Hey Samantha, you mentioned you drink graprefruit juice, but isn't it bad to drink grapefruit juice and take pills? Coincidentally the other day I was just drinking it and took an SP without realizing afterwards and to err on the side of caution I just poured out my grapefruit juice.

Grapefruit juice is interesting. You should see some of the info posted by dear Lotus to get a clearer picture of what its properties are. Lol...sorry you spilled yours out...tee hee.

And thanks for the kind words, Janet.


As an update. still on primarily the estradiol with no AA, though I discontinued the supplemental T, and resupplied with PC and added that again.
Feeling a very slow reawakening of the libido, though still too soon to tell. But I am also not enjoying the rest of this right now. This business of trying to have it both ways is difficult. I am missing the euphoric emotional highs I got from PM, and my breasts do not throb constantly any more (though I do not feel they are shrinking either).
I was discussing this with Sarah, and have concluded I need to work on suppressing DHT but without blocking T. More reading...sigh...

As an update. still on primarily the estradiol with no AA, though I discontinued the supplemental T, and resupplied with PC and added that again.
Feeling a very slow reawakening of the libido, though still too soon to tell. But I am also not enjoying the rest of this right now. This business of trying to have it both ways is difficult. I am missing the euphoric emotional highs I got from PM, and my breasts do not throb constantly any more (though I do not feel they are shrinking either).
I was discussing this with Sarah, and have concluded I need to work on suppressing DHT but without blocking T. More reading...sigh...

I'm sympathetic to that view (Sarah's), as well, Sammie. I want to attack DHT head on when I finish up my herbal break in just 7 days. It's interesting how being off PM for 3 weeks now has reduced my breast awareness to almost zero. That is, the tenderness and density of the buds has disappeared even though the breast tissue is still present. I like that except for the fact that I know growth has stopped. I do want more growth as it turns out, but I also want to reduce secondary male sex characteristics, like body hair, even more. What do you think is the very best way to reduce DHT (I was taking Pygeum before my break)?

Clara

Thats what I am working on, Clara. I will let you know what I figure out. Sarah is suggesting Fincar (Finasteride) or something along those lines, rather than something herbal, but I am still researching what other options exist.

Thats what I am working on, Clara. I will let you know what I figure out. Sarah is suggesting Fincar (Finasteride) or something along those lines, rather than something herbal, but I am still researching what other options exist.

Hey! Don't out me as being anti-herbal in regards to blocking DHT!

I was still in the closet lmfao...

All joking aside, I come from a place of militant opposition to DHT, as I really loathe hair regrowth after I pay good money to have it lasered off! Finasteride/Dutasteride is a weak drug compared other others, but compared to herbs it's stronger. A relatively targeted drug with a somewhat safer risk profile than some others. It's commercial use is to prevent male pattern baldness.

Take a look at the link in the last thread I posted if you're curious, Clara. Although, I am by no means trying to sell you on it lol. SP just always gave me acid reflux, and as for other herbs, I would have to consume massive doses for them to have an noticeable effect on DHT. Everyone is different though.

Thats what I am working on, Clara. I will let you know what I figure out. Sarah is suggesting Fincar (Finasteride) or something along those lines, rather than something herbal, but I am still researching what other options exist.

Hey! Don't out me as being anti-herbal in regards to blocking DHT!

I was still in the closet lmfao

You're anti-herbal Sarah?

Thats what I am working on, Clara. I will let you know what I figure out. Sarah is suggesting Fincar (Finasteride) or something along those lines, rather than something herbal, but I am still researching what other options exist.

Hey! Don't out me as being anti-herbal in regards to blocking DHT!

I was still in the closet lmfao

You're anti-herbal Sarah?

See what you've done, Sammie?

Specifically for DHT, yes...but I explained my reasons why in my edit of the previous post. It's purely based on my personal experience rather then some sort of strange dualist notion of a "good" and a "bad" side. If I could take PM and SP with no nasty side effects, I'd still be taking them.

