with breast cancer, although I fear it's transphobia hidden unsubtly behind concern trolling and disdain for cisgender men.

if you're interested in taking testosterone and are concerned about the changes you might see in your body please, for the love of god, consult with reputable health resources and a doctor rather than whatever nematode is posting about testosterone ruining your life.

[pillarsalt]

hi! i was wondering your opinions on how hrt affects the body? i hold a lot of radfem beliefs but i am trans (taking testosterone). would being a woman to you have to be completely about chromosomes? for example, trans men years on T do not have the same genetic makeup as cis women. same with trans women on E, their genetic makeup would be very different to cis men, and would more correlate to cis women. does this factor in who you consider female/male or having experience as women?

Hi there, thanks for reaching out.

Firstly, I think you may be a bit confused. Taking exogenous hormones does not affect your genetic makeup. Your dna will stay the same unless you're exposed to something extreme like radiation - this is a good thing because dna mutation is bad for you and causes cancer! Your genetic sex is immutable, a person with XY chromosomes cannot have their dna altered to have XX chromosomes instead.

Hormones will affect the expression of your genes, for example turning on facial hair production in women who are taking testosterone. This is why those patterns of facial hair, even in women, differ from person to person. The genes for it were already there, but hormone replacement therapy uses the endocrine system to change what signals get sent to your genes to tell them what features to express.

Beyond chemically induced genetic expression, there are particular physical features in males that do not occur in males, and vice versa. This is a feature of the /ancient/ evolution of sexual reproduction. Despite the variety of metaphysical beliefs about identity and personhood, the truth is that humans evolved to reproduce between two sexes, and human beings cannot change sex. Every cell of your body has your sex encoded within it. This affects us physically in many ways. I and most feminists believe that this fact should be irrelevant to any person's ability to pursue their passion, be themselves, and love who they love. Even so, recognition of biological sex is something important. This is really critical in a medical context. For example: men who receive a blood transfusion from a pregnant or recently pregnant woman have an increased risk of death by transfusion-related lung injury. Another example: tracheostomy tubes differ in size depending on sex due to dimorphism in average tracheal diameter. A women who is reported as a male risks considerable injury by having a male sized tracheostomy tube forced into her windpipe. A considerable amount of medications differ in dose effectiveness and side effects based on biological sex. Something as straightforward as a heart attack has different symptoms depending on if the patient is female or male. Denial of biological sex is dangerous, and as it stands, medical science has not advanced enough to change the biological sex of an individual. If you are born male, you will stay male for your entire life. You say that a transwoman who has taken estrogen is more genetically similar to a woman, I'm sorry but that simply isn't true. A male person will always be more genetically similar to other males than to a female person.

Determination of sex is very simple, it's about the easiest genetic test to do. They have kits for high school classrooms to try out ffs. We need to leave the "meaningful sex change is possible through medical intervention" thing in the past, all we accomplish with that is giving people false hope and an unattainable goal to fixate on. Sex is real and immutable, I wish it didn't matter, but it does.

And why it matters is, maleness and femaleness have become inseparable from certain stereotypes and assigned qualities by societies in human history. Overwhelmingly, the male people subjugate the female people. Since men, male humans, discovered womens' ability to give birth could be taken advantage of, it was capitalized upon. And this is the foundation of patriarchal society. Religions were founded to justify this as the will of god. To deny that women have historically been persecuted due to their sex is, well, misogynistic. There is no "woman feeling" that makes us targets for child marriages, FGM, trafficking/prostitution, and other horrors from the minute we're born and even before. No, it's the sex we were born with that makes the world think it can decide our fate. In fact, the way that people treat male children differently from female children is so different so early, that we are genuinely unable to study human behaviour unaffected by gendered expectations. This is what feminists are talking about when they discuss "socialization". There is not a single man on the planet who knows exactly what it's like to see the world from a woman's eyes, no matter how feminine that man is. Womanhood isn't something you can achieve or acquire through effort: you were either born a woman or you weren't, just like you were either born with detached earlobes or not. It's so simple.

