Started Hormones this Week... Wonder 'Bout Coworkers

[loriannetucson]

So I did it. I saw the endocrinologist and he prescribed HRT for me.
I was ecstatic about it, and I have been on a low dose to start (4 mg
Estradiol and 100 mg Spironolactone a day). He said he wanted to
start me off low because estrogen can really wreak havoc on the body
if you start off too quickly. I'm okay with that, and he said he'll
most likely bump me up higher in 8 weeks when I see him again.
Already I'm a little more steady with my emotions, in particular my
anger and aggressiveness.

I am wondering how long it will take with me on the 'mones before my
coworkers start to notice. Yeah, it was surprising it took them a
while to notice my women's jeans and make fun of me for it. In fact,
on Friday someone asked me, "Hey, how come you wear those John
Travolta jeans?" I laughed and told him that I like my skinny jeans.
In fact, all my other jeans are too big for me (which is true). I
have lost 22 pounds in about 4 months. Depression can do that to you.

For those of you who began HRT, how long did it take you all before
you started getting noticed, either at work or elsewhere? I'm told
that people notice subtle changes, that they can't pin it on anything
but they do notice SOMETHING'S changed.

The wife approved of me with the hormones, which was a blessing. She
has read up on it and thought to herself that this is something I need
being transgendered. She has really come around and just wants to
get over this challenge and move forward with our lives...together.
We'll see how she deals with it when my body starts changing. I'm
told it's a wake up call for the SOs.


God bless, and keep safe out there in this mad mad mad world.
Blessings,
Lori Anne
http://360.yahoo.com/loriannetucson
http://www.myspace.com/157392352

[AmberTG]

I wish you luck with your SO when the changes start to become noticable. With any good luck, she will be facinated by the changes and stick around long enough that you two will be able to work through the various issues and come out happy.
I can't tell you how long it will be before the changes become noticable, it could be weeks, it could be months. It depends on your body's reaction to the estrogen. I've been on 2mg Estrofem for 2 weeks and 100mg Spiro for about 4 months now and my nipples have been sensitive for a good week, but no other changes that I know of.

[Katie Ashe]

Most of the changes will not be noticed unless you advertise. Don't worry about co-workers, after all it is none of there business, and your not obligated to tell anyone but your boss and HR. I have worked for 2 years crossdressed at work, they will get used to the idea, but most still woun't respect you. All the same your happy at the end of the day :thumbsup:

[Stephenie S]

It's common knowlege at work that I am "exploring my feminine side". Some think I am insane, some think I am imoral, and some are truely interested and suportive. But most just don't care. I think this is what you will find where ever you work, to a greater or lesser degree. They notice some changes, but please don't expect drastic change from HRT. Hormones wil not change you into a woman. It just don't happen that way. You will get some minor breast growth, some softening of the skin, some minor fat redistribution, some emotional differences. The BIG changes must come from within. Your presentation. What you yourself believe inside. Will they notice those? Oh, you betcha! It's a fun roller coaster ride. Hang on.

Lovies,
Steph

[Sharon]

The physical changes will take some time to be noticeable, so there should be no undo concern about having to explain yourself before you are ready to do so. You certainly won't be visually different within the first two months. It may be more difficult to explain the unpredictable hot flashes and mood swings, however. :happy:

Good luck and, please, keep us up to date on how you are doing!

[claireswife-gg]

Well, my Claire has been on hormones for about 4 months. Let me see if I can describe what I've observed as a bystander. FYI - she's on the combipatch and 100 mg of spiro.

Moods. Well, hormones have changed her day to day life from just little sparks of fun buried in a black pit of depression to a balanced, calm, logical, warm and maternal. When she first started, I think it was about 6 weeks in, she had a big mood swing. We were cleaning the house and I was bouncing from area to area annoying the hell out of her and she went OFF. Well, I ran into the kitchen and started doing dishes trying not to bust out laughing. She's ranting and fussing and fuming, and I'm biting my tongue so I won't lose it. After about 10 minutes of this she comes in the kitchen looking like i beat her puppy dog and said she was sorry. I lost it laughing. Told her it was okay, I had been waiting for it. We had a giggle about it and she was fine since then. The only other thing I have noted is that she's much less likely to let people steamroll over her at work. She's happy, fun, but also very self-assertive now. Coming from her world of self-loathing, all I've seen in her so far are good changes.

