if one could summ the fundamental point of HRT, what would it be?

[Achila]

Besides secondary physical characteristics HRT causes sort of a disruption in one's identity continuum! You know "I think; therefore, I exist.." does not apply after HRT.  Hrt changes your thinking and your existance
Being a bit trivial now, I dream of being perceived as a female, so basicaly HRT would recontour my body in the process and put me in the righ category: female hormonaly, visually, MENTALLY. Although I am into men I am not gay. As in any dysphoria I cannot see myself -in any capacity- involved in the gay world because I do not fit in the rites of male-male relationships. I try these roles on the DL but the act drives me crazy because they reject the women in me.
Any thoughts??

[Kelly-087]

For me?

I pursue it because it will fit me into the right mind and body. I know that it will simply unleash an untapped potential. I don't believe at all that it changes us mentally, but makes it more possible for us to be there.

[Alainaluvsu]

Handling things a way a girl would handle them (emotionally, nurturingly) is important in HRT, I think. I have really changed in how I handle things, both internally (how I control myself... or don't....) and externally (how I control a situation).

[Jamie D]

Cogito ergo sum

[mementomori]

if it could be guranteed id never have any male hair loss , which i might not becuase as far as i know noone in my family has . i probably wouldnt ever go on it . i just feel at 25 it wouldnt give me what i want it would give me boobs but im not fussed on breasts at all actually i really like being as flat chested as posible . what i would love is the skeletal structure of a female , hips and narrow shoulders etc , basicly the figure of a runway model , tall narrow shouldered and flat chested . but hrt wouldnt do that for me . it would make my skin softer though and it might almost be worth it for that plus it would allow me to cry more becuase i often get that feeling where i want to cry but its physically blocked , i know thats the fault of the dreased T hormones  

i know that all sounds confusing but im not binary , i just dont see myself as male or female and although i would be much more comfortable looking as feminine as possible physically , it wouldnt change that fact that im not binary and dont percieve myself as being 100 percent aligned with either sex ( although i do admit im further over to the female side )

[Rabbit]

HRT has definitely shifted me both mentally and physically more towards female.

It has granted me attributes which I would never have been able to have before (and they all seem like positives to me... even when I get bitchy or my emotions swings and I'm down).

In addition to all the things hormones physically do... it has also been a key reason for my becoming more comfortable exploring the "female world'.

I guess in some way being on hormones made it seem like I had "earned the right" to do anything feminine I wanted. So, I slowly taught myself the other areas that females express themselves (nails, hair, makeup, jewelry, clothing.. even socializing). Looking back, I could have done many feminine things years ago (but, I was still very much trying to be the best man I could).

The only problem is that when I considered identifying completely as female (as I was achieving in presentation) it always would leave me in a situation where I would hate my male attributes (chin, nose, body...all the tiny flaws I have that are results from developing as a man).

So, instead, I reverted back to considering myself male (even with the wonderful effects of hrt and my feminine presentation that I learnt along the way). This way, I found I could accept my male aspects as simply to be expected ... and all of my feminine aspects became even more wonderful to exist in a male.

The entire experience of hormones and transition (along with "coming out" during various points) has basically given me more than just looking pretty. It has let me come to a point where I can appreciate and explore both the male and female in myself with a complete freedom. Male clothes, female clothes, makeup or not... even my voice can be either male or female if I want depending on my mood.

So, for me... hormones were more than just the actual effects of hormones (which are great)... it also granted me a legitimacy in finding myself that I hadn't had before (partially from my own perception, but also through my evolving looks to a softer feminine appearance).

[mementomori]

plus i actually love androgyny , when someone looks very feminine but you can still tell they are male , i.e adrej pejic , pete burns , izzy hilton etc

[pretty]

Well, it can be a placebo for some things 

HRT may change your emotional state but it does not change your brain. Any personality changes are changes that you made yourself. 

[JennX]

Just another step along the path for me. I personally feel too many MTFs put far too much stock in HRT. It's not a magic pill. It won't turn you in to a Victoria's Secret super model overnight... or even over a period of years for that matter. If you had issues or trouble before with "passing", going out, or dealing with people on a daily basis, those issues will more than likely still be present after HRT.

I was full time 24/7 before HRT, and continue to be. HRT really hasn't changed me much (mentally/physically) after 2 years... so  YMMV.

