As a crossdresser who has been on hormones for over 25 years, here is some real data.
First off, I already had a hormone imbalance when I started, (with a doctor), to try to balance my system. I started in the late 70's on some "test drugs" and actually found one that worked--unfortunately, when the test was over, it was a "failure." So you start over again trying to find the proper formula.
End result, my body responded extremely well, and I wound up with a "C" cup within a year. What other said it true---you have to "hide" most of the time in guy clothes and can never be naked.
My wife did not like it, so I have a mastectomy, and got back to normal.
This produced a considerable amount of emotional and mental pain, so eventually, I went back to trying to balance my system.
Found another drug that worked, has few side effects and all was well. Believe it or not, a hurricane leveled the only plant that made the coated pill, and since the patent had long sense expired, the pharmacitual company did not rebuild it.
Starting "testing" other drugs and while I found one that worked, but eventually reduced my sex drive to zero.
Thirty years later, my sex drive an performance is still zero. So realize when you embark on this journey, you may well wind up impotent.
The Hormones do make my feeling, emotions and body feel more balanced--but sex is the cost---
Advise,--- don't do anything without a doctor---there are way too many risk and there are plenty of doctors who can, and will help you.
Once you feel the difference the hormones make, it is very difficult to give them up---while not addictive in the normal sense, you will have a hard time stopping. Softer skin, breast development, rounder hips, better hair growth, etc.
It's a big committment, and I agee with the person that said no CD should take hormones---it will change you and you will move more towards a transgendered person.