2007 HRT Yes-no?

[Kelsy]

I am seriously considering hormones. There is alot to consider and I haven't the slightest idea what to take ,where to get them, what side effects I should be aware of etc. Any one have any imformation/experience?? should I or not????


Jennifer:confused:

[Kate Simmons]

You may want to check some of the threads in the TS Forum Jennifer. I know you can't just "get" them. You need to go to a Doctor and get an Rx and there is a lot involved. Some people I know of order them on the net from Mexico, I think but hormones are nothing to be taken lightly and can seriously affect your bodily systems, sometimes badly if not under a Doctor's care and monitoring.:happy: Ericka

[Christina Nicole]

You should absolutely have the advice of a physician. An endocrinologist would be best. At a minimum, you should be in good health and a non-smoker. Risk goes way up if you have certain health issues or if you smoke. Before starting HRT, blood work should be done and liver function should be tested. Periodic testing will also need to be performed, including liver testing. Try drugs.com to see what the various medications do and what the issues are. The site has information for both the consumer and medical professional.

That said, HRT should not be started lightly. Other than the secondary effects you expect, such as breast enlargement there are also emotional effects. High points in your life will feel really wonderful - better than ever. By the same token, low points will be awfully low -- which probably accounts for the number of suicides of in-transition TSs. Have someone who you can count on for support! Female hormones are a... very interesting experience.

Warm regards,
Christina Nicole

[Angie G]

Jennifer if you want to do this do it the right way and talk to you Doctor do it the safe way :hugs:
Angie

[Scotty]

Find a therapist in your area, online, and do a couple of sessions with them - Anne Lawrence does this as it's required before going on hormone therapy.
Then you can go to an MD and get the blood test to make sure your body can handle it.

I found that sublinqual application is softer on the bo dy though, also more potent.....

http://www.annelawrence.com/hormoneindex.html


You need to be sure about this, once you grow breasts there's no turning back, no more sh irtless days at the beach hanging out with the guys and swimming - those days are gone...

Second thing, that for me will be a show stopper, finding a girlfriend that doesn't mind breasts on you.....(UNless you are already married)....

Kinda scary thinking about what happens if I meet a girl now. After a year I have full A cups, it's just beyond what might be considered "man boobs"....so if I meet a gal and start liking her I'm going to have to approach that bridge as it comes I guess.

There are so many things to consider...

Then there's the medical supervision thing, don't go this alone, don't do it.

Then there's the weight gain, you will gain weight but I changed my diet and kept it to a minimum pooch, now that I'm weaned nearly off of them I'm trimmed back where I should be, minus the hips and breasts etc.......

[Scotty]

High points in your life will feel really wonderful - better than ever. By the same token, low points will be awfully low -- which probably accounts for the number of suicides of in-transition TSs. Have someone who you can count on for support! Female hormones are a... very interesting experience.

Warm regards,
Christina Nicole


Amen to that, the highlights this summer were the BEST ever, the low points in the fall (Vehicle wreck, death in family) were HARD.....

The emotional factor - wonderful if life is going well, but if life throws oranges at you you have to learn to make orange juice (While you cry).

You'll cry at movies a LOT more often too, trust me.....

[Joy Carter]

So what is this change in the brain I read about. What has been the affect on you gurls who take HRT ?

[Siobhan Marie]

Jennifer if you want to do this do it the right way and talk to you Doctor do it the safe way :hugs:
Angie

:iagree: with Angie, the only way do this is the right way and that is what I'm going to do when I'm ready.

:hugs: Anna Marie x

[Sharon]

should I or not????


Jennifer:confused:

Just this question alone leads me to think not. If you are dependent on the opinions of others, and if this physical change isn't absolutely necessary for your emotional wellbeing, then I think you should pull back, give this serious consideration, and, definitely, speak with an accredited gender therapist.

Hormones are not to be taken lightly and they do much more than give you boobs if that's what you're after. They are life-altering substances that begin the developmental change of your physical body to that more closely related to the opposite sex. The physical changes they incur are not always reversible, particularly after an extended period of using them, so if you have doubts, then don't do it.

[Kelsy]

Thanks for the advice. I think the operative word is considering. there are times when I just can't get girl enough!! And have always wondered about the "next steps" but as I can see by all the caring posts that this is a life changing and somewhat permanent decision. It is always best to seek the advice of the experienced girls on this forumn. Thanks again

Jennifer:hugs:

[AmberTG]

Here's a website to go to for good basic information on the whole issue of transition, including hormone therapy.
http://www.annelawrence.com/twr/

[ToyGirl]

So what is this change in the brain I read about. What has been the affect on you gurls who take HRT ?

Hi Joy ,

I was reading somewhere about autopsy's(wrong word im sure) on transsexuals revealed there brains where physically the same as genetic girls (they look different , larger and smaller sections). What they didnt know is if they were born this way or wether the hormones did it.

I would say i allways had a fairly adrogynous/feminine brain in the first place so maybe the changes were not so dramatic in me. That said .. I often look in the mirror and think i pretty much havnt changed. Then i see an old Photo of me and think ok i did look different . It's just hard to notice when you see yourself from day to day.

I think the same applies to the mind , i never woke up one day and started stirring coffee counter clockwise as opposed to clockwise or anything like that. I do cry ALOT more though , cry when im happy , cry when im sad and sometimes just cry for no reason at all. I do get urges to sell my car because it doesnt seem to make sense to me anymore (it's an ex police pursuit car, very much a boys toy) i've been thinking about something economical and easier to park. I also feel more attracted to boys.

Physically for me years ago i would see a glimpse of me in the mirror, or i'd take 100 photos and go through and delete 99 and but find one that looked like *me* , same with my voice id talk and try so much , then i remember just saying one word that sounded like *me* of course i could never get it to happen again , but now years later i can take 100 photos and 99 of them will look like *me* , and everytime i speak is just like that one word i got right years ago.

I just cant think of a progression like this that i can apply to my mind.

Sorry for the long and possibly pointless reply :p

[AmberTG]

From what I've read, HRT tends to cause emotional changes and a lot of MTF report a sense of "calmness" from the drop in testosterone and rise in estrogen, but I've also read that it's an emotional roller coster ride when you start because of the big changes. I personally have not been able to get my T level down enough to force the body to switch over to estrogen, and I'm not taking estrogen pills at this time, no sense wasting pills that my body will resist, besides the risks of taking estrogen in the first place. I get my spiro from offshore. I've been working up the dose slowly, so as to let the body get usrd to the drug, it's a strong diuretic, but it's safer than most other testosterone killers. I'd rather have a prescription for estrogen so it can be properly monitored, and also, so I can get it through the VA, I couldn't afford to buy it offshore, much less at a local place.

[michelle19845]

i am ready for the mental change more than anything.i have a lil bit of boob currently,if i had to stay with just that,i would.others ask me what i stuff i say nothing and they don't believe,but whatever.i am ready and at one when in femme mind.i can think clearer and i smile so much more,not to mention my anxiety goes down a lot too.