Does low dose HRT make any physical changes

[Tina955]

My therapist gave me a letter suggesting low dose and a list of Doctors I can see to get started. I had decided on an internist instead of a gynecologist, and he told me it will start causing me to have some physical changes in terms of secondary female characteristics. My therapist didn't agree. Can anyone who has taken this path tell me what to expect. Thinking of seeing a gynecologist for a second opinion. At this point just trying to get my GD under control.

Tina

[Stephania]

I'm on a very low dose due to having cardiac problems in the past. I can tell you that that low dose has made definite changes o my body. I have been on it for about 14 months and have a cups, working toward b cups.
Stephania

[Jorja]

Hormones are nothing to mess with. They will change your body chemistry no matter the strength. To answer all of your questions, I recommend talking to your doctor. We are all different and the HRT will effect us all in different ways.

[Dianne S]

You most probably will see physical changes. I've had noticeable breast development just from 6 months of spironolactone. I've only been on estrogen for 18 days or so; clearly that's nowhere near enough time for the estrogen to have had any physical effects. I guess the testosterone suppression allowed the tiny amount of estrogen I had naturally to do its thing.

However, it boils down to luck. Totally depends on your genetics.

[Jorja]

Excuse me Dianne, but exactly what do you mean by " I've had noticeable breast development just from 6 months of spironolactone". Spiro is a diuretic. It will not cause breast development. However, as a side effect it will cause swelling in the breast. Now that you have started estrogen you are about to find out the difference between swelling and real growth.

[Tina955]

Thank you all you wonderful people for the responses. So I am taking it that at the very least I would have some breast development. Which I really wouldn't mind at all if I could keep them somewhat hidden until I know for sure how far I would want to go. Problem is I live in Florida and wear tank shirts most of the time so hiding them would be near impossible. I am a very thin person at 5'9" and about 142 lbs with narrow shoulders and already pretty prominent pecs, which are starting to sag a wee bit from age and gravity,so they would probably be very noticeable. Not real concerned about the general public, it's my daughter, son and grandson that concerns me. And they know nothing of my GD at this point. So I have some serious contemplating do do. Between a heavy dose of GD and the loneliness and depression of losing my wife to breast cancer a few years ago, I think I a, going to lose my mind if I don't do something soon. Have already tried antidepressants and did absolutely nothing for me.


Thanks again all,
Tina
Also want to add, the fact my stature is thin and narrow, and a basically hairless body (literally no hairier than the average woman) I feel like my body would feminize rather easily.

[STACY B]

I might be outta line but I say at your age why worry ? You have the right to be happy too , So just follow your heart an you may not even need any of those other meds ?

Why fight it so hard ? Just take it an let the chips fall where they may ,, Just my thoughts ?

[lesliecleves]

The changes have surprised me. Much smaller genitals, darkening line (what's it called again?) down middle of scrotum, aches in testicles, and incipient budding and larger nipple on one--only one--breast. Still it seems a blessing.

[Jorja]

First, remember that we are all different and our bodies use the estrogen differently. Then there is the genetics thing. It's kind of a crap shoot as to how well your body will respond. Some do and some don't. If you are going to take HRT, you have to be sure these type of changes are what you want. That you can live with the changes. Your daughter, son, and grandson need to be on board with your decision because you are not going to be able to hide the changes for very long. Maybe 6 months to a year at most. They are going to notice.

[Stephania]

Jorja,
Taking just Spiro will have an effect on breast growth. A TS friend is only able to take Spiro. She has some breast growth. I think it is due to the diminished T gives the E in your body a chance to do something.

Stephania

[Dianne S]

Jorja, what I mean by "noticeable breast development" is this: My measurement under the breasts (where you'd measure the band size) is 31" and the fullest part of my breasts have gone from 31.75" to 33". Also, when I put on a tight T-shirt, you can notice little bumps like you'd see on a 12-year-old starting puberty. My daughter saw that and said "I see boobies!"

[Tina955]

I might be outta line but I say at your age why worry ? You have the right to be happy too , So just follow your heart an you may not even need any of those other meds ?

Why fight it so hard ? Just take it an let the chips fall where they may ,, Just my thoughts ?

I hear what you are saying Stacy, but having a serious problem getting over the hump so to speak. Already lost the wife, and am deathly afraid of possibly losing my kids. Loneliness sucks as much as the burning desire to become who I feel I am on the inside. Sometimes I just think to myself I just need to suffer until the sweet release of death :-(
Tina

[STACY B]

If that's the way you feel then WHY NOT just throw it out there an see what happens ? We make ourselves lonely ,, You have to reach out an TRY ,,

You don't give people enough credit ,, Most people are Nice an Accepting an Loving given the chance ,, Be yourself an Love yourself the world will come to YOU !
People can feel the way you feel believe or not ,, You give off the Vibe ,, Give off the Good vibe an they will respond . You Love yourself ,, Then they will Love you Too .

