What did you notice

[tabitha_az]

i am close to going on hormones. I am wondering what girls noticed after they started taking them...after 1month, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year...etc.
tabitha

[Karen564]

Hmmmm, Lots of wonderful things & their still altering my body even after 4 years of taking them..:)

[Teri Jean]

Tabitha you are not the only one and from what I have been told it varies with each person. But as Karen said we will experiance a number of wonderful things. Wish you the best in your transition.

Teri

[Super Amanda]

Hey, fellow AZ chick! What a coincidence that I can also tell you whats been happening in the beginning.

I started estradiol on August 31 last year, and spironolactone on November 10.

On just the e at first , I did not notice almost any changes. But since starting spiro in November, changes are become noticeable.

Biggest change, so far, is my skin is sooooo soft now. It's great!

I haven't really measured, but my boobs are slightly starting to show, especially my nipples. No pain, itching or sensitivity yet, although I did crash the top edge of the car door window frame into my left breast while opening it a couple of weeks ago, and gosh did it hurt! Almost akin to the intensity of testicular trauma, ( aka- kicked in the balls...) to me. Also I just noticed in the shower today that lefty seems to be a tiny bit ahead of righty, which seems to be fairly common.

I also have begun to notice that my shape is ever so slightly changing into a more typical woman's shape, like right under my breasts, my abdomen seems to have come in a bit, further emphasizing the breast development, and contributing to the "hourglass" shape. Thighs and butt seem to be getting a tad bit larger, as I've noticed my girl jeans fit better, and my guy jeans are starting to look ridiculous on me!

Just a couple of days ago, I believe I had my first hormonal mood swing, and got real depressed until the next day, then I was fine again.

I see an indescribable difference in my eyes and face, that no one else seems to notice, but I certainly see.

So I've been going since 8-31, and that's where I am! Hope I could help! :)

[Super Amanda]

One MAJOR change I forgot about because I don't care, is libido.Mine is almost non-existent now, and erections are hard to get/maintain. Also the little dude seems to be shrinking a little bit. This I realize can be a deal breaker for some, so I felt like I needed to mention it. Sorry if it's too much info! :eek:

[Kimberly Marie Kelly]

Within the first 2 weeks began to notice breast sensitivity, within a month started to notice a firming and more defined shape to my breast, no noticeable size increase till about 2 months. The breast became very sensitive and I hit them on the car door edges alot. As Amanda says they do hurt like the dickens when hit.

Have also noticed noticeable improvement in skin complexion. Before I had lots of break outs, when shaving the upper legs I had lots of bumps and in-grown hairs. After 7-8 months now my hair growth has slowed or stopped in several areas, my armpits have no more hair, I don't stink as much if at all. I only need to shave my breast/chest/legs/arms like every two weeks now. Whereas I needed to shave every other day to keep clear. I still need to shave my face everyday, but it doesn't grow back as fast it is slower growing.

Within like 4 month's I've noticed a redistribution of body fat, especially around the butt, hips and thighs. I've noticed changes in my face, subtle though they are. And with the Avodart I'm on my hair is getting thicker, this is compared to pictures taken two years ago before I was on hormones. One big change I've noticed is body strength, My strength is only 1/2 of what I was say 10 months ago.

I will also say one thing , my libido is zero. I can't have an erection easily, takes alot of work to get an orgasm and it is what would be considered a dry orgasm (no semen). After about a year or so you are essentially sterile. They say after 18-24 months your male function will never return if you stop the hormones. But I do like this.

You become much more sensitive and emotional as a woman. My tastes in movies and music have most definitely changed. Since I've went 24/7 my friendships with other women have improved considerably and my outlook on life has improved. I wouldn't go back and look forward to eventually having surgery when I can.

Hope this gives you the information you needed. Kimberly Marie Kelly :battingeyelashes:

[Angel.Marie76]

I'll also put out thanks to the girls here for the .02$ of info. I have rec'd my estrodial and spiro last week, and am just letting them age a bit before I set up my appt with my Endo for 'the start' so-to-say. This may sound silly, but my GF wanted me to 'clone-a-willy' before I started on HRT so that we'll have something to play with when it starts to fade. I don't have a problem with that, as long as she's happy. I am a little nervous at the start of it all, and am looking forward to the developments as they occur.

Kimberly, I notice you mentioned Avodart, I presume you were prescripbed that by your Endo? I was planning on talking with mine about a hair-repair treatment along with the pros and cons of progesterone too, since I'll be going back in about a month to get the ball rolling.