All that to get to my final point: Yes, I believe the definition of womanhood comes down to biology, because anything beyond that is a meaningless stereotype. Women can do anything, be anyone, look any way they want, go through any experience they do. The one thing they have in common is that they are female adult human beings. There is not way to fail at being a woman or do it wrong, you just are. Womanhood is the experience of having been a female person in this world, and nothing else. There are certain things only female human beings need, like abortion and female contraceptive rights, access to spaces where we can be safe from our subjugators (male human beings), and the ability to define ourselves and fight for our collective rights.

(At this point you may object and point out that male people who identify as trans women are also subject to violence and scorn from men: unfortunately that is often the case, but this does not make male people who identify as women, well, female. We need solutions for them that do not involve requiring women to sacrifice our comfort and safety for the sake of a particular subset of men, because of the inherent risks involved and the fact that women do not owe men anything even when those men have it bad.)

One last thing: my opinion is that prescribing exogenous cross-sex hormones is unethical (so are all elective cosmetic medical procedures but that's a post for a different day). I understand the distress that gender dysphoria inflicts on people, however the ill effects of hrt are too numerous to condone. The huge increase in risk of stroke with estrogen, heart disease and uterine atrophy with testosterone, and the way that trans medicine studies are notorious for losing followup with patients after a year or less... it's short sighted and frankly, financially motivated. The amount of trans patients who are prescribed hormones without access to an endocrinologist, it's honestly infuriating. People deserve the best care possible, not lab rat bullshit where they cut you loose when it's not working out. I won't judge anyone for what they do to themselves to cope with distress, but I want everyone, especially girls, to be aware of the lifetime effects medical decisions may have, and that you also can find happiness within yourself without hurting your body.

Thanks again for your question, be well ✌️

[brooke2valley]

So like, how does being trans work anyhow? I’ve tried to research stuff myself (by googling like fifty different things) but I still have like no idea what happens??? Like I’ve heard about HRT but I have no clue how someone would go about that?

Asking cuz I read your comics a bunch and your parents remind me of my parents

Your question seems confused so I'm gonna section off what I'm seeing.

1) being trans is identifying with a gender one was not assigned at birth. If you're AMAB (assigned male at birth) for instance, identifying as a woman or non-binary, etc would make you transgender.

2) transitioning is the process by which someone changes physical and/or social characteristics about themselves to better align with their gender identity. The ways to go about this range a lot- HRT (hormone replacement therapy), laser hair removal, clothing choices, haircuts, new names, and any number of treatments related are included.

3) The way you go about acquiring HRT is going to depend on your age, location, access to insurance, and access to healthcare. In medical establishments, there's 2 main ways its acquired

1. Informed consent - the doctor explains the risks and expectations and you consent to receiving the medication(s).

2. Diagnosis care - a therapist finds you experience gender dysphoria and believes you to be transgender and writes you a letter in order for your doctor to prescribe HRT.

You'll need to research your country and/or local area for what's legal and available.

There's a 3rd option, which is DIY, but it's usually considered a last option due to the involvement one needs to have in order to do it safely.

That's not even going into social transition, which may consist of changing your name, establishing pronouns that align with your identity, sharing your gender identity, etc

Anyways, i hope this answers all your questions and helps you out!

[infectiouspiss]

hi, curious bystander here. what would you recommend for someone who has never listened to my chemical romance before?

go here

then here

then here

[genderqueerdykes]

What is diy testosterone? Is it just like eating foods high in testosterone or smth

good question, diy hormone replacement therapy is when someone obtains testosterone, estrogen, progesterone, testosterone blockers, etc. in ways other than getting it prescribed by a doctor. some people may buy it online, from people they know irl, or get it gifted to them by other trans people. it's dangerous in that most people don't know where to start with dosing, and may not get their bloodwork tested often to see if their body is reacting in a negative way

i personally suggest finding out if it's possible to get it prescribed so you know it's safe, but if you can't, i don't necessarily want to stop someone if they live somewhere where it's impossible to get a prescription. especially if estrogen isn't illegal to buy there. it's something that i can't necessarily say i want to take away from people in countries where transition is illegal. its some peoples only option and i'd rather practice harm reduction

some people may do what you're suggesting, but i'm not sure. it's usually someone taking HRT into their own hands without medical guidance. it comes with its own risks but for some its their only option. hope that helps!