Physical. Okay, the face. Big changes in the face. Gradually the fat has moved around her face has rounded out a bit, slimmed down at the same time if that makes sense. She's slowly been changing glasses, eyebrows, etc. So far, people that see her daily haven't twigged to it yet. BUT, the other day at the chiropractor's office, one of the ladies there asked what "he" had done with his hair, something was different... and kept staring intently trying to figure out what it was. We hadn't been there in about 6 weeks. I look at her and I see female :) (see picture here - http://crossdressers.com/forums/showthread.php?p=765008&posted=1#post765008) Breast growth has been about 1/2 an A cup so far. Definately female anatomy .

As an SO, I have to say I don't have any hangups about being married to a woman. So I may be a bit different. I believe it's the soul you fall in love with and the exterior is just gift-wrap. I also don't give a damn what people think about me. So, I find things funny that others might not.

I hope your SO can find a way to live with it. The way I look at it, life is short and it should be an adventure, or why bother? Who wants decades of boredom and rat race? So, a sweet, devoted soulmate and a wild roller-coaster ride, hey, I have it GOOD :heehee:

Caitlyn

[joanlynn28]

Believe me one thing for sure is that you coworkers will notice sooner or later. Mine have, I thought that I was being rather secretive about the whole thing but I have pushed the boundaries, gone past them in a few areas. Hard to hide the long hair, the lack of beard growth, the plucked eyebrows. And the makeup is a dead giveaway, most everyone that does know about my transition could care less about it. But I do suggest that you do inform your supervisor and HR department to protect yourself from the ones that don't approve of the new you. In my situation I have made a few enemies now at work, certain people that used to talk to me no longer do. And prepare yourself for the mood swings because they are going to happen. Just two weeks ago I went and snapped at my team leader and had my supervisor talk to me about it the next day. At least today I finally went ahead and told my supervisor what is exactly going on with me, even showed him my driver's license to prove to him that I am serious about my transition. This came about because someone mentioned that they had a problem with the way I was dressed at work on Saturday. All I wore was my Wrangler jeans with my lacer boots and a long sleeve top, though I may have had a little midriff showing not intentionally. And I did mention to him about a comment someone made to me last Friday, he told me he would look into it and have a word with that person. I mean half of my coworkers know about me transitioning because I have told them about it and the other half that don't know do suspect that I am. The best advice I could give you is just be honest if anyone questions you about it, you will be susprised how understanding some of them will be, but there is also going to be the total jerk that you will run into also, just some of the things us transwomen have to deal with. BTW I am on 2.5mg of Premarin a day and 200mg of Spironolactone a day. But I am fortunate that my employer does have an inclusion policy my union coworkers need to be educated about it.:2c:

[loriannetucson]

Joan, Amber, Katie, Steph, Sharon, and Claire'sWife, thanks for your input and support.

And before I forget, I'm 35 years old, I am 5ft 11 1/2 inches tall, wear a size 12 ladies shoes, and am a size 13 to 14 in junior's jeans and skirts. I live in Arizona with my wife and 2 children, a 3 yr old daughter and 7 yr old son. I am not out at work, although reading below, you'll see that people are on to me...

I really am wondering what my coworkers will see. I have a feeling they will notice something due to the nature of my job. We are trained to notice subtle differences in people's behaviors. I think I'm ready for it. Even now I get ribbed at work for wearing women's jeans, but I give them crap right back and we all seem to still get along.

As for my wife, I sure hope she will begin to see that the changes in me will make me a better well mannered and caring person. Already after one week I feel a peace, a greater sense of calm, but I don't know if it's psychosomatic. I think it's already working on me because just two weeks ago I was bawling and wallowing in depression every night. I haven't cried like that in a few days, but I do expect mood swings to happen because of people's posts telling me so, and I've already told my wife to expect them. I want her to eventually accept me as a woman, and I hope she can get over her fears of being seen or feeling like a lesbian. I want her to see that I've never changed, and that the qualities she found in me were all related to the woman I've always wanted to become. I want the best for her, and I hope that my femininity can help bring out the best in her as well.

God bless,
Lori Anne
http://360.yahoo.com/loriannetucson
http://www.myspace.com/157392352