MTF 22 up starting HRT...any advice or help?

[Jesssprincesss]

Hi 

So I'm a 22 yo MTF transgender and was wondering if anybody had any advice or stories they want to share?

My endo started me on of estradiol and  of spironolactone. I barely started on Friday but have already started noticed some changes emotionally and I'm pretty sure physically but I'm not sure if that's possible? I've become really emotional lately like I'm really happy person and I'm at one of the happiest times of my life but I cry over like anything and everything but I never know why I'm crying cuz sometimes I'm not even sad does this happen to anybody else?

Also I'm a really really skinny person and have always been that way but my breast have become flabby and my areoles (lol) have become puffier idk it seems way too early for me but I've always had really low body fat so not sure where this is coming from.

Lastly, I'm kinda insecure that I started so late I know some ppl start at 17 when they're barely hitting puberty and get the best results and are usually the most passable. Did anyone start around my age and what were your results? Also, how long did it take you to start changing?

Thanks so much for any and all your help

[Jessica Merriman]

Hi baby girl! It is never too late. I started HRT at 47 years old and have never felt better. I feel so good I totally skipped part time and went full time yesterday. The biggest advice I can give you is take care of your body. This means diet, exercise and regular check ups with your medical providers. I don't have to mention the emotional changes as it looks like you have found out about those yourself. *giggle* It is a trip alright. Make sure you drink a LOT of water and limit the amount of caffeine or you will get muscle issue's. Watch the coffee, tea and soda's as they are potent diuretics and will dehydrate you. If you are lean and want bigger breast's you might consider gently elevating your daily calorie count. That will be something you will have to experiment with a little. The last thing is about passing. Confidence will be a major player in whether or not you pass. The worst thing you can do is constantly worry about it. When I stopped thinking about every little movement, the next step walking and mannerism's, the inner girl came out and took over. Look at people trying to pass. You can tell they are worried, jumpy and jittery instead of flowing like a woman. Relax, breathe and just be who you are, OK? Good luck sister! 

[V M]

Hi Jessprincess 

Welcome to Susan's     Glad to Have you here

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Hugs

V M

[suzifrommd]

I had breast changes and female orgasms during my first week on low dose E, so you can see changes pretty quickly.

Welcome to Susan's. This is a special place.

[AubreyN7]

Hi Ellie! My advice would be to be patient. These wonderful changes take time, but they will happen. Rome wasn't built in a day. Also, something I wished I'd done when I first started HRT is to make a transition diary, keeping track of my weight, measurements, feelings, etc. I agree wholeheartedly with Jessica that it's never too late. The effects diminish somewhat the farther away from puberty you are when you start HRT, but you are still very young, so I wouldn't worry about that. Anyway, congratulations on starting your journey!

[Joanna Dark]

You can start at 17 and never pass as well as a 31 year old who started. Its not age. It's genetics. There was just a girl here the other day that super young and had no changes after a year. I'm 30 and passed and had C cups and got a BF by the three month mark. It's all genetics; Age is good. But just becuase you start at 222 doesnt mean you will have bette results then a 30 yea old who has way more E receptors. It's all luck.

BTW, at17, you're done puberty. Not starting. I do not know where this info comes from. Puberty starts at 12 unless you are hypogonadic. Bone growth is prolly done by 17. Almost always. I know this younger gen, which is like 10 years below me, somehow convincs themselves of things that are not true but really i have no idea where this puberty thing came from when it is evident that 18 year old males are 100 percent masculine in most cases.

Case in point I saw three high schoolers on the El the other day and all had beards or were trying and kinda succeeding and they all had 10 times more facial hair than me at 31. Genetics. Genetics. Genetics. And if ya ddont have the genes, get the money.

[AMDERS]

You can start at 17 and never pass as well as a 31 year old who started. Its not age. It's genetics. There was just a girl here the other day that super young and had no changes after a year. I'm 30 and passed and had C cups and got a BF by the three month mark. It's all genetics; Age is good. But just becuase you start at 222 doesnt mean you will have bette results then a 30 yea old who has way more E receptors. It's all luck.

BTW, at17, you're done puberty. Not starting. I do not know where this info comes from. Puberty starts at 12 unless you are hypogonadic. Bone growth is prolly done by 17. Almost always. I know this younger gen, which is like 10 years below me, somehow convincs themselves of things that are not true but really i have no idea where this puberty thing came from when it is evident that 18 year old males are 100 percent masculine in most cases.