[Ann Louise]

I had decided on an internist instead of a gynecologist... Thinking of seeing a gynecologist for a second opinion...Tina

It sounds like your therapist is experienced in trans-related matters, a definite plus, but your choice to use a therapist over a more experienced medical practitioner is curious. Why not have a fully experienced physician as your primary HRT physician, one who specializes in concerns directly related to yours as a transitioner, particularly an endocrinologist (ENDO)? An ENDO is a specialist in hormonal concerns, and a good choice for starting out a course of HRT. Too, there are GPs to be found out there who have extensive experience in transition-related medicine, but you must be direct and to the point in questioning them regarding the depth and duration of their experience before you engage their services. In medical matters as serious as HRT I would suggest assembling an experienced team of professionals from the outset. Many trans girls, myself included, had the notion that they could dip their toes in the water of HRT, only to find that the slow, steady physical progression coupled with a sweet psychological and emotional transformation changed their plans rather radically. Good luck honey, and be strong.

[PretzelGirl]

Tina, one other thing that I think is important to know is that some of the secondary changes, including breast growth, don't revert back if you stop HRT. I am concerned that you are wearing tanks and worrying about it showing. If it grows, you can't stop and hope for it all to go away. Some things do, some don't.

[Persephone]

What about changing tanktops for loose t-shirts or loose polo shirts? (Yes, I actually do know south Florida heat and humidity, I grew up there).


Excuse me Dianne, but exactly what do you mean by " I've had noticeable breast development just from 6 months of spironolactone". Spiro is a diuretic. It will not cause breast development. However, as a side effect it will cause swelling in the breast. Now that you have started estrogen you are about to find out the difference between swelling and real growth.

I hate to disagree, Jorja, but I've been on low-dose spiro for years and prior to starting on hormones my endo sent me for a baseline mamogram because she felt I had "definite female breast tissue." The mamogram supported her. Could be due to something other than spiro, but spiro could probably be named as a co-conspirator.

Hugs,
Persephone.

[Heidi Stevens]

Hey Tina, I just started low dose HRT, so I'm wondering what might change as well. I saw that you are six months older, so we are the same boat I guess. In my case, moobs from just getting old has me already with a near A cup, so I don't know what the end result may be. If folks ask, I'll just say "I'm an older guy, we get moobs when we get older"
I have started taking pictures just to see if I can pick up on any physical changes. I'm going to take a couple every Sunday.
I'll string them together in about 10 weeks to see if the change is noticeable.

[Tina955]

Sue, I understand things won't just go back to normal once I started HRT. The fact is once I started seeing changes, I feel I would be thrilled and want to keep going and growing so to speak. But at this point I am not going to start anything until I can talk to my children and see how they feel about having their father start changing into a woman. Problem is, my son resides in NJ and would like to have them in front of me when I talk to them, and not necessarily at the same time.

Persephone, on top of living in So Florida, I am in the dry cleaning bussiness which has steam in lieu of A/C so it can get extremely hot in the summer, so anything more than tank shirts at work I think I would spontaneously combust. If I started growing breasts, I would probably still wear tanks and go braless at work. Which also brings up another issue, I share the bussiness with a extremely conservative brother and sister, basically gay bashers, but I guess they would just have to learn to deal with my changes.
I do feel I am getting to the point where something has to change in my life, because I would never do this to my kids, but ending it all has entered my thoughts. Again I would never act on those thoughts, they already lost their mom, and I would rather suffer than do that to them.
Thanks again everyone for all your advise and info. Never ceases to amaze me how caring and thoughtful you all are. It brings tears to my eyes

Tina
P.S. Just noticed I just graduated from Jr. member to member. Yay!

Heidi, I am very interested in how things go for you since you just started. So definitely keep me posted on any changes you experience.
Thank you,
Tina

[I Am Paula]

Since the only certainty is that YMMV, if you can't live with the physical changes that might happen, perhaps you have to re examine HRT. If the low level HRT is helping, you may have to deal with having breasts. Catch 22.
I'm curious why you are torn between the two types of Doctors, when an endocrinologist is what you really need.

[celeste26]

The biology is this, everyone has both 'T' and 'E' in their body it is just a matter of how much and what the ratio is. When one or the other is blocked the remaining will have free reign. Some genetic males have more 'E' than others due to an undiagnosed intersex condition. But unless there is some added 'E' it will not get to the same level as a genetic female. That is how using Spiro can "allow" breast growth, it does not cause it, just allows it to happen due to other causes present in that body.

[Kaitlyn Michele]

You said "getting to the point of something needs to change in my life..."

I have heard this so many times from so many of us.

Stay focused and thoughtful Tina. Take the steps you feel you need to beat your gender dysphoria and this sounds like a good start to me