A brief update. After a little more than a month on low dosage HRT,
I am noticing that I am less obsessed with feminization, but also have experienced a drastic drop in libido. This is about what I wanted, as I wanted to moderate my feelings of gender dysphoria. I've gone to an asexual state, where the thought of sex with either men or women is all that interesting, but I can still arouse myself if I try. It does take longer though!
There are some pleasant side effects, like less beard growth, hair on my legs is growing back much finer than before, and less body hair on my chest and abdomen. This last effect is surprising, and it is almost like the hair is spontaneously falling out. I haven't looked at my back to see if there is hair loss there also.
I was hoping that there would be no breast development, but things are happening. Over the last week I have developed a lump in my right breast that has expanded to the point where it no longer feels like a bump. I still cannot pass the pencil test (where you put a pencil under your breast and see if it stays there; if it does, it's time for a bra). Nothing is happening on the left side. Both nipples are kind of sore and I may need to start wearing something under my shirts to stop the shirts from rubbing.
I am scheduled for my next doctor visit in May, so there will be blood work just to see what the E and T levels are at. I guess I will have to make a decision then on whether to continue as is, stop, or try a higher dosage. I have also been wondering if a change to progesterone would be of any benefit. All the reading that I have done indicates that it accelerates breast growth (not desired!), but I was interested in positive mood changes that some people have reported.
More later!
Hugs,
Charla