Case in point I saw three high schoolers on the El the other day and all had beards or were trying and kinda succeeding and they all had 10 times more facial hair than me at 31. Genetics. Genetics. Genetics. And if ya ddont have the genes, get the money.

Well that was brutal. Yes, genetics play a huge role in the effect of HRT, but age can also play a role. While not applicable to all, the younger one is, the less masculine they are. This varies from person to person. Those teens that you mentioned would look even more masculine at 40 years old. Age does matter, but not the same for everyone. If you can start HRT before you have a full beard, it doesn't mean you will pass better in the end, but that you'll save a sh*t ton of money on electrolysis. Masculinization happens over most of the lifetime of men, else a twenty year old would look just as manly as a 35 year old, which of course can happen, but isn't the norm.
       What I am trying to say is that the rule of thumb is the younger, the easier a transition would probably be. But, there are some who break the mold. I am not saying that a group of 17 year old transitioners will always look better than a group of thirty year old transitioners, but that if a single person were to transition at the age of 17, they would, in most cases, achieve better results than if they were to transition at an older age. It is on a per person basis, but it is the rule of thumb. This, of course, doesn't factor in potential surgeries and such that one could have, solely the effects of HRT.

[Ltl89]

As everyone else has said, it varies from person to person.  With that said, age can be a factor.  I've heard from numerous sources that youth can be a positive thing for hrt.  That's not to say those that started older can't expect positive results, but hrt does seem to work well for those who are young.  Yes, it's better to start prior to 17, but that doesn't mean that it's hopeless.  Then again, there are no guarantees and hrt has limitations, so no one can really tell you how you'll turn out.

I started at 24 in June of 2013 (e in June and spiro in july).  So far I've seen really big changes, but it took some time and a few dose icreases.  Starting around month 6, that's when I really started seeing the big changes.  Before that, there were improvements but they were smaller and enhanced by changes like hair styling and brow shaping.  I went from being afraid about never passing to feeling very confident about passing.  Nowadays I no longer fear that will be an issue when I reach the right moment.  Honestly, hormones were a life saver for me, so I wouldn't give up hope just because you're a little older than you wish.  I know what it's ike to be afraid that you started to late because I originaly planned on transitioning when I was 19.  Don't worry.  If it's the right thing to go on hrt, it won't matter when you start.  What matters is that you are finally doing what's best for you.   Just make sure to take before and after pictures, so you can measure your progress and see the changes.

In any case, I can't make any guarantees for you and no one can say how you'll turnout, but I did want to share the experiences of someone two years your senior to show you that age isn't necessarily going to be an issue.

[Kyra553]

Hi 

Lastly, I'm kinda insecure that I started so late I know some ppl start at 17 when they're barely hitting puberty and get the best results and are usually the most passable. Did anyone start around my age and what were your results? Also, how long did it take you to start changing?

Thanks so much for any and all your help

I'm the same age but I'm on the heaver side and pre-HRT at 5'9 and weight of 195 (still decreasing of course). So I'm curious to see what is posted for this thread as well. 

And Welcome to the forum. 

[Lady_Oracle]

Don't fret Jesssprincesss! I was 21 when I started and have had great results. Like most have already mentioned its mainly genetics not so much age. Just make sure you stay on top of your diet and drink plenty of water!!

[Jamie D]

Jess, the other posters are right, 22 is not late!!

Also, estradiol, once it is in your system, hits the brain in seconds.

I felt good the first day!

[sandrauk]

        Well that was brutal. Yes, genetics play a huge role in the effect of HRT, but age can also play a role. While not applicable to all, the younger one is, the less masculine they are. This varies from person to person. Those teens that you mentioned would look even more masculine at 40 years old. Age does matter, but not the same for everyone. If you can start HRT before you have a full beard, it doesn't mean you will pass better in the end, but that you'll save a sh*t ton of money on electrolysis. Masculinization happens over most of the lifetime of men, else a twenty year old would look just as manly as a 35 year old, which of course can happen, but isn't the norm.
       What I am trying to say is that the rule of thumb is the younger, the easier a transition would probably be. But, there are some who break the mold. I am not saying that a group of 17 year old transitioners will always look better than a group of thirty year old transitioners, but that if a single person were to transition at the age of 17, they would, in most cases, achieve better results than if they were to transition at an older age. It is on a per person basis, but it is the rule of thumb. This, of course, doesn't factor in potential surgeries and such that one could have, solely the effects of HRT.