I've known that my libido may go the way of the Dodo, and, while I might say that 'yay!' I don't have to worry about pleasing this male-attached part of me so much, I am wondering what the totality of the effect might be.. i.e. sensuality and so on. I've felt that, as a woman today, there is a percentage of my existence that is driven by sensuality, or the urge to feel and BE sexy. Isn't sex-y driven by urges of the libido? If there is no libido, does one loose this 'spark' that feels like it's there pre-hormones?

Granted, I don't feel it's a deal-breaker for me, I do want my figure, and I wanted it 20 years ago, but all I have to do now is to catch up! :)

[Melissa A.]

Pretty much all of the above. A couple of things that weren't mentioned-

Body hair. I used to have to shave my legs, arms, and torso at least a couple of times a week. After 16 months on HRT, I still have to do my forearms a little less than weekly, but my tummy, chest, and legs? I can go around 2 weeks without it really showing, especially in the winter, when it matters less. When I say "showing", I mean a few hairs, not a forest. It really is great.

Upper body stregth is very, very noticeabley about half of what it used to be. This is a point of contention with some people-my Mom and I have this arguement all of the time. As a GG who has always had to deal with the frustration of being strength challenged, compared to men, she cannot understand how this can make me happy. I admit that at times it can be somewhat frustrating to not have the abilities I used to, but I'm sure many of you can relate to this- I was something of an athlete in my previous life, and a year ago, I was self-conscious about wearing short sleeves, and sleeveless was out of the question. Now it doesn't even enter my mind. For me, some of this may also be the result of aging. I do get excercise, but I try to be careful that it isn't of the obvious strength-building type, especially for my arms. What can I say? Being weaker does make me happy. Maybe it's time for a t-shirt- "It's a Trans thing-You wouldn't understand"

Hugs,

Melissa:)

[CharleneT]

Above answers pretty cover it. A couple of additions, first, which changes occur varies a LOT! You may have two of this and none of that and one that other bit. Especially if you are older. Patience is a virtue on this one.

As for libido, it is said almost universally that this will go away. That is not always the case, maybe not even the majority. It changes in nature and spontaneous erections will go away. But with the right stimulation it is likely that things will work. Your testicles will shrink over time, but that doesn't mean the rest of the plumbing is dead. In fact, if you ask the SRS surgeon's, they'll tell you that it is better to keep some sort of stimulation process up while in transition - there is a relationship between being able to have an orgasm before SRS and how quickly your body will re-learn that wonderful little trick, after SRS. So, moral of the story, use it or maybe lose it. It may go away completely, or not, but don't just assume it will.

[cara]

I'm waiting for my first Endo appt. next week and all this talk about libido ceasing is a concern. What does erectile dsyfunction necessarily have to do with libido? Don't GG's have libidos?
Wouldn't one's libido increase the more congruent her body is with inner self?
Cara

[Super Amanda]

Don't GG's have libidos?



Yes, but not the same way as a male. It's not gone for me, it's just I have to get my imagination going pretty good to have an effective erection, whereas before, just some physical stimulation alone could sometimes be enough. And the orgasm itself fells kind of different to me, still good, but different.

I do admit that I have been enjoying "exploring" my new sensations, and I never had any ED issues in the past, so I hope to never lose the ability to orgasm, but if it happens, it happens, I came to that conclusion a while back.

Random erections for seemingly no reason seem to be gone as well.

[TerryTerri]

I'm waiting for my first Endo appt. next week and all this talk about libido ceasing is a concern. What does erectile dsyfunction necessarily have to do with libido? Don't GG's have libidos?
Wouldn't one's libido increase the more congruent her body is with inner self?
Cara

It's a little more complicated than that. A woman's libido is a VERY complicated thing for the most part. A male's is simple, name a time and place! A lot of that reality has to do with testosterone. Ask the FtM about that, a usual reaction for them from testosterone is that their libido gets much higher.

So, the next layer of that onion is basically males have relied upon simple testosterone for their libido. It is very reliable for that. Once we start a hormone regime the testosterone goes away and the estrogen arrives. Our libido 'controller and instigator' stops doing the job we relied upon it to do and we basically have to re-learn our libido from a different place. Our libido ends up being controlled and instigated from our emotions, feelings and in our head, like a woman's libido.

That's my understanding of the situation. I think it usual for a male libido to diminish once taking a female hormone regime. It may never be what it once was. I will say I unexpectingly enjoy not having sex on the brain most of the time, as I did before my hormone regime. But, in time we learn what turns us on in an emotional way, just like a GG and viola libido!!!

