I'm worried that I'm hormone resistant :(

[Jean24]

I'm speaking in general terms or at least for sex hormones. So right now I've been on HRT for about 6 months and I have had almost no changes to speak of, save for sensitive nipples (which happened within the first month) and laser hair removal is no longer a shave that lasts for just 2 weeks. I talked to my endocrinologist and he decided to put me on a second blocker a few weeks ago.

But now I'm beginning to wonder if there's a whole lot of reason to block whatever I'm currently making. I'm just thinking back my teen years when I started late and didn't really do much in terms of filling out, building muscle, getting facial hair, etc. And now six months of no results and more medicine with no results are just making me wonder what is going on.

[Jean24]

I recently heard that progesterone is critical in transitioning. Is that true? Should I ask my doctor about it?

[AnonyMs]

I recently heard that progesterone is critical in transitioning. Is that true? Should I ask my doctor about it?

It's not critical. There's been heaps of discussion here about it, if it's required or not, which does suggest that it doesn't have a large effect. Personally I like it, but it's a bit subtle.

[Promethea]

I'm not an endo and I'm not on HRT yet, but from what I've heard and read 6 months with almost no changes is perfectly normal. Most people that say they changed a lot in three month are delusional because they are in a huge pink fog.

We all react differently to the different drugs, there's our genetic differences and then a lot of outside factors, like our environment, diet, etc. So HRT needs a bit of trial an error. Most people have their dosages changed by their doctors at some point after seeing how the one they prescribed affect all the different levels.

You're not immune to hormones, it's just a process that takes time. And then you have to be realistic with your expectations. Look at the women in your family. How did puberty affect them? I, for example, know that I'm not going to get a lot of fat on my hips and butt, so I'm working on making that area grow with musculature instead (which is a good thing to do here in Brazil, they're really assperts - I mean experts - in that type of workout), while I'm likely going to get a more than decent breast size.

[awilliams1701]

For what its worth everyone says to expect serious mental changes within the first week alone. That didn't happen for me. It took 3 months before it started and I'm still experiencing that now at 7 months. My breasts stick out a decent amount, but there is practically no mass. I was hoping they would be fuller by now. Everyone's experience is going to be different. Its unfortunately a patience game and I don't have a lot of that.

[Jean24]

Thank you all for your replies

[Rachel]

Jean, transition is slooooow.

You want to make sure your T is low and well surprised. Sometimes it takes a while to get the correct blockers and dosages to properly suppress your T. My T is below 20 ng/dl. Then E can properly take control. There are various E delivery systems, patches, gels, pills, IM and implants. You will need the correct dose of E over a period of time to get results. Some E delivery systems will work better for you than others.

Do not become discouraged. Find out your blood T levels and work with your doctor. Become an informed patient that communicates with your doctor. If you are going to a doctor that is not right for you then find a doctor that is trans competent and then consider switching.

[januarysunshine]

You may just need to change hormones. I started on Estrace, which didn't show any improvements for a few months...then they upped the dose and things took off. I also use vag cream and found that estrace was good at first but then quit working so they switched me to premarin vag cream, which works great(but it really really smells funky, like seriously funky, unless you wash very frequently--which kinda defeats the purpose if you're washing the med away all the time.lol)
Check with your doc and see what options you might have

[galaxy]

Hello Jean,

sounds a bit like me. Let me tell you the following important things. It doesnt matter what kind of hormones you take - pills, injections ... the dosage ... it all doesnt matter. It works or it doesnt work. If it doesnt work in most cases your genes are the problem, like in my case. Maybe we've not enough receptors or a lower quality in receptors, some hormonical problems - so there will be a effect, but its very subtile and will take really much time.

In my case my first thinner hair was recognized by me after 17month, some first new fat distribution, less muscles now after 30month ... no breast development. Most changes i had in my face and first things will happen here between 7-12 month. After "my" 30 month now its compared to normal HRT-speed 1 year or so.

So, i guess you will need a long breath for that but changes not impossible - its so slow that only photos can show them. On the other hand check your serum levels for unnormal values. A low SHBG f.e. will slow down HRT dramaticly.

Wish you all the best and dont try compare you with others ... believe me its poison 
Galaxy