[answersfromzestual]

Improved Blog Directory - Find what you need

BLOG RULES: PLEASE READ

Educational Article on the Phalloplasty Surgical Procedure -self written

Beginning testosterone, testosterone hormone therapy - Article on HRT

How to choose clothing/shoe sizes during transition - clothing on smaller feet and frames

Formal Wear - how to dress formally during transition.

Need to speak to someone? Do you need help with your legal name change? Please click here. Translifeline.org

USA Safe States for Trans-People (Constantly Updated by the website Owner)

What to Update After Legal Name Change

Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) Testosterone - storage, travel, and injection advice

Facial Hair Information- Tips and Tricks on How to Shave (HRT)

Frequently Asked Questions about Phalloplasty - My [personal] Experiences

How can one ejaculate after phalloplasty procedure? -ask answered.

Common Phalloplasty Misconceptions- Article

Male Mannerisms- help to know male gestures, wording, and attitude- (ask)

Testosterone Experiences That Caught Me Off Guard - (Ask)

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Top Surgery (both ftm & mtf), procedures, and approximate costs.

Can I have top surgery and be overweight?

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Finding a Top Surgeron in North America

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Is more time on the operating table really better? Operating time and infection information.

Metoidioplasty FAQ

My arm and upper thigh after about a decade after phalloplasty.

My Personal Surgeon and Their Clinic

Interview with Dr. Chen about Bottom Surgery

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Importance of Uriologist

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First Ever Phalloplasty Procedure - Surgeon

Michael Dillon- Trans Pioneer (First phalloplasty patient)

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Tattooing over your forearm skin graft -ask

Testosterone and Hair Loss Information

If there are any other posts/ other topics I should add to this directory, please send me an ask. I will never post your username without your expressed consent in the ask.

[strainedgeek]

hi, i'm making a post about this on tumblr as well, since i don't have a lot of friends, or a lot of spaces to share this. this is what i've written in the post for the fundraiser my friend Koshka helped me set up

Good afternoon, thank you for your attention. My name is zac bonoldi fortuna, I am 23 years old, and I am a trans man. I have been undergoing hormone replacement therapy since I was 19 years old. I was hit by a car in 2022 and suffered severe physical and brain damage, and i still have to deal with consequences that only time might improve, because I have done everything I can to get better in terms of treatments. When I was comatose in the hospital, there was a risk of having my identity erased, because the medical team asked my relatives if they would like to change my name back to my birth name, since there was a risk that I wouldn't wake up or remember who I was. One thing that still makes me feel very ill, and affects me daily, is the fact that I can't have a mastectomy, because of the costs. It's not possible to count on my relatives to help me cover the costs, because of our history. I'm doing what I can to save every penny I can, and would be extremely grateful if anyone could help me in any way. Thank you for reading, I hope you're doing well.

[pymander-real-prosthesis]

BOTTOM GROWTH

Comprehensive Overview on FTM Bottom Growth

FTM Bottom Growth

FTM bottom growth refers to the physiological transformation where clitoral and labial tissues enlarge and adopt a scrotum-like configuration under the influence of testosterone hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in transgender men. Testosterone promotes growth in the clitoris and labia majora, leading to size increase and structural changes resembling a scrotum. This process typically begins within weeks to months of starting HRT and continues over several years.

Notably, hormone therapy is not universally chosen among transmasculine individuals, with some opting for alternative genital surgeries. The rate and extent of bottom growth vary significantly due to factors such as age, genetics, and testosterone dosage.

Experiencing FTM Bottom Growth

FTM bottom growth represents a significant aspect of physical transition for transgender men, requiring a realistic understanding of its developmental course. Initial stages of HRT may entail mild growth and heightened sensitivity in the clitoral area, accompanied by sensations like tingling or discomfort. As treatment progresses, further changes may include increased clitoral girth, length, and reduced vaginal lubrication.

