Senior M2F Transgender People

[MelissaRC]

Hello,

I am in my late 60s, and decided it was time to attempt transition, for a variety of obvious reasons. I have been on HRT for four or five months, and am getting some expected results and not others.

Although my doctor says she is seeing a greater number of mature people, I still feel like a science experiment, with few guidelines and a lot of uncertainty.

I don't think older bodies respond to HRT in the same way that younger bodies would. To quote one of my counselors, " you have bathed your body is testoserone for 60++ years, and it unreasonable to expect to turn that around on a dime.

Is it? I don't really know.

Is anyone out there in the same situation? I would really like to compare notes.

Rita

[Ms Grace]

Hi, it's true to say the body won't turn on a dime with HRT. You usually need two years on average to see good results but for some it is more and others less. It comes down to your genetics as to how well your body might respond. If you've only been on for a few months that is not much time to see more than the initial results...some skin softening and some breast budding...and that's about it for obvious physical changes.

[LizK]

Hello,

I am in my late 60s, and decided it was time to attempt transition, for a variety of obvious reasons. I have been on HRT for four or five months, and am getting some expected results and not others.

Although my doctor says she is seeing a greater number of mature people, I still feel like a science experiment, with few guidelines and a lot of uncertainty.

I don't think older bodies respond to HRT in the same way that younger bodies would. To quote one of my counselors, " you have bathed your body is testoserone for 60++ years, and it unreasonable to expect to turn that around on a dime.

Is it? I don't really know.

Is anyone out there in the same situation? I would really like to compare notes.

Rita

I am 53 and started HRT about 7 months ago...I am now just starting to see some changes happening other than a small amount of breast growth(small B cup). I don't expect to have any really big difference until I have been on a transitional dose for at least a couple of years. I had 3 years prior to HRT without much in the way of T in my system anyway. I was  not expecting to see the changes I have seen so was pleasantly surprised. I have seen new hair growth on my head, my hair definitely grows better and faster, my skin is changing slowly and is now less rough than say your average bloke but nowhere near as soft as it will get.

My emotions are never far from the surface...which I don't mind...I am not as labile as I was in the beginning so my mood is evening out a bit more...I can feel myself slowly changing from a psychological point of view. I am not as angry as I was, I have clarity in a number of area's that I didn't used to have. When I am feeling good and not getting my butt kicked by dysphoria I feel amazing...this is slowly starting to happen more often. I don't go to the extremes I used too. I especially don't have anywhere near as much suicidal Idealisation like I used to.

Hope that gives you a start for your comparison...but you have to remember HRT is a crapshoot...no one knows how it will turn out, just like puberty was the first time round!

Liz

[Deborah]

Like others have said there is a big difference between a few months and a few years.  The changes come incrementally though so unless you keep some kind of record along the way you may not really notice some of them.  I'm not too much younger than you and overall I am satisfied with what HRT has done.  For all practical purposes, mental, physical, and health, it has made me age backwards.  While I could improve on things with some surgeries here and there I am extremely happy with what is.  So, just give it some time.


It is better to be hated for what you are than to be loved for what you are not.
André Gide, Autumn Leaves

[Dayta]

I'm ~56, and just started HRT a little over 3 months ago, and both my wife and I have been pleasantly surprised with noticeable changes already in my face, body and spirit.  I just try to keep in mind that the effect of hormones is to bring out the woman in me, not turn me into a woman I want. 

I'm also not a small person, so I wouldn't be surprised to find that the changes associated with the redistribution of fat are more noticeable in general if one already has some fat to move around. 

Congratulations on taking the brave step and good luck on your journey!

Erin

[Dena]

Because the primitive nature of the treatment I received, my body never developed to it's full potential even after years of HRT. I was off HRT for 10 years as that was "standard treatment" and I lost some ground. I am now back on HRT at 65 year old and the changes to my body are happening far faster than ever before. In addition, even my breast are exceeding their previous size. Age seems to have had no affect on my body's ability to handle HRT and it really amounts to having somebody who knows their business treating you.

[KayXo]

I've seen, more than once, older women having better results than their much younger counterparts. You'd be surprised how many times...

[Michelle_P]

I'm age 63, and fairly small/light for my age.  5'8" and 136 lbs (outside of the holiday season.  Gimme a couple weeks...). 

My endocrinologist is being fairly conservative in slowly ramping up the amounts of estradiol I receive.  At the 6 month point I still had a serum level less than or equal to 50 pg/mL.  Now, in spite of that I know i'm definitely getting the stuff into my system.  My breasts were sore and tender for the first several months, and I quickly formed the hard breast 'buds' of glandular tissue.  Now they're filling out nicely, at what's called Tanner Stage III, sort of pointy, not rounded yet, but I fill my 34B non-underwire bra fairly well.  I've got shrinkage of the testicles making tucking much easier.  I'm gaining a little in the hips, and have lost a little at the waist.

Now, I had been on finasteride for several years for BPH prior to starting HRT, and that might have given me a running start.  That said, the changes I am seeing are everything I had hoped for but didn't really expect at my age.  Oh, things don't turn on a dime, but biology, while slow, is relentless.  The change in mental attitude alone was well worth it.  The physical changes are a wonderful gift that I embrace.

I'm well on my way to becoming the weird old lady of my dreams.   As I told my therapist, as a male I was a scrawny sad old man.  As a 63 year old female, I totally rock this body.


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[SophieD]

I began HRT at 60, and am now 18 months down that path.  I'm not sure what the standard is, but I am quite happy with physical transformations.  But reducing the benefits of HRT to physical changes misses so much, in my view.  Beyond the physical, the emotional and psychic benefits are pretty much immeasurable.  Count me a believer that no age is too late. 

[Randi]

There are several advantages to being 60+.  Your testosterone is already fairly low.