How long after hormone start did you say this is the answer

[stephaniec]

I've been on HRT for 31 months. I have to say the first year was bumpy wondering if it was working or wondering if I was doing the right thing. The second year was better, my face getting feminine and my breasts taking off I started to relax and just take things normally. The third year has been really good with full time being proper and being accepted in my neighborhood . I can truey say now that this was the right move and has stopped my severe depression for the most part. I still worry about practical survival needs , but the torment of my gender is gone.

[Ms Grace]

How long? About 24 hours?

[RobynD]

I knew quickly within the first few weeks. Then began a short period of kicking myself because i had not done it earlier.

[Maybebaby56]

Within a week.  I felt much happier, and more accepting of myself. At first it was an undefinable feeling, then it hit me - it was the absence of dysphoria!  Having lived decades with self-loathing and shame, I had forgotten what it was like to be okay with myself. It was a nice feeling.  Not that everything has been all hearts and flowers since then, but I know now I can never go back to being male and be happy.

~Terri

[Deborah]

About 7 years before I started the first time I knew it was the answer.


Sapere Aude

[stephaniec]

I think for me finally being full time and the remaining doubts melting away my brain just seems to finally accept this path totally. I posted this because today I just sat back and said yea. The first dayI had E I was in euphoria because it had taken 40 years from the time I first tried to figure out if I could get away with stealing my sisters birth control pills.When I realized that wasn't possible I thought about breaking into a pharmacy then I just gave up and turned to LSD which temporarily stopped the pain, but wasn't what I truly needed. So yea, first dose immediate relief , but then it has taken 31 months to be totally free. The combination of actual physical and mental change and living properly is amazing.

[cindianna_jones]

I knew "this" was the answer long before I got hormones. Back when I went through it, I didn't even think HRT was a thing. I'm not sure I ever got the right HRT in fact. And I only took hormones a few years... some years after my surgery.

[Ellement_of_Freedom]

I knew quickly within the first few weeks. Then began a short period of kicking myself because i had not done it earlier.

This! Can't help but think what would have been possible if I had the courage when I was younger. Alas, can't change the past.

[stephaniec]

I just didn't know how to go about it  plus there wasn't muxh help in the medical community when I was growing up.

[SadieBlake]

I was pretty sure it was the answer at a month when I realized my breasts were already growing, ahead of the best schedule I could have hoped for.

There are still problems, my sex drive is still more or less missing at a little under 6 months out and I'm seeking answers to how to find it again, or find a more feminine sexuality.

I'm also terrified of surgery and so if the best outcome still feels like hormones + GRS and I'm not sure I could stay on transition level doses if I don't go through with GRS.

[JoanneB]

Back during the dawn of time when I first tried low dose HRT, within a few weeks I had no doubt how much it help me emotionally.

Back 7 years ago when I tried to tell myself Low-Dose was the way to go.... I was only fooling myself. I knew long before, months before, what I needed to do to save my life

[stephaniec]

for those who need it , it sure does wonders

[Mallory]

For sure for sure?  4 months in when I came out to my family and friends in person. 

[KyleeKrow]

Pretty much after the first time I took HRT. It felt pretty wonderful. I'm still going through that first year of impatience and wondering if it'll work well for me. I've gotten a little bit of hair back and hoping for more. And my boobs seem to be going nuts and changing the most, so it's a bit awkward. My skin is totally great looking now though.

[Ange]

Two or three weeks I guess. Dysphoria disappeared super quickly. It was awesome.

[AnonyMs]

The next day. I still tried to stop it though. That didn't work out so well.

[Laura_Squirrel]

About 30 seconds after my first Estrace pill dissolved. Sure, I had an extremely bumpy ride with the Finasteride. But, that's long gone.

[Michelle_P]

About 30 seconds after my first Estrace pill dissolved.

LOL!  I just took my first dose today, and found myself dancing around the kitchen, grinning and damn near crying from happiness.  OK, 'just' a psychological boost.  It's all in my head.  And ain't that the point?

   

[stephaniec]

congrats

[karenpayneoregon]

I knew way before taking hormones that this was the right decision, would had never started them unless I knew it was the right decision.