Over time, these changes intensify with ongoing reshaping of the labia majora into a flatter contour and continued clitoral enlargement. Variability in the pace and magnitude of these transformations underscores the individualized nature of hormone-induced bottom growth among those undergoing HRT.

Self-Care During FTM Bottom Growth

Maintaining self-care practices is crucial for overall well-being and satisfaction during FTM bottom growth:

Hygiene Practices: Ensure meticulous hygiene to prevent infections by using gentle soap and lukewarm water for genital cleansing, avoiding harsh chemicals or scented products.

Safe Sexual Practices: Employ barrier methods consistently during sexual activity to minimize the risk of STIs, including condoms and dental dams.

Exploration of Sensation: Embrace evolving genital sensations by experimenting with different forms of stimulation to discover what feels pleasurable and fulfilling.

Effective Communication: Foster open communication with sexual partners about evolving needs, preferences, and boundaries during this transition phase to enhance mutual understanding and satisfaction.

By prioritizing these aspects of self-care, individuals navigating FTM bottom growth can foster a supportive and empowered approach to their physical transition journey.

FTM Bottom Growth and Stimulation with Pymander Packers

Questions often arise regarding pleasure and usability of Pymander Packers' stimulating mouths:

Inclusive Pleasure: Our products are designed to maximize pleasure for users of any body type, regardless of their hormone therapy status.

Customization: We recommend exploring our diverse range of products, including rods with various mouthpieces, to tailor your experience and find what suits your preferences best.

Personal Satisfaction: Our goal is to provide inclusive and effective solutions that cater to the diverse needs of all customers, ensuring a positive and fulfilling experience with our stimulating products.

Preventing Bottom Growth

For transgender men wishing to manage or slow down bottom growth during hormone therapy:

Adjust Testosterone Dosage: Consult with healthcare providers about potentially lowering testosterone levels to mitigate the conversion to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which drives clitoral enlargement and other masculinizing effects.

Dutasteride/Finasteride: These medications can block the conversion of testosterone to DHT but may cause side effects like menstrual return and reduced body hair growth. Discuss benefits and risks with healthcare providers for informed decision-making.

Enhancing Bottom Growth

For those seeking to enhance bottom growth under hormone therapy:

Clitoral Pump: Safely increase clitoral size and sensitivity using non-medical suction devices, particularly effective post-HRT initiation.

Usage Tips: Follow manufacturer guidelines rigorously to avoid discomfort or injury, gradually increasing suction and using appropriate lubrication for smooth operation.

DHT Cream: Topical application of synthetic testosterone can promote genital growth and secondary sexual characteristics development, though individual responses vary.

Considerations

Individual Variability: Responses to hormone therapy and enhancement methods differ among individuals.

Consultation: Seek guidance from healthcare providers specializing in transgender healthcare to personalize interventions aligned with individual needs and goals.

[vy-canis-melodis]

the following is a blog post, written by tanja, in the Bird HRT universe:

UPDATE and a cancelled article!

Hi all, it's been a long time since my last blog post. Here's the deal; I was in hospital. Long story short, some things went pretty wrong, and here I am, having to deal with a huge backwards step in progress then having had to retrace those steps with additional gooey complications and therapy.

Anyway, here's a journalistic article I was pretty close to finishing and submitting to actual newspapers before everything went down and I had to cancel it.

Rejecting Humanity - Or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Just Be Myself

As I write this, I'm sitting in the waiting room of a Hospital cross Research Laboratory in London. By the time you're reading this, I'll have been on my treatment journey for over a year. What treatment, you ask? Well, it's Humanity Removal Therapy. One year ago, I undertook a radical new procedure which slowly transforms you from human to another form. Perhaps you've seen strange creatures out and about; a snow leopard at the supermarket, a dog at the drive-thru, or a tuatara at the thrift shop. Or, perhaps, you haven't; as I write this, the number of patients might not yet have reached triple digits worldwide.

