What kind of things should I expect in a transition?

[FluidDev0621]

What kind of things should I expect in a transition mtf? Universally? what does it feel like when your body is changing from HRT? Is there a long lasting awkwardness? Is there anything important I should know that I can't learn from basic research?

[PaulaQ]

The biggest things you should expect are largely social - your relationships with friends, family, employer are often affected, and generally not in a positive way. Not to be negative, but expect to lose something or someone you care about in this process. Not everyone does - but many of us lose everything.

The biggest things I've noticed from HRT are:
1. A profound lessening in my symptoms of GD - I was a train wreck emotionally last year. This year, it's pretty smooth sailing.
2. My breasts hurt while they are growing. Mine's not to bad - some of my friend's breasts are really sensitive though. (You will regret running into something with them.)
3. Your sex life will likely change, in large part because you'll find it difficult or impossible to have or maintain an erection. Depending on the nature of your gender dysphoria, this may actually be a relief. (It is for me - good riddance!)
4. Your skin will soften - this is subtle, but it's noticeable to the touch
5. Your breasts will grow - often a lot less than you'd care for.
6. The fat on your body will redistribute to some extent - if there's any in the first place
7. Your facial features will soften to some extent, although many of us need surgery to be really passable.

4-7 are more subtle changes, and highly dependent on your age and genetics. (In other words, you won't know what will happen until you are on HRT for a while - like a year or two.)

[Rianna Humble]

Fluid, I have just reread your posts and I think you are putting the cart before the horse.

In you r first post, you say that you think you might be genderfluid based on some research you have done. I really want to encourage you to find a reputable gender therapist and start working with them to find out what questions you need to ask yourself. In my not so humble opinion "do I pass" and "what does transition feel like physically" are not the right questions to ask at this stage.

If you are genderfluid, or even just a man who feels comfortable wearing women's clothes, then transition would be an absolute disaster for you.

The most important things that you need to know which you cannot learn from research is who you are and what is your gender.