PS. I have been on HRT since February/March 2009. My ability to get an erection is all but gone and the size has srunken considerably (1/3 original size, if that, when softly erect, which is as erect as it gets). Basically, it would be impossible for me to function as a normal male sexual partner at this point. But, considering the internal changes, the newfound internal wholeness and greatly diminished internal termoil, the price is VERY easy for me to accept. I still have a libido, it has not completely disappeared but I'm finding numerous things are being internally readjusted. It seems to be happeneing sort of on it's own for me. I'm not having to do anything different on purpose. I just sort of relax go withthe flow and things happen differently on their own.

[Felicity71]

I would say my mind has changed. All i can think of is Rainbows, Kittens and the colour pink.

[CharleneT]

I'm waiting for my first Endo appt. next week and all this talk about libido ceasing is a concern. What does erectile dsyfunction necessarily have to do with libido? Don't GG's have libidos?
Wouldn't one's libido increase the more congruent her body is with inner self?
Cara

It is a little more complex than that ... it isn't exactly ED. When I use the word libido, I mean the sex drive. Although when having these discussions in the open forums, it is also "code" for being able to have an erection - trying to avoid making my replies too descriptive and therefore out of line. Anyway, ED is a male with a relatively normal sex drive who can't get it up as often as he wants ( or at all ). It comes from a variety of causes. In the case of HRT, you do get a chemically induced form of ED. But more importantly, you also start to develop a female sex drive. IT is a very different experience! I'm not sure I can describe it, or how orgasms feel now.

DO have a serious talk with your Endo about this issue. HRT is going to cause some change for sure. As your doc will explain, after a while, you are also going to be sterile. So, if you have any intention of making babies in the future, you may consider sperm banking.

[Kaitlyn Michele]

Yes, but not the same way as a male. It's not gone for me, it's just I have to get my imagination going pretty good to have an effective erection, whereas before, just some physical stimulation alone could sometimes be enough. And the orgasm itself fells kind of different to me, still good, but different.

I do admit that I have been enjoying "exploring" my new sensations, and I never had any ED issues in the past, so I hope to never lose the ability to orgasm, but if it happens, it happens, I came to that conclusion a while back.

Random erections for seemingly no reason seem to be gone as well.

TMI warning...


So this libido thing interests me because I haven't really lost much libido, and whereas it used to takeme a while to "fully enjoy my exploration"...LOL....now it happens VERY quickly and I may be making this up but it feels so much better and more satisfying...Charlene I could not agree with you more based on my experience so far....i would describe the difference as feeling internally satisfied vs feeling externally satistfied...
btw...virtually nothing comes out...and the random erections are less, but they have not gone away..

i think this is a good thing...and as i interview srs surgeons my first question is whether I will be able feel that sexual feeling and release...so far the answer is all good news, with the caveat that there is a bit of risk...

I've also been told many times,(and mentioned it here)...that there is a use it or lose concept that some girls suffer from...they start HRT...hate their penis...never ever touch it or think of touching and then 2 years later want a female orgasm....i'm told (and of course i can't possibly know this for sure!) that it doesnt work that way...and that its a complaint of my women after srs...

all the other posts are example how its different for everyone..its especially true that HRT works on you over a very very long time...which is good!

[Angel.Marie76]

As your doc will explain, after a while, you are also going to be sterile. So, if you have any intention of making babies in the future, you may consider sperm banking.

When I told my Endo and therapist I was fixed, they both looked at me, surprised. I don't really understand why. After one child I KNEW I wasn't cut out to be a Dad.. and of course, I don't regret my little guy at all.. either way, I think everyone was quite clear that I REALLY donna want my hardware anymore. :-)

[Super Amanda]

all the other posts are example how its different for everyone..

Great point. We should start a thread, or maybe add a section to the Transsexual forum, that is for us to document how HRT is affecting us individually, as it seems to be something we are all curious about.

We could do something like break down our stats like, age, time started, meds used (no dosage, of course) and then we could update when we see specific changes?

What do you girls think?

[Faith_G]

I would love to see that!

[Kimberly Marie Kelly]

I'd definitely be interested in that as well. Kimberly Marie Kelly :battingeyelashes:

[Hope]

Sounds nifty - but can we put it in safe haven?

[morgan51]

I;d be good with that also safe haven seems like the right place for it. Morgan

[Ms Deidre]

I started noticing changes in my personality in about two weeks, the bodychanges take longer. I have been on hormones 7 plus years and still notice changes. I only have to shave my legs twice a week now as opposed to every day before. As for the libido loss I found that lasted a year or so then it returned. Then again I have always been attracted to men. :o