I agree. Looking back at my old photos; at 26 I had a small rounded face. By 30, big changes had occurred making it much more difficult.

[Nicolette]

Sorry, but age does matter, even after puberty. The potential fat and weight distribution obtained through HRT tails off the later one starts. Testosterone damage accumulates as one ages. And a lot is irreversible. Bones and cartilage continue to grow past puberty. Adams apple becomes more prominent. Facial and body hair thicken. Scalp hair loss occur and hairline recedes. The voice continues to drops in pitch. These things are not mitigated by having high levels of testosterone in the body as one ages, even after puberty. So the earlier ones starts the better.

My puberty started very late at 17. At that age, I looked very girl indeed. So when I started in my early twenties, I prevent any further masculinisation. Comparing myself to my brothers 20 years later, I'm extremely glad I started when I did. There's no way I would be as passable if I started 10 or twenty years later. That's comparing myself with myself, not anyone else.

22 is a very good age to start. You'll still have a great effect from HRT, better than if you were to have started later.

[Ginny]

~Jess,
I started HRT about a week before you and this is what I've experienced so far. (on u-ionized E and P)
Oh and I am 27 and started with a BMI of 18.5 fully clothed w/o shoes.

01. Crying: I have been getting misty eyed more frequently (on the verge of crying).
02. Female orgasm: On day 7. I'm assuming this is the case because my body was euphoric for about an hour. It started with me just drifting into some very "interesting" thoughts.
03. Appetite: Picked up, I used to eat two meals a day and maybe a snack. Now I can't seem to get full for very long.
04. Fat Distribution: Mainly to my face. I don't look like I grew up starving in a camp like I did.
05. Nipples: On day 9 I noticed that they are a little more puffy, and day 10 slightly more sensitive but not by much.
06. Facial Hair: Started slowing down at about the week mark.
07. Body Hair: Started slowing down at day 3.
08. Emotions: Feel much more calm and relaxed. Things that used to set me into a rage are becoming just irksome.
09. Logic: No change, I've always tried to achieve a Vulcan-esque logic.
10. Shopping: Has become a lot more fun  , and very dangerous to my budget  .  I used to be a in and out type of person, but now I can lose hours in a clothing dept.

So don't worry too much about your age. There are plenty of girls on here that have started transition in their mid to late twenties and beyond.  As I have found common here though, YMMV. To put on some extra calories I have been supplementing each day with 1 cliff bar (250Cal) and 1 Ensure Plus (350Cal). At this point I feel like I will begin tapering back a bit and switching between one or the other on alternating days instead of both. I'm probably forgetting some things, but I've tried my best to keep track of what has been happening.

Have a wonderful day <3

EDIT:
11. Testicles: Day 11 on and off feeling that they are being tightened/squished.  Possibly a chemically induced castration type effect, I'm not sure.

[Jessika Lin]

Sorry, but age does matter, even after puberty. The potential fat and weight distribution obtained through HRT tails off the later one starts. Testosterone damage accumulates as one ages. And a lot is irreversible.

Yay, now I'm bored, impatient *and* depressed..

@Ginny

I'm not sure when you're taking your 'calorie supplement' (for lack of a better term lol) but I'd suggest right before bed, that way most to all of it should end up stored. I used to have a metabolism that prevented me from gaining any weight, sadly it gave up and went away years ago.

[Nicolette]

Yay, now I'm bored, impatient *and* depressed..

Quite so. It's the non-sugar coated truth. A kick up the ass so to speak. Starting now is better than in ten years, no matter what your age. So get on with enjoying those extra ten years as yourself NOW!

[AubreyN7]

Typically, the younger you are when you start, the better physical traits you'll develop. That being said, genetics also play a big role in what results you'll get as well. Like everything else in life, it's a crap shoot. There are no absolutes, and there are no guarantees. But honestly, to me, the physical changes of HRT are secondary. It's the mental changes that make the whole thing worthwhile. That sense of calm, of personal well being, are worth every penny spent on HRT. And that, my dear, is ageless. Even if they had given me no physical changes whatsoever, I would still take them for the mental part alone. A skilled surgeon can take care of the outside if that's what you want. It's what they do on the inside that matters most.