Things I have been pondering

[Vanessa]

I am curious about the physical and emotional changes that happen during hormone therapy and GRS (for mtf).  I know that a doctor can tell me all the different side effects and what not and that there are probably info sites out there but I think getting actual feedback from people that have gone through the procedure is just as or more valuable then just poking around on info sites, and I currently don't have access to a doctor that would/could discuss such things.

From what little I learned in my high school biology class I can make a few assumptions, such as a decrease in muscle mass and having more sensitive emotions.  I have also learned from my time on Susans that fat distributes its self differently.

I am curious though as to what has actually taken place.  How much of a change is there?  Is there a drop in weight?  I'm not big to begin with and I'm not sure how my metabolism would like it.

Any feedback would be great.  I am full of questions and Susans is my best resource.

~Vanessa

Posted on: August 03, 2007, 10:54:24 AM40 views and no replies is this a taboo subject?  If it is please forgive me, I am still very new to this.

~V

[Anaya]

oh im waiting for an answer as well 
i have read alot about this, but i don't want to tell you anything wrong

but you will probably hear this a lot: "dont self medicate! its dangerous!". yep, it is, but you wont do that, will you?

[Vanessa]

No I don't plan on self medicating, I don't know nearly enough about any of this to make such decisions yet.  I am on a quest for knowledge before I make any choices.  I'm not planning on jumping right in either, my wife and I have a lot to get used to and plan out and think about before I decide to transition.  I am just trying to get an idea of what happens.

~Vanessa

[Keira]

The changes are kind of boilerplate, I can only recite you the whole list that's available everywhere else.

Muscle mass drops with time unless you do strenuous training, to female levels, can take 1-5 years depending how much you had initially and how much you exercise. You can accelerate it significantly through specific diet and exercise regime.

Emotions, hard to know for sure, many people are totally depressed and anxious prior to HRT so who knows what their normal state was; maybe the emotions after HRT are just normal emotions that have been suppressed for years.