I really dislike people that take their personal experiences with something and then think it's that way for everyone else. For example, "My GD is a result of societal stigmas that made me ashamed to be who I really am, therefore all GD is a result of societal standards". It's egotistical and fails to appreciate the wide range of differences amongst your fellow humans.

So, let me just say I'm not advocating that what works for me necessarily will work for anyone else, only that if a person is unhappy with the effectiveness of their chosen DHT blocking herbs, a pharma alternative may be worth a look. That's all.

Thats what I am working on, Clara. I will let you know what I figure out. Sarah is suggesting Fincar (Finasteride) or something along those lines, rather than something herbal, but I am still researching what other options exist.

Hey! Don't out me as being anti-herbal in regards to blocking DHT!

I was still in the closet lmfao

You're anti-herbal Sarah?

See what you've done, Sammie?

Specifically for DHT, yes...but I explained my reasons why in my edit of the previous post. It's purely based on my personal experience rather then some sort of strange dualist notion of a "good" and a "bad" side. If I could take PM and SP with no nasty side effects, I'd still be taking them.

Ok, I understand. So you're not anti-herbal with pm?

It's bad enough that you detest Disney musicals!

Thats what I am working on, Clara. I will let you know what I figure out. Sarah is suggesting Fincar (Finasteride) or something along those lines, rather than something herbal, but I am still researching what other options exist.

Hey! Don't out me as being anti-herbal in regards to blocking DHT!

I was still in the closet lmfao...

All joking aside, I come from a place of militant opposition to DHT, as I really loathe hair regrowth after I pay good money to have it lasered off! Finasteride/Dutasteride is a weak drug compared other others, but compared to herbs it's stronger. A relatively targeted drug with a somewhat safer risk profile than some others. It's commercial use is to prevent male pattern baldness.

Take a look at the link in the last thread I posted if you're curious, Clara. Although, I am by no means trying to sell you on it lol. SP just always gave me acid reflux, and as for other herbs, I would have to consume massive doses for them to have an noticeable effect on DHT. Everyone is different though.

Sarah, what's a reasonable dosage for finasteride (Propecia, Fincar, etc)? AllDayChemist.com sells 1mg and 5mg tablets.

Clara

Flame: I wouldn't ever take PM again, myself. However, that is because I like being able to breath. I consider it to be far better at what it does than the herbal anti-androgens, though. In my opinion, that is why many people can grow on just PM. Its anti androgenic properties are somewhat underrated. While with something like SP or spearmint, it will only be effective in combination with other herbs (i.e. hops, PM, FG, etc.) Basically, I'm not anti-PM if it works for you with no side-effects, which it certainly seems to in most people.

Clara- The 5 mg tabs are the way to go. Buying it like that is a far cheaper option than the 1mg tabs. I'd say 2.5mg daily is a fine dose, altthough like anything YMMV. Personally, I split the 5mg pills into fourths and take two of those fourths a day. Also, when you factor in the shipping, inhousepharmacy.biz is usually a bit cheaper. ADC's prices are lower, but they charge for shipping while inhouse doesn't to the continental US. Btw, I've also talked to a board member who took only 1.25 mg a day of fincar, but they were on estradiol depot shots...which would be a good deal more potent than either oral E or PM.

Of course, you could always complain to your doctor about thinning hair at some point to save some money....although fincar isn't that expensive online anyways.

Wow, I get off to do some work for an hour or so and there is some kind of party going on on my program page.....hey everyone! PARTY at Sammies!..tee hee...and Sarah seems mad at me too...lol... Well, who do I see to get a drink, then?
Seriously, though, since I have apparently got one foot on the pharma wagon, I se to be leaning toward putting the other one aboard, too, and following Sarah's advice.
Does this mean my herbal purist card will finally be revoked now?
If so, I am going to blame Sarah...