Pre-HRT Development

[Aurelia]

This is a topic stuffed full with questions - sorry about that, I just couldn't find any information about this anywhere else.

Is it normal, or not uncommon, for a transsexual to begin development before they even touch hormones? Because I've been noticing a little bit of fat redistribution and minor breast growth (meaning, I'm still flatchested, but my chest is soft and well, I won't go into it, but more decidedly feminine). The changes are quite subtle, but I didn't think you could ... change without hormones. Would this simply be because I have a comparably high level of oestrogen (I'm still very much a primary transsexual)? If I took anti-androgens, could these changes increase even more?

I came out to my parents a while ago, but only recently told them I'll want to transition if this feeling doesn't go away in a couple of years. They're supportive, but don't want me to go through with it, but I think that I might be able to persuade them to allow me to take anti-androgens for the timebeing, so if doing so could encourage changes anyway (because of a lack of troublesome androgens), it would be a very good thing...

[Kat]

If you feel that you won't be making a decision for over a year, then getting anti-androgens to offset any more changes from testosterone in the mean time would probably be a good idea.  Once changes occur it can be hard to undo them.

As for changes before hormones, I did not really have anything like that occur with me, except changes in my skin, but that was due to the feminine body washes and lotions and stuff I started using.

[gothique11]

I agree with Kat in that anti-androgens could be an option for now.

Breast development can happen in a male body on it's own, depending on different factors.

As far as I know, I don't know of changes happening before you have hormones just because you want it to happen. Although, there could be a possibility that it is a psychosomatic response.

It could also be Gynecomastia.

I think weight is a common factor, where a male can develop "moobs."  Hormonal balances can be a factor. And so can being intersexed or having Klinefelter's syndrome. It could be even related to food you're eating or a medication you're taking.

It's difficult to say why it is happening (I'm not a doctor, and I don't know you).

As for myself, I had breast development in my teens that didn't go away. I also don't have much of a brow, adam's apple, and other things (like my voice barely dropping like all of the other guys -- something that I was constantly made fun of and beaten up at school for). What does that mean? I don't know.

But, anyway, there could be a lot of things, and again I'm not an expert in this.

[Gray Seraph]

Since this may(when I really just started to accept the truth) I've noticed that I've lost a considerable amount of weight. I went from about 180lbs  to 167lbs (my weight hasn't been below 175lbs since I was about 15-16). I haven't changed my diet in any way and I didn't really exercise. I'm not sure what exactly is causing it, but the timing makes me wonder.

At puberty I developed some gynectomastia (mostly on the right side, but the left side seems to be catching up a little now), so I was always too embarrassed to take off my shirt. My butt sticks out kind of like a girls (I've been made fun of in the past for it), my Adam's apple and brow ridge are less pronounced than usual, and a few other small things. I wonder if my hormone levels are off, I guess I'll find out soon enough.

I've heard hypnosis can have an effect on hormone levels, in some ways accepting that your TS could have a similar effect. If the mind believes something, the body may follow.

If all goes well I plan on getting HRT in a few months, if my psychologist is qualified enough to write a recommendation. Otherwise I'm going to need to find a specialist/therapist.

[Aurelia]

As far as I know, I don't know of changes happening before you have hormones just because you want it to happen.

I was suggesting that I have a high level of oestrogen, and therefore feel like a girl, and have physical changes.

I think weight is a common factor, where a male can develop "moobs."

I have very little body fat. I'm very thin, and the only places where I have any noticable fat are on my thighs, stomach, and chest. Other than that, I'm extremely thin - 6'2", 146lbs.

It could also be Gynecomastia.

Well, by definition, Gynecomastia is the growth of breasts on (birth) males. May I also point out that I mentioned "a little bit of fat redistribution" - I have fat on my hips which I'm certain wasn't there before. So it isn't just Gynecomastia... I'm assuming it's a hormonal imbalance, possibly due to my GID, or from the same cause as my GID. What I'm really curious about, though, is whether I'd gain any more "changes" if I were to take anti-androgens.

