HRT and Atraction

[DianaGomez]

Hi girls, a quick question. I am wondering. If I start HRT / estrogen etc, (obviously under a Doctors direction etc etc, I quite agree!!!) is there any chance my sexual orientation can change somewhat? I'm more or less straight, maybe at some times curious but never gone through with anything. So what I am wondering is, if I start the hormones, will I start desiring guys? Thanks and hope this is appropriate. If not, admin please delete.

[AmberTG]

I don't really think that sexual attraction changes much after you start HRT. It might make it easier to think about attractions that you've been supressing, but if you never thought about guys in the past, you probably won't in the future either.

[Vaerise]

I think Amber said it the best. I was fairly ambiguous in sexual orientation, had sexual encounters with females but only fantasized about having it with males, after HRT was introduced all sexual desire seems to have disappeared. A noticeable difference is that sex cannot be initiated with females but found no trouble initiating sex or attempting it with a male.
Your mileage may vary, but for most cases sexual orientation do not change. If your strictly straight, you will remain interested in females.

[Sally24]

From my limited reading on the subject it does have some affect on orientation and desire. Maybe 25% who identified as heterosexual before will change so that they are heterosexual for their new gender. A number will not have much of a sex drive afterwards, and most will not change their orientation. Tried to find some quick citations but couldn't find any statistics.

[GypsyKaren]

Everyone is different in how they're effected by hormones, but it is a possibility for sure. A lot more can change than you might think, so you really have to know what you're wanting out of it and be prepared to deal with it.

Karen Starlene

[DianaGomez]

Everyone is different in how they're effected by hormones, but it is a possibility for sure. A lot more can change than you might think, so you really have to know what you're wanting out of it and be prepared to deal with it.
Thanks to all that have answered, and yes Karen, this has been one of my doubts. I want to but am scared about some of the possible consequences. Anyway....!!!

[MJ]

i have to say over time my interest in sex is very much reduced and in regards to start desiring guys... it never happened but i am understandably curious .. but we all are different , so you will find out when you start hormones

[Sharon]

It absolutely can change, but not necessarily.

[CaptLex]

It absolutely can change, but not necessarily.
I've heard this, of course, and wondered about it for a long time, but I'm curious (if anyone knows, or thinks they may know) about the reason(s) why. I have a feeling it's not necessarily hormonal, but may be due to other stuff, like: societal conditioning, feelings of wanting to be close to/affectionate with someone (rather than strictly sexual attraction), or the desire to take a different role sexually. Just asking . . . :idontknow:

[Lisa Golightly]

I noticed a shift in what smells I found... not attractive... but... how can I put it... noticeable. I'd never noticed male deoderants before.

[Sharon]

There are three ways I attempt to explain it to people, and I'm not sure if any of them are correct:

1 -- There is a "heterosexual" switch lodged in my brain that is stuck on the "on" position. As I change from a male body to a female one, that darn switch refuses to adjust and I remain heterosexual no matter what;

2 -- and most likely -- As I have finally been able to admit, primarily to myself, that I am truly female and not as I appear, that I have also lost the sexual identification inhibitions also. In short, I was always attracted to men, but unwilling to acknowledge it;

3 -- I just want the parts to fit together when it comes to having sex -- male to female.

This change in sexual ID actually began to be apparent to me before I began hormone treatments, but after I had accepted myself as being who and what I am.

[Scotty]

I think the brain is sorta pre-wired as to what you like, being on HRT, as Lisa puts it, is where you NOTICE the other side...or details.
I wore a lot of femme deodorants, my smell has increased how many fold - and I notice more fragrant things - including body musk...( and odor)....

I'd say I had these fantasies since I was 14 though, specifically can remember having a c rush on a guy once but that was supposed to be taboo...

Still, if I met the right guy that treated me as I want to be treated I just might...no, I would for sure...but I think having been on HRT opened my mind up to realize that I am who I am..

It's not a magic pill that will turn you into a female and then make you suddenly start wanting guys.....it's an experience, if you are in denial about liking guys it might bring you out of denial. If you never did and deep down never WOULD like to be with a guy - don't look to that changing.

You might find more compassion for people though (Not saying you don't already have compassion, you WILL have more)....

I should write a book about this......hmmmmm

[crunchysoda]

I was reading a story of a transman that before his T and transition he dated females. AFTER his transition and post-op he now only dates men and has lil to no attraction to females.

[CaptLex]

I was reading a story of a transman that before his T and transition he dated females. AFTER his transition and post-op he now only dates men and has lil to no attraction to females.
Yeah, it happens (on both sides of the fence), the question is . . . why? I'm sure there are several reasons (thanks for your input, Sharon). It's really a fascinating question to me. :hmmm:

[Cai]

I'm wondering if it has more to do with being more comfortable with yourself than the hormones. I know that I considered myself 100% into men, and men only, for a long time. Not that I had a problem with the idea of being attracted to women, I'd just never had any interest in it.

