Did you like Estrogen more than you thought you would?

[Megan S]

I did like Estrogen more than I thought I would, but it took a while to get to where I felt that way. I would say the first few months there was a sense of euphoria, which was probably more placebo and knowing I had finally chosen the course I had always felt my life should be taking. This all changed into realizing how different I felt before (emotionally, socially, mentally, and sexually) taking hormones to where I was at several months later and how all these changed in such a positive way there was no turning back for me. It was for me like finally finding what you have been missing to make everything else fall into place and at once feel what it was like to really be me.

[kelly_aus]

Last year when taking estro and spiro, I became unable to function sexually after three days, at least like I normally did, so I know it effects us and it hits hard and fast. Visible feminization obviously takes longer, but I would say complete sexual shutdown is a major effect, especially so fast. I was astounded. So much so I stopped because of that and some other effects like a bad bad headache (prob dehydration from the spiro). But I went in kinda unsure about it all so maybe I shoulda waited. Now I'm much more sure and am going to take a lower starting dose of spiro and a slightly lower dose of estro.  I'm hoping for big changes but we'll see. I'm already pretty docile and non-aggressive so any calming effects would mainly be anxiety-related.

I still function sexually just fine - when I want too.. I have a zero T level.

[Tessa James]

What a wonderful contrast to hear from Megan S and our Kelly Rebel, et al about their experiences.  You are really reassuring for me, in that we have such varying responses to HRT.  I will likely start HRT in 1-2 weeks and feel so excited and yet a bit of anxiety about the great unknown.  Holding on tight and appreciating you sharing the journey.

[Carrie Liz]

Since we're talking about sexual function, with me it was kind of funny. In my first couple of weeks, my sex-drive just died, and I really didn't miss it, but then within the last couple of weeks suddenly orgasms started getting WAY more powerful, and suddenly my sex-drive came rocketing back, just in a completely different way than it ever was before. Before HRT, having a sex-drive honestly always felt like an annoyance to me, because it felt like a need, something that I had to satisfy or else I felt like crap, and it really resulted in a kind of constant roller-coaster ride of highs and lows. Where now, for the first time in my life, I actually have a sex-drive that I like, and enjoy, because it's completely based around me wanting to feel good rather than having an actual need for it. So although HRT did kill my "old" sex-drive, it gave me a completely new one that I actually enjoy even more, because it actually feels "right," instead of feeling like a foreign invader that constantly controls me like testosterone-fueled desire always did.

Anyway, just throwing in my 2 cents on the topic.

[Heather]

Since we're talking about sexual function, with me it was kind of funny. In my first couple of weeks, my sex-drive just died, and I really didn't miss it, but then within the last couple of weeks suddenly orgasms started getting WAY more powerful, and suddenly my sex-drive came rocketing back, just in a completely different way than it ever was before. Before HRT, having a sex-drive honestly always felt like an annoyance to me, because it felt like a need, something that I had to satisfy or else I felt like crap, and it really resulted in a kind of constant roller-coaster ride of highs and lows. Where now, for the first time in my life, I actually have a sex-drive that I like, and enjoy, because it's completely based around me wanting to feel good rather than having an actual need for it. So although HRT did kill my "old" sex-drive, it gave me a completely new one that I actually enjoy even more, because it actually feels "right," instead of feeling like a foreign invader that constantly controls me like testosterone-fueled desire always did.

Anyway, just throwing in my 2 cents on the topic.

I noticed this too! Now I feel in control of my sex drive instead of the other way around.

[Tessa James]

Since we're talking about sexual function, with me it was kind of funny. In my first couple of weeks, my sex-drive just died, and I really didn't miss it, but then within the last couple of weeks suddenly orgasms started getting WAY more powerful, and suddenly my sex-drive came rocketing back, just in a completely different way than it ever was before. Before HRT, having a sex-drive honestly always felt like an annoyance to me, because it felt like a need, something that I had to satisfy or else I felt like crap, and it really resulted in a kind of constant roller-coaster ride of highs and lows. Where now, for the first time in my life, I actually have a sex-drive that I like, and enjoy, because it's completely based around me wanting to feel good rather than having an actual need for it. So although HRT did kill my "old" sex-drive, it gave me a completely new one that I actually enjoy even more, because it actually feels "right," instead of feeling like a foreign invader that constantly controls me like testosterone-fueled desire always did.

Anyway, just throwing in my 2 cents on the topic.

OMG that sounds way too familiar--the before part.  I have always wanted to be able to turn off the T or at least have some mini switch I could flip to see what life would be like without the "annoyance."
The gonadal influence on my thinking and behavior has been a torment for me and others.  I was over the top concerned about wanting so much and yet feeling so unlovable as a male partner.  That thing about satisfying myself and my partner as "a man" just about killed me till I started transition and accepted myself as TG.  Now I feel some of those same positive changes even pre HRT.  This is amazing to feel so much more calm and as you say "right"  I do not miss being a horny boy one bit.  It felt embarrassing to once be kicked out of bed by a gay man as "too shy or femme."  The world seems to be much more understandable to me now.

[Jeepgirl90]

I will have to say that I am happy with the results, and some nexpected side affects, since I started HRT, I feel just better, while I still do have depression, it lessened, and I'm able to smile a little more, just for starters

-Christina

[jfong]

For the ladies over here..
Did you found that your hands and feet gets cold easier after you started on E compared to before?

[Jeepgirl90]

For the ladies over here..
Did you found that your hands and feet gets cold easier after you started on E compared to before?

I noticed my feet get colder faster than they used to, I have Raynaud's Disease that affects my hands so they always gotten cold extremely fast. However I also noticed this winter I don't seem to handle cold in general as well as I used to be able too...

[Carrie Liz]

For the ladies over here..
Did you found that your hands and feet gets cold easier after you started on E compared to before?

Yep. And this was quite a shock to me, because I NEVER used to get cold, even in the chilliest of temperatures. But after starting HRT, suddenly it felt like my internal thermostat just absolutely shut off. I used to be able to go outside in just a pair of shorts and a t-shirt to do some quick 1-minute task outside, even if it was snowing, and it didn't really bother me. Where now I don't even think about leaving the house without a coat. As soon as I hit that cold air, I start shivering like crazy, and it's like the cold just goes straight through me. And while I used to always be sweating in my work uniform, now I actually feel cold sometimes when the air is on too high, and almost never sweaty like I used to be. So yeah, my internal thermostat pretty much completely changed. I'm cold all the time now.

(Which I actually love... being cold is much better than constantly being hot, IMO. I can always dress in more layers if I'm cold, but there reaches a certain point when it's too hot where you can't take anything else off, and yet you're still too hot. That feeling just plain sucks.)

[jfong]

Which I actually love... being cold is much better than constantly being hot, IMO. I can always dress in more layers if I'm cold, but there reaches a certain point when it's too hot where you can't take anything else off, and yet you're still too hot. That feeling just plain sucks.

Totaly agree with you on this. Being from tropical country, I've had enough with the feeling of being too hot.

[KayCeeDee]

So that's why it feels so cold now! I couldn't figure out what it was, because the thermostat says the same temperature I used to be comfortable at!

[Shantel]

I'm addicted! After 18 years on HRT I find that when I use a tiny amount of T cream to bump up my libido that my body converts roughly half of that to estrogen. This according to the endocrinologist deciphering the results of a recent blood draw and lab work.