At puberty I developed some gynectomastia (mostly on the right side, but the left side seems to be catching up a little now) so I was always too embarrassed to take off my shirt.

I did, too, when I was about 13 or 14. Nothing very noticable, but a few guys in the school changing rooms (ugh) pointed out that I had ... differently shaped nipples than they did.

My butt sticks out kind of like a girls

Mine does too. xP Apparently most boys can't "fill" girls' trousers, but I can.

[Rachael]

This is a topic stuffed full with questions - sorry about that, I just couldn't find any information about this anywhere else.

Is it normal, or not uncommon, for a transsexual to begin development before they even touch hormones? Because I've been noticing a little bit of fat redistribution and minor breast growth (meaning, I'm still flatchested, but my chest is soft and well, I won't go into it, but more decidedly feminine). The changes are quite subtle, but I didn't think you could ... change without hormones. Would this simply be because I have a comparably high level of oestrogen (I'm still very much a primary transsexual)? If I took anti-androgens, could these changes increase even more?

I came out to my parents a while ago, but only recently told them I'll want to transition if this feeling doesn't go away in a couple of years. They're supportive, but don't want me to go through with it, but I think that I might be able to persuade them to allow me to take anti-androgens for the timebeing, so if doing so could encourage changes anyway (because of a lack of troublesome androgens), it would be a very good thing...

there wont have been changes, either you were like this already, or not, you would change sligtly when on AAs only as natural E would be higher, but not without ANY hrt.
Primary trans isnt really an issue here, when not on hrt, you wont develop unlesss you have some form of IS condition, and then it will be prevalent from birth or puberty
perchance, how old are you?

[Aurelia]

I'm in my late teens.

So, at my age, I believe non-HRT development is possible.

[Lucy]

Well  ive never heard of this happening befor but i oftern wonder this myself. As i have losed weight my breasts n hips seem to have grown n my weist shrunk. Im not on hrt and all seems alittle coincedental.

[Rachael]

I'm in my late teens.

So, at my age, I believe non-HRT development is possible.

no, its really not... not just by willing it to happen, and 'knowing about your gid' Trust me, i willed it  enough,, without an IS condition, you wont develop anything without hrt, and especially not randomly in your late teens... you will FASTER when you start hrt, but not before, seriously honey.

Lucy, sometimes its just us really wanting to see what we wish was there...

[Aurelia]

not just by willing it to happen, and 'knowing about your gid'

I was suggesting that I have a high level of oestrogen, and therefore feel like a girl, and have physical changes.

So I mean the reason why I feel like a girl could be the same reason as small developments.
Now, I'm not the whole way through puberty yet, which makes changes possible. The fact that small changes have happened, as I wrote in my first post, is a sure sign that something has changed. Now, my body is feminine - a small waist, wider hips than usual, etc.
I mean, there is the possibility that gaining weight (which I think I may have) has increased fat on my chest and hips (and nowhere else). I don't know if that's possible without changes, though, so naturally I'm at a loss.

[Nero]

Primary trans isnt really an issue here, when not on hrt, you wont develop unlesss you have some form of IS condition, and then it will be prevalent from birth or puberty

Yes, an IS condition or an elevated estrogen level for a genetic male.

[Jonie]

As for myself, I had breast development in my teens that didn't go away. I also don't have much of a brow, adam's apple, and other things (like my voice barely dropping like all of the other guys -- something that I was constantly made fun of and beaten up at school for). What does that mean? I don't know.

Wow, I was exactly the same way, I thought I was the only one like this. Do you have thin wrists and small earlobes too and did you sometimes sound like a woman when you weren't trying?

[Gray Seraph]

not just by willing it to happen, and 'knowing about your gid'

I was suggesting that I have a high level of oestrogen, and therefore feel like a girl, and have physical changes.

