effects of hormones

[allisonmaybe?]

I started HRT 3 weeks ago and I was wonder how long it will take too notice a reduction in muscle mass. I know it varies, I was just trying to get an average.

[Ms Grace]

It will depend on a number of factors, especially how much muscle you have to begin with. It will probably take several months before you notice a real change unless you also change your diet and do certain exercises.

[Jill F]

For me, it's been a slow process.   I started out with a very athletic physique.  18 1/2 inch biceps now down to 15 inches.  The average male in the US has 14 inch biceps.  The good news is that I probably still have the upper hand if I ever get in another bar fight.

[Jessika]

Hi all,
I was wondering what the effects are on the mind initially and over time? 

[helen2010]

This may vary but in my case it was as though a veil was lifted. I moved from blacks and grey to technicolor, from mono sound to full surround sound, from being sensorily limited to fully sensate (more empathetic/connected, improved sense of touch and smell, even colour looked more vibrant). In short, I felt more present, a little more emotional, but as I stayed on low dose after my head became a little fluffy I have not experienced the significant emotional or mood swings that others sometimes describe.  The above is why I take hrt.   And of course, no more dysphoria.  It really has been miraculous. If you are ok with, or welcome the physical changes, then if you are trans it really is the elixir of choice!

Safe travels

Aisla

[Jo-is-amazing]

At about 3-4 weeks it started for me
and its been pretty dramatic ever since
so at this point i've lost maybe 7kg of muscle, although I was holding a lot of access 'bulk' before hrt,
so yeah, you'll probably start noticing it soon so stop worrying about it and enjoy the ride

As for mental changes..I've noticed I have like a daily cycle, which does not help if I'm trying to pull an all nighter. Come 12am I start to get pretty emotional and unstable really. On the other hand at around 12pm I feel absolutely breathtaking so that takes some getting used to. Maybe splitting the dose would change that I don't know

Other than that I feel like a real person for the first time in...well my life really. I have emotions!!! and I don't just try and block them out anymore! and even when I do get down, or emotional and catch myself crying I start to giggle. Because no matter how garbage I felt or how much I needed to I was never able to cry before

But as for actual changes to the 'you' part of your emotions...that hasn't happened for me

[Jessika]

Thanks for the replies all.
I'm still in the process for my first Gender Therapist visit. I will be making the appointment tomorrow (Monday). Just gathering more info as I grace these forums.

*hugs*

Jess

[helen2010]

Allison

I think that in about 3 months I noticed a loss of strength.  The muscle mass reduced almost imperceptibly  but after 3 years it is quite obvious.  My shoulders, biceps, last, quads and calfs are much reduced.  It would be more obvious if I had watched my weight

Aisla

[Rachel]

I noticed muscle mass reduction around 3 months.

I am about 17 months on HRT and have a trainer to add lean muscle mass and flexibility. We use balls and dumbbells with functional exercises.

Bulk is gone and now proper definition is desired and curves. I never knew I had a butt until it hurt so bad with exercise to exhaustion.

[Emily1996]

It's just been a month and half for me, and I think I lost some strenght... but I don't know about muscle, I guess some, but I never worked out much there and I never was really bulky... I guess it also depends on your hrt dose, etc... I'm kinda at a low dose starting dose.

[Monica Jean]

This may vary but in my case it was as though a veil was lifted. I moved from blacks and grey to technicolor, from mono sound to full surround sound, from being sensorily limited to fully sensate (more empathetic/connected, improved sense of touch and smell, even colour looked more vibrant). In short, I felt more present, a little more emotional, but as I stayed on low dose after my head became a little fluffy I have not experienced the significant emotional or mood swings that others sometimes describe.  The above is why I take hrt.   And of course, no more dysphoria.  It really has been miraculous. If you are ok with, or welcome the physical changes, then if you are trans it really is the elixir of choice!

Safe travels

Aisla

This has also been my experience, amazing how these changes occurred so quickly, I'm so very thankful they did! I! I'ma new person!  I'm almost 4 weeks now.

3 week mark I really thought my breasts started growing even though I've lost 15 pounds since last month.just two days ago, 3.5 week mark, nipples started becoming quite sensitive.

And my skin is noticeably smoother, and somewhat drier.

I'm loving the new me and the rate of change!

[allisonmaybe?]

Thanks for the replies everyone, Jessika, I'm 4 weeks in and I'm a lot calmer than I used to be. Good luck in your session tomorrow it's a start to an amazing journey.

[Jessika]

Thanks for the replies everyone, Jessika, I'm 4 weeks in and I'm a lot calmer than I used to be. Good luck in your session tomorrow it's a start to an amazing journey.

Thanks. You sound like I am already diagnosed. *giggle*

I'm so anxious right now. 

[Lady_Oracle]

I started HRT 3 weeks ago and I was wonder how long it will take too notice a reduction in muscle mass. I know it varies, I was just trying to get an average.

It took me 2 full years till it was 99% gone and I had little muscle mass to begin with, this is one of the processes that can take a lot of time depending on what your physique is and weight. 

[Hideyoshi]

I started HRT 3 weeks ago and I was wonder how long it will take too notice a reduction in muscle mass. I know it varies, I was just trying to get an average.

I'm down from about 13-14" bicep to 11". I know the reduction started later last year for me, so about a year in. Before that, it was just oh-so-slowly reducing. Mostly just skin changes at that point.

Muscle mass has since reduced greatly (I was never muscular to begin with) and I have like 1/4 the upper body strength I did before.