Perhaps I should introduce myself. My name is Tanja ------, and I am an Iberian Azure-winged Magpie, scientific name 'cyanopica cooki'. One year ago, I was fully human, and now I look like a hybrid between our two species. So, let me guide you through my world.

How is this possible?

A little over a year ago, certain medical circles revealed that species transformation had been trialled in mice, turning them into various other creatures, with various success rates from 20 to 80% depending on size and how different the target species was. Now, I'm not for animal testing, but when I heard that human trials were going to open, I kept that pinned to my calendar. And so, after a few months, I was able to finally sign up and have my first interview. Which was… short. Turns out, they had pretty elaborate ways of gatekeeping people who really meant that they wanted it from those that they thought would regret the procedures. They also had a little joke, based on gender HRT, where they would ask if you'd spent years living as your preferred species beforehand. Or at least, I think it was a joke. And then, I was on my way to becoming the bird I love.

How much did it cost?

Well, luckily for me, the NHS provides free healthcare. Then, due to this being a clinical trial, I get paid for being a test subject. Then, due to the effects of the medicine, I receive Disability Benefits. The treatment itself is… a bit of a legal loophole, really. This very article may well be the first you've heard of it.

Is it just a magic pill?

Nope! It's a mix of CRISPR, gene replacement, hormone injections, and surgeries over time. It's a real mishmash, at least in my case. For example, keratinous structures can be grown through selective DNA editing and hormones that stimulate 'hair' growth in specific areas in specific ways. Bone structure can also slowly be altered in some cases through gene replacement, though in some cases, surgery is needed. My back, for example, will soon be undergoing surgery to adjust the way the vertebrae are laid out. Some aspects just are too difficult to be done naturally, and so artificial parts and prosthetics are added. But this complicated procedure has an upside - it means that there is more customisation possible! For example, a Harpy would be a very specific set of applications of Bird HRT that exclude certain aspects such as the face!

Are there downsides?

Definitely. There's the immunosuppression that has to occur to stop new parts from being rejected. There's the high risk of cancers and other diseases to occur as a result of this procedure. There's just the risk that your organs will fail. Most of this is irreversible too.

Why even do it then?

Because, to that small number of people, it's so worth it. This is a new life, an opportunity to discard that uncomfortable human vessel and be yourself at last. For the vast majority of people, being oneself is being human, but that's not the case for everyone.

Is it going to be banned?

Well, that's hard to say. Governments worldwide are, I'm sure, now aware of this phenomenon. And I think it presents a threat to the status quo. This is something new, something scary, something intimidating, that shifts the power balance between subjects and governers. And it's not just because some people have become huge fire-breathing dragons - it's the meaning behind it. They've rejected the very notion of the social contract between humans and crafted a new identity. Do we still count as people? And that's really the question, isn't it. So much of the way government and society works is to split people into groups of those that are 'more' people, and those that are 'lesser' people - and that dictates what societal violences are permissible, for example. This whole new procedure will have to make governments rethink so much, and it can either be a source of worry for us, or a source of hope for everyone. We just have to be loud enough to be heard for who we are.

So what will come next? Well, I'm going to hop on in to my next appointment, and the Earth will keep spinning. My first set of wings has almost reached full-span, and my toe-dexterity is almost at where I was with hands as a human. With my next set of primaries, I may have enough of a wingspan to fly, if I keep my weight low enough. Meanwhile, Parliament will likely have a debate on the issue, as a petition to legalise the procedure has a few thousand signatures on the government's official petition website. I'll be waiting on that result eagerly.

If you have any other questions, I'd be more than willing to answer them!

[humancelltournament]

Human Cell Tournament Round 1

Propaganda!