But now, as I've become a lot more comfortable with the idea of being "abnormal" sexually, no matter who I'm attracted to, I've realized I'm probably closer to pansexual with a strong male bent. Maybe it's because I'm surrounded by women all the time, and maybe because there is a large lesbian and butch population here, but I've come across several women that just made my jaw drop.

I'm not on T, so my experiences don't have anything to do with hormones. But maybe once I'm out of the single-gendered environment that I'm in now, my orientation will shift back. Who knows.

[Scotty]

Like I mentioned I think the brain is normally hard wired for sexuality based on one's own sex (I just added that).

When you see yourself as a woman, men are the attraction. Why? Dunno.

I see myself as both....and I do find men attractive...I have not taken that step but if it came along I likely would and would experience both sides....
Label it "Bi", whatever, I feel like both a male and a female, female stronger in my own privacy (and mind).....

Seems natural if you are born mentally as a female you would be attracted to men, and once the mind is convinced you are 100% female (Srs, or like me femmed body) - then it would make sense.

Just my thoughts!! Taking the pill won't make you run out and sleep with a guy though....unless you are pre-wired to do that!

[penni]

Hi ya Ladies,

Ones brain is either hard wired for hetro,bi,lesbian etc,etc.
You may portray yourself as a real macho man,however you are attracted to a fem looking gay male etc.

Most of the TS's I know who were attracted to males when male are still attracted to males..so they have gone from being gay ,having the surgery,still being attracted to males,however in society they will present as a hetro couple.

I have afriend who is lesbian and her partner is going through transition f2m,so now they too will present as a hetro couple.Her partner who was a lesbian is still attracted to female.

For me I am a hetro woman..my partner is going through transition..I am with her and when I kiss herI still feel as though I am kissing the love of my life,who has now become an even stronger friend.Though we are not sexually active the public will see us as Lesbians.

The Brain is extremely complex.

Hugs Penny

[DianaGomez]

The Brain is extremely complex
Now you've got that right!!!

[CaptLex]

Hi ya Ladies,
And gents, please . . .


Ones brain is either hard wired for hetro,bi,lesbian etc,etc.
I don't know about that. If that's the case, then why do some transmen and transwomen (though I don't know the percentage) change from being attracted to males or females to the opposite or to both (which is what we're discussing here)?


The Brain is extremely complex.
No argument there.

[penni]

Hi ya all,

My Spouse tells me she is asexual now..but I feel that this is because currently all the hormones required for transition have altered her hormones within and teste shrinkage etc.

We have spoken at great length about sexuality and who she would be attracted to ..she is still saying women.
I say..wait till you have had the surgery,you may want to explore that avenue,and find out what it is like to have intercourse with a guy.

Most of our friends who are Transsexual M2F still prefer women.
I wonder if amongst our layers of sexual attraction,more of us are actually bisexual.

Hugs Penny

[AmandaM]

I would think it is more like a flower opening. You become female, and the entire female identity comes to the surface. You're not suppressing the urge for guys when you weren't transitioning, it was just buried inside the female persona which was in "hibernation".

[KrazyKat]

Most of our friends who are Transsexual M2F still prefer women.
I wonder if amongst our layers of sexual attraction,more of us are actually bisexual.

Hugs Penny

Penny, I have been thinking this is true for awhile myself. I also think that sometimes the transitioning is stressful, and many find it more comforting to "Love the one your with" to quote an old song. Seeing as how finances can be a mess also, this makes sense in so many ways.

[anlashokna]

You speak of consequences - which makes it sound negative (IMO).

From all I've read and all I've witnessed, having been a member of a few pro-trans groups, gender can be fluid.

And there isn't a darn thing wrong with it (again, IMO).

The possibility exists that you might want to 'try out' men, just for the validation that you are a woman.

[Cara Allen]

What an interesting thread...

I think that everyone has a certain location along a continuum when they are born. However, that position can and is shifted to conform to social norms. That is, lets say that you're 60/40 hetrosexual, but you grew up in a very rigid background, socially. You will believe that you are hetrosexual, and would stay that way. Your societal condition has shifted your natural preclusion for that portion of you that is attracted to the opposite sex. However, if you were also transsexual, and you begin hormonal treatments, you either shift your societal influence, or the hormones will shift it for you to a degree.

I think that hormones have such a wide reaching impact on your emotions, your body, your thoughts, that your position on that continuum will and does shift.

If you were 90/10 straight, it is not likely that hormones will affect your disposition. Others closer to the center will change their attitude due to hormonal and societal influences.

There I go, thinking again.

[Angie G]

I think your safe hun :hugs
Angie

[AmberTG]

It's OK Cara, you're allowed to think here.:D Your thoughts on this issue seem to make sense to me.

[Vivian Best]

I always considered myself 100% straight hetero until...., until the point that I accepted myself as to what I am and allowed other thoughts to emerge. That 100% has shifted with my acceptance! I'm not on HRT and not likely to be because of other things in life but now I allow the thought of being with a male to enter my mind. Will it happen, probably not, but it's there!