HRT effectiveness by age?

[MeghanMe]

Hi everyone,

I'm a couple of months from my first endocrinologist's appointment, and like everyone, I'm wondering what kind of results to expect. The thing I'm most concerned about is age. I'm 46 and I've seen a lot of claims that the older you are, the less effect you get.

On the other hand, I've seen a lot of middle aged women say they got good results. And the "what to expect" threads and videos that I've seen only rarely feature women my age, or even reveal what age they are.

Is there a proven connection between age and HRT effectiveness? Does anyone know if it's affected at all by diet or exercise? (Or even things like green papaya and massage?) It all seems like a great big unstudied mystery to me...

[chuufk]

It depends more on genetics. If you are older it is slower to take effect but you get there in the end. However if you have the genetics for small boobs then it makes little odds whether you start at 15 or 50.

Where age is important is during puberty where it might mean the difference between a male puberty and a female one.

Hormones do about 10% - 20% of the work. The vast bulk of your transition is learning and attitude. Walk like a man and hormones will not help. For beard and moustache hormones are no help. For voice hormones are NO help (unless you are FTM). However feminise your look, walk, voice and gestures and you will be perceived as female whether you are on hormones or not.

Hormones help but most of it comes from within.

[Jessica Merriman]

I started HRT at 47 and that is really me today! I have had zero facial or breast surgery and am a 38 "C".

No one can tell you how they will work for your specific body and health. It is just up to how you respond to them. Go for it as it is never too old and let no one drag you down with talk of genetics or statistics. Dreams do come true!!

You can find my before photo here in the galleries to judge for yourself how well they can work.

[allisonsteph]

I started HRT at 45 and have wonderful results. I also have not had any facial surgery or breast augmentation. I am currently a 38C, possible D.



It's basically a lottery. No two people will get the same results.

[Cindy]

I started HRT at 58, and yes that is me. You really wouldn't to see my before pic!

Eat well, exercise and look good. You'll be fine!

[iKate]

The younger the better, generally, but that doesn't mean that if you're older you totally missed the boat. Far from it.

Yes, that is really me in my avatar, obviously, after 9 months of E and spiro, and a few weeks of P.

I'm 37.

Morgan Freeman never looked this good!! (inside joke)

[Anna R]

Well, I am 67 and have a B cup before any HRT.
My Endocrinologist asked if I was well prepared for everything and I said, "not really sure".
His response was that I had pretty much sort it all out FAST!
Hence I am seeing a counsellor for the 1st time on the same day as I get my prescription.
Didn't get referred to a councillor, saw a Psychologist and was pronounced as normal , not sure on that one though.
I gather that my genetics I have inherited could be interesting.
Anna

[Dee Marshall]

I honestly think some older girls expect too much. If you're 56, don't expect HRT to make you look like an 18 year old. But, because the changes are new, you MIGHT look like a 40 year old. I'm 12 months on HRT and happy with the changes so far. (Older picture on the left. I've changed since then.)

[MeghanMe]

Thanks everyone, that was helpful. Looks like hormones have done a lot of work! I guess with the long wait and all, the uncertainty is hard to take.

I did a little poking around looking for scientific or medical studies on this, and found nothing. It seems like it's hard even to define the problem - how do you rate the effectiveness of HRT over a whole bunch of different people? A survey? Anyway, I'll just wait and see for myself.

Chuufk, how did you learn your walk and mannerisms? I'm on a waiting list for a voice therapist who claims to do that, but it's been months and I've heard nothing. (If you can't tell, I really hate waiting!)

Dee, the not-being-18-anymore thing is a little hard to take, but at least I don't expect things to get worse.

[Dee Marshall]

One of my bests friends told me yesterday that she was jealous. I have the perkiest boobs she's ever seen on a 50 something. Gonna be a hot grandma in a few years after HRT has done all its work. Assuming my son ever does his part of the job!