[zoe_m]

Hi,

Finally plucking up the courage to post, will use this as a reference going forward. I started in October, currently taking (daily):

500g-1000g PM (ainterol)
1mg Finasteride
150mg aspirin every other day (to try and counteract any clotting) 

Current measurements:
Underbust: 37"
Bust: 41"
Waist: 35"
Hips: 38"

Have definitely had a bit of growth/filling both in breasts and bottom (caveat - I was on estradiol for a few months ~25 years ago so it wasn't a completely blank starting point)

I'm currently on a couple week break from PM to figure out what to do going forward. I remember the (wonderful) feeling on HRT years ago where mentally/emotionally things just "felt right", like a sort of calmness/lack of anxiety (if that makes sense) and I do feel similar with PM, but I'm nervous about DVT. I've never had a DVT but I do have varicose veins in one leg and a very sedentary job. I've got ~100 capsules left and not sure whether to finish them up and then maybe try BO. And/or add some topicals. So much information here it's hard to parse it all!

I also need to work out an exercise plan, I've put weight on the past few years (currently 72kg/160lbs, used to be 66kg/145lbs) especially around the love handles. But again I know we need to have some fat to redistribute so I'm not sure what the best approach should be. I want to start doing squats etc to help build up hips a bit but any advice here would be amazing. 

I've put some pics below, apologies for the body hair I know it's horrible.

Also wanted to say thank you so much for all the helpful information the regular posters (Lotus, Lara, etc) have put on the site, it really is a blessing.

Best wishes,
Zoe

   
   

[wee2er]

Welcome aboard Zoe, 

Sounds like you are starting out on the right foot and do your research, there is a lot of science stuff but we are here to help and support all. 

Do you have an end goal, if not I'd suggest thinking about this as this really helps you along the NBE path.


I along with many others have done PM and BO and yes they can and do work but I'm now on HRT (Een injections) which are far MORE effective, but everyone needs to start somewhere.


If I knew 3-years ago what I know now I wouldn't have bothered with PM at all, just simply because its not the most effective and of course carries the potential of DVT. For me its not worth it when there are better methods that are proven to work.  

If I was starting again, I wouldn't worry about loosing the 'love handles' so much, and go straight onto BO and a good topical regime, along with more legs, bums, tums, (feminisation) exercises.

BO - lots of us fantastic lot on here have had good results, OK, some haven't, but that is the rub with BO, for some people it works, others it doesn't, however, I now think that the additions can help tip the balance to working for most. Work up slowly and find what dose feels best, 1500mg/day (spread out) is generally accepted as the most optimal dose. I used to do mine rectal (dissolve two caps in 5ml of warm water) for max effect. The only downside to BO is that it gets expensive when on 6xcaps/day.

Topical - this is a new area of research that is backed up by some solid results, Lotus, Lara, Steventor, myself, just to name a few. The great potential with topical is that it is targetable, I'm done with breast growth so concentrating on my lower curves and it is making a difference, whereas others are using it for breast enlargement and/or lower half. Check out the fantastic topical thread, but essentially it is mix together:

• dry ingredients - micronised DHEA, BO
  
• wet ingredients - prog cream, DMSO and/or Aloe Vera gel
  
• Enhancers - Red clover, Cayenne extract (applied afterwards)
  

Feminisation exercises - do a YouTube search, there's loads of ladies on there with great workouts, try a few out as they do work. Unfortunately, I'm to inconsistent with my exercises, but hoping to change that this year.

Hope that helps, remember to listen to your body and good luck.

[zoe_m]

Welcome aboard Zoe, 

Sounds like you are starting out on the right foot and do your research, there is a lot of science stuff but we are here to help and support all. 

Do you have an end goal, if not I'd suggest thinking about this as this really helps you along the NBE path.

Thanks wee2er. 

If I'm totally honest I don't really know my end goal at this point. I started to transition at 21 then stopped due to a few reasons - mostly family/parents. It was also a different time back then. Then 25 years of denial, marriage, 'undenial', telling my wife (no she wasn't supportive), denial, kids. Life is so complicated. But I feel like I've spent my life either keeping other people happy or living in fear of losing everything. It's mostly just, coping? But with this deep sadness... I don't know I guess some people here might relate. So in truth I know deep down I want to transition, but I don't know if I can go through with it. This is I guess a stepping stone at this point.

Part of me would like to go on to HRT but I'm in the UK and not really ready to go through the whole NHS rigmarole, so BO sounds like the best option at this point.

[wee2er]

I'm UK too, so fantastic to have yet another UK NBe'r  

I count myself lucky as I'm male staying male so have never had the doubts, stress etc that you and so many have / had, I cant even start to imagine what it's like.

Congratulate on taking these new baby steps now, ultimately we all need to do what make us happy , where that takes us is wherever! I'm a bit of a steam buff, so liken my journey to a train ride, sat in my 1st class coach pulled along at speed by Mallard (ok I'm sad LOL). The journey has lots of stations along the way but the one station I know I wont alight at is transition, I'm happy to just keep on riding this long, scenic journey. 

Everyone's journey is diffrent so hope yours is enjoyable and you achieve  your happy you.

HRT in the UK is a pain, or rather the system is! If you had decided transitioning is your goal then I'd say get the ball rolling with your GP as it will takes years!
Alternatively, DIY'ing it is the most obvious way around the system, I've been doing just that for over 2-years and not had any issues at all, but doing the research is vital to make sure you keep yourself safe. 

BO is a great starting point, then add topicals etc as and when you feel the time is right and lean on us when you have any queries.

[zoe_m]

Thank you! Yes good to know someone close to home.

Reading through the topical thread (gosh that's a lot of info) do you think it would be beneficial to try micronised DHEA and Red Clover early on with BO? Or wait and maybe add one thing at a time to see how the body responds? I understand holding off on progesterone until much further down the tracks (to continue your train analogy!    )

[wee2er]

Thank for not going 'off track' (groan LOL)

Yes the topical thread is a tad info heavy, but well worth exploring.

I'd certainly say that you can start the topical at the beginning, but wisely, do one thing at a time and listen to your body.

Personally, I'd start the BO, ramp that up, and as soon as you know you can tolerate BO, start a simple topical regime. 

The micronised DHEA & RC being a good start but you'll need a carrier, typically either Aloe Vera gel, MCT oil, single source olive oil, or as I am just looking, at DMSO gel/liquid.

You could get DHEA cream, but it is expensive, so I use the micronised DHEA from Swanson.

Hope that helps.

[zoe_m]

Thank you so much, that seems like a wise approach will give that a try.