Goblet cells are simple columnar epithelial cells that secrete gel-forming mucins, like mucin 2 in the lower gastrointestinal tract, and mucin 5AC in the respiratory tract. The term goblet refers to the cell's goblet-like shape. Goblet cells are typically found in the respiratory, reproductive and lower gastrointestinal tract and are surrounded by other columnar cells. Biased differentiation of airway basal cells in the respiratory epithelium, into goblet cells plays a key role in the excessive mucus production, known as mucus hypersecretion seen in many respiratory diseases, including chronic bronchitis, and asthma. Goblet cells are simple columnar epithelial cells, having a height of four times that of their width. The cytoplasm of goblet cells tends to be displaced toward the basal end of the cell body by the large mucin granules, which accumulate near the apical surface of the cell along the Golgi apparatus, which lies between the granules and the nucleus.

Progesterone (P4) is an endogenous steroid and progestogen sex hormone involved in the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and embryogenesis of humans and other species. It belongs to a group of steroid hormones called the progestogens and is the major progestogen in the body. Progesterone has a variety of important functions in the body. It is also a crucial metabolic intermediate in the production of other endogenous steroids, including the sex hormones and the corticosteroids, and plays an important role in brain function as a neurosteroid. In addition to its role as a natural hormone, progesterone is also used as a medication, such as in combination with estrogen for contraception, to reduce the risk of uterine or cervical cancer, in hormone replacement therapy, and in feminizing hormone therapy.

[ellevandersneed]

the bastard thing of it all is that the model of ideal "trans woman" is so intentionally tied up with capitalism against the will of trans women, and that people who claim to understand both marxism and queerness place the blame for this subjugation onto trans women, and call them bourgeoisie either to discredit trans women or to discredit marxism, in order to claim that marxism and trans identity are incompatible (because trans identity is "intertwined" 🙄 with capitalism).

So this subjugation happens on at least two levels:

1) Any healthcare system in any capitalist society that does not cover free hormone replacement therapy and gender affirming surgery intentionally subjugates trans identity to capital, forcing the trans individual to spend their own money (and thus intentionally attempt to restrict the amount of people who can transition) and thus spend their own time earning said money, on gender affirming care. Transmedicalist ideology and systematic transmisogyny reinforce the idea that expensive gender affirming care is absolutely necessary to achieve "true womanhood." Hormone therapy on its own can do a lot if administered at a young age, which is why hormone therapy for minors has been intensely scrutinized and demonized, because it both feeds back into capital ("you have to buy surgeries x y and z") and so that it can dissuade individuals who are interested in transition but "are too late." This demonization exists as the reinforcement of capital and, more overtly, as population control.

2) "Womanhood" in general is deeply intertwined with capitalism. Makeup industries, fitness regimens, weightloss surgeries, fashion trends, healthcare access (tampons, pads, etc), scented deodorants, hair products, and laser hair removal. To be a trans woman is to pass. To pass is to purchase as much as possible. To purchase as much as possible is to be a women and, as they say, women be shopping. It is reinforced, even in irony. To fail to pass as a transwoman does not inherently equate to violence but violence against trans women does not have to physically be present in order for it to succeed in its aim, which is to keep the trans woman in line or in the closet, under constant fear of that violence manifesting itself. The trans woman must work harder than the cis woman, must exercise her body and buy every necessary product and perform at peak "womanhood" in order to not risk this violence. This violence coerces trans women to rely on capitalism, because womanhood is defined through capitalism, and trans women are threatened with violence if they do not comply with the capitalist ideal of womanhood.

Trans women are subjugated by capitalism via the threat of violence. If socialized medicine were to universally include gender affirming care, things would only partially improve, because womanhood would still be defined narrowly and in relation to capital. If womanhood were to completely escape right wing expectation and were untangled from capitalism, things would only partially improve, if gender affirming care was not administered freely. In either case, the underlying threat of violence will need to be addressed, or else the conditions of trans women internationally will not improve. Socialized healthcare and a disentanglement of womanhood from capitalism (this is always in the process of happening, if it makes anyone reading this feel better), would alleviate a lot of the stress of being transfem, but until this underlying violence is addressed, that stress will not disappear. I believe, at least, that these two problems being solved or at least directly addressed and worked on in a critical capacity would directly lead to the underlying violence against trans women to truly begin to die off.