HRT without obvious physical changes

[Christine_Hart]

Is it true that low doses can help you emotionally without bringing on obvious physical changes? If that is the case, could someone explain what I might expect to experience over the early days and weeks if I were to start taking them?

[Dena]

Expect some changes even on low dose. Changes might happen at a far slower rate but they will happen. The blocker can make a big difference but even they may have some effect on your body.

Not everybody responds the same to HRT and some are highly responsive even on low dose. How you will respond can't be determined in advance so have a fall back plan.

[Christine_Hart]

Wouldn't you be able to stop if you noticed any physical changes or can they continue once you've set them in motion?

Everyone's different, but what might you notice mentally in the early stages?

[Dena]

HRT can be highly addictive. Not like street drugs but shutting down the T factor can result in a major reduction in dysphoria. Once you see what life can be like, you may have a difficult time returning to life as before.

Changes will stop if you stop HRT and you may have a reduction in development as well. The dysphoria reduction happens in the first 2-4 weeks once the T levels are reduced to a low level however this can vary from person to person.

[Christine_Hart]

I'm in a relationship. I have heard of other girls in similar situation who are on low doses. Wonder if it might be something to explore or too risky?

[Dena]

Had the treatment available today been available to me, I would have found it far to risky not to try it. For others, loss of family or work may make them decide it's far to risky to try. This will be a personal judgement that only you can make.

[JoanneB]

Over the decades I relied on my On/Off periods of Low Dose HRT to get over the hump. Most times it would be a few months. The "Hump" having been conquered weeks or months earlier.

I stopped when the "Not So Obvious" but all too concerning physical affect of taking a hit below the belt took place. Definitely not aligned with "The Prime Directive" of being a "Normal" guy.

[Autrement]

I am on low dose HRT since about 18 months now. It helps my dysphoria, without any change in my life (family, work). I am lucky enough that why wife understands and accepts. I am only out to her.
Physical changes are minimal and manageable so far. At the swimming pool, my daughters are just laughing a mit more at my breast, a bit big for a dad...

[luna nyan]

I've been logging my experience on the thread in my signature.

Basically it helps, but be prepared to fall into transition - it's not something to enter into lightly

[Christine_Hart]

Basically it helps, but be prepared to fall into transition - it's not something to enter into lightly

You've obviously managed to resist the temptation. I wonder how strong the urge to 'go for it' is after starting on low does HRT?

[AnonyMs]

You've obviously managed to resist the temptation. I wonder how strong the urge to 'go for it' is after starting on low does HRT?

Very few manage it. I lasted 5 years on low dose, then couldn't take it anymore and went to a full transitioning dose about 3 years ago. I'm still presenting male. Not sure I'm going to last much longer though, all this hiding is very stressful.

[Christine_Hart]

Very few manage it. I lasted 5 years on low dose, then couldn't take it anymore and went to a full transitioning dose about 3 years ago. I'm still presenting male. Not sure I'm going to last much longer though, all this hiding is very stressful.

How couldn't you take it anymore? Was it because you were seeing the benefits of being female and got to the stage when you couldn't resist going further?

[Autrement]

You've obviously managed to resist the temptation. I wonder how strong the urge to 'go for it' is after starting on low does HRT?

I believe the "temptation" or desire to change gender comes from the dysphoria itself. I think HRT does not increase it, I would even say, by alleviating the suffering, that it allows to better focus on the other things of life. Since I started HRT, I feel the dysphoria is easier to manage, however it did not disappear, I know I will have to live with it forever. The feelings change on HRT, therefore you have a new psychological challenge to interpret them, while keeping a male social role. You have to tell yourself "I am alleviating a suffering, coming from a medical condition", and not "I am starting a transition to a new gender", if it is what you mean. But it might not be worse than keeping resisting the deep dysphoria troubles without HRT.

[AnonyMs]

How couldn't you take it anymore? Was it because you were seeing the benefits of being female and got to the stage when you couldn't resist going further?

Not really, its the mental effects. I stopped low dose because I got seriously depressed, and a transitioning dose and a few decisions on what to do next fixed that. Now my problems is I live in fear of people finding out what I've done, and have to hide everything away. Its an oppressive life and its beginning to get to me. I don't have much or any social dysphoria so I don't mind presenting male in the way many do.

I've found the mental effects of HRT are far bigger than the physical, though those are awesome too.

[Christine_Hart]

Not really, its the mental effects. I stopped low dose because I got seriously depressed, and a transitioning dose and a few decisions on what to do next fixed that.

I've heard a few people talking about feeling depressed. Do you think that's because the hormones knock down the hard male way of dealing with things so there are less mental barriers to help you cope with upsetting things?

[Autrement]

I feel better on HRT, even if I had to get used to the new feelings, overall much more pleasant, but sometimes a bit strange, as anything new. I believe that if you really have a dysphoria, the new hormones are better for your brain and wellbeing. It seems that, overtime, your body protects itself against these external drugs, making them less efficient, and you might need higher doses for the same effect. And if you come back to the previous state (as I tried lowering my doses for a month), it becomes very painful and difficult to handle.
This being said, you keep having a dysphoria and you can depress about it.

[Christine_Hart]

be prepared to fall into transition - it's not something to enter into lightly

What do you think are the mental danger signs that someone considering taking hormones should consider if they don't want to fall into transition?

[AnonyMs]

What do you think are the mental danger signs that someone considering taking hormones should consider if they don't want to fall into transition?

Being transgender.

[GalaxyDust]

Is it true that low doses can help you emotionally without bringing on obvious physical changes? If that is the case, could someone explain what I might expect to experience over the early days and weeks if I were to start taking them?

It may start slower for you but it depends on the body it could even on a low dose happen faster
the changes you would get emotionally would be like any other female you'll see although i'm no expert
I highly suggest going to your endro and asking there is a lot of mixed information out there good or bad.
  Also i am FTM so my info is barely helpful, i mean yea i can try but at the same time i can't because
i don't know with all my disorders on top of being born female what my femaled body did that was naturally just happening. But! i can assure you you'll probably cry a lot but not in a bad way ^_^ so don't worry.

[Sophia Sage]

What do you think are the mental danger signs that someone considering taking hormones should consider if they don't want to fall into transition?

Being transgender.

Christine, if your personal truth (even unacknowledged) is that you're female, you may find transition unescapable if you want to alleviate your dysphoria, HRT or not.