So I mean the reason why I feel like a girl could be the same reason as small developments.
Now, I'm not the whole way through puberty yet, which makes changes possible. The fact that small changes have happened, as I wrote in my first post, is a sure sign that something has changed. Now, my body is feminine - a small waist, wider hips than usual, etc.
I mean, there is the possibility that gaining weight (which I think I may have) has increased fat on my chest and hips (and nowhere else). I don't know if that's possible without changes, though, so naturally I'm at a loss.

In about two months time my waist dropped from 34 to 30in, along with the 13lbs I lost. My hips are 38in, but I never thought to measure them in the past, so I don't know if they got any bigger. So I have a waist to hip ratio of about 79%, which isn't really typical of a male.

My frame is also on the smaller side for a male, but I always thought that was just from being born premature.

~Marciel

[LostInTime]

I grew up with a fleshy chest/small breasts. Small enough to stand out but not big enough to be at the receiving end of many beatings. Skins v shirts? Once I hit puberty I never really took my shirt off in public again. AFAIK, I am not IS.

There are a number of reasons why things may be happening and they range from disruption to the endocrine system due to environmental factors, to IS conditions, and on and on. If you are experiencing changes then it would be smart to measure and track and also see a doctor as they could be symptoms of a new or existing problem.

[Rachael]

then again, it could be you wishing changes could happen, and psycosematic changes occuring in your eyes.

[Aurelia]

Oh Rachael, were you born pessimistic?

[Jonie]

This is a topic stuffed full with questions - sorry about that, I just couldn't find any information about this anywhere else.

Is it normal, or not uncommon, for a transsexual to begin development before they even touch hormones? Because I've been noticing a little bit of fat redistribution and minor breast growth (meaning, I'm still flatchested, but my chest is soft and well, I won't go into it, but more decidedly feminine). The changes are quite subtle, but I didn't think you could ... change without hormones. Would this simply be because I have a comparably high level of oestrogen (I'm still very much a primary transsexual)? If I took anti-androgens, could these changes increase even more?

I came out to my parents a while ago, but only recently told them I'll want to transition if this feeling doesn't go away in a couple of years. They're supportive, but don't want me to go through with it, but I think that I might be able to persuade them to allow me to take anti-androgens for the timebeing, so if doing so could encourage changes anyway (because of a lack of troublesome androgens), it would be a very good thing...

Seeing These changes without hormones and being Transsexual might be a coincidence or they might be both caused by the same thing, whatever that is. Maybe transexuality isn't just confined to the brain but manifests itself in other parts of the body.

[Rachael]

Oh Rachael, were you born pessimistic?

No, just realistic
also, i happen to be a scientist, and know what is possible and what is not. we have discussed what might cause this. simply realising your a girl, and wanting to change, sadly, does nothing

[gothique11]

As for myself, I had breast development in my teens that didn't go away. I also don't have much of a brow, adam's apple, and other things (like my voice barely dropping like all of the other guys -- something that I was constantly made fun of and beaten up at school for). What does that mean? I don't know.

Wow, I was exactly the same way, I thought I was the only one like this. Do you have thin wrists and small earlobes too and did you sometimes sound like a woman when you weren't trying?

I have thin wrists, small ears, and sounded like a girl for a long time. Although, because I smoke, my voice has actually dropped a bit. You can year my voice and see what I look like in my vlog (link is in my profile, I believe).

I haven't taken voice therapy yet, although I am going in September sometime. When I talked to them, I confused them a bit because they weren't sure what I was trying to do, and so, they may or may not be able to do anything for me. I thought I'd give it a shot, anyway. I guess they take pictures of your vocal cords and look at your voice at a spectrograph and then teach you stuff.

I don't think that my pitch is very high, especially with smoking, however, the way I speak and say things is more feminine. So, *shurgs* I don't know.

[Rachael]

ja same... my voice is naturaly female atm, done no work, but this is post hrt...