[lecoeurdegrey]

Just another step along the path for me. I personally feel too many MTFs put far too much stock in HRT. It's not a magic pill. It won't turn you in to a Victoria's Secret super model overnight... or even over a period of years for that matter. If you had issues or trouble before with "passing", going out, or dealing with people on a daily basis, those issues will more than likely still be present after HRT.

I was full time 24/7 before HRT, and continue to be. HRT really hasn't changed me much (mentally/physically) after 2 years... so  YMMV.

+1. Also, HRT won't transform your face that drastically honestly. It will soften your cheeks but won't do anything for your forehead, chin, and adams apple.

[Kelly-087]

I don't understand why people say it won't change much?

When In general, I see photos that change everything. 

[Kelly-087]

Oh, I know it's not a magic pill. And I realize result will vary. But, generally I seem to see very big changes. But, maybe the only people posting photos are the ones who see the big changes lol.

[peky]

I was a female before E, and I am still  a female after E. What the magic pill has done for me, the fundamental point, has been to remove the anger and pain of being in prison, it has liberated me; I am me, full of peace and joy.

[Alainaluvsu]

Oh, I know it's not a magic pill. And I realize result will vary. But, generally I seem to see very big changes. But, maybe the only people posting photos are the ones who see the big changes lol.

Yeah... more than likely.

It works. If it doesn't, then to those that say it doesn't... why do you risk your health and waste your money on it?

[lecoeurdegrey]

Yeah... more than likely.

It works. If it doesn't, then to those that say it doesn't... why do you risk your health and waste your money on it?

well, speaking for myself, I was passable pre-hrt so hormones are for me a more mental and emotional discovery. So any physical changes that come from hrt are a plus and not expected (besides boobs)

[Beth Andrea]

What I found was that HRT reinforces those parts of "me" that are female.  Prior to HRT, I was (briefly) on androderm (a testosterone patch) and found that my "female" half almost disappeared completely. In addition, I had incredible anxiety and depression because of increasing T levels.

Once I got on E (and spiro), my "male" parts greatly weakened (to the point they barely exist now...and yes, that also refers to my physical male parts ), and most of my anxiety and depression are gone, and I am myself, FINALLY.

[Jeneva]

'Cause it's hard not to generalize from personal experience. But it's true: HRT isn't a magic pill. It's more like magic... dice. Best of luck and all.

Oh, I know it's not a magic pill. And I realize result will vary. But, generally I seem to see very big changes. But, maybe the only people posting photos are the ones who see the big changes lol.

It works. If it doesn't, then to those that say it doesn't... why do you risk your health and waste your money on it?

Perhaps the dice are weighted?  There are a few women who aren't strongly affected by it unfortunately.

But what are the changes that people see?  How much of the changes are from HRT directly and how much are from the relief that one has taken a step toward their goal and their mind is receiving the hormones it needs.

In other words HRT may help facially, but also realize that a person on HRT is likely happier than they have been in a long time.  Smiles are beautiful things.  To have what you need and not feel trapped is that not a powerful cure all of its own.

What the magic pill has done for me, the fundamental point, has been to remove the anger and pain of being in prison, it has liberated me; I am me, full of peace and joy.

For me? Sanity. Testosterone kind of mucks up my emotional stability - mostly by making me really, really depressed.

Is not a happy face prettier than a sad or angry one?

How much of the "magic" is not in the medical effects, but in the mental clarity and focused will.

[Alainaluvsu]

Yeah... more than likely.

It works. If it doesn't, then to those that say it doesn't... why do you risk your health and waste your money on it?

When I said this, I was referring to ANY effects of estrogen. It was mentioned that it wouldn't change anything mentally or physically.

[Jeneva]

When I said this, I was referring to ANY effects of estrogen. It was mentioned that it wouldn't change anything mentally or physically.

Even if it didn't change anything directly (which I do not believe myself), remember that the mind itself is powerful.  Can you not MAKE yourself happier because you feel closer to your goal?  Sometimes even a placebo will "cure" a problem as long as the taker believes.

Just again to make sure, I am in no way saying that E is a placebo.  I'm just saying that even if it were, then we could see some people have DRASTIC mental changes.

I do think that for SOME people it is not as effective, but in the event of an apocalypse I'm knocking over a few drug stores

[Rabbit]

Just again to make sure, I am in no way saying that E is a placebo.  I'm just saying that even if it were, then we could see some people have DRASTIC mental changes.

It isn't uncommon to see people making posts about drastic mental changes after even simply finally deciding to transition and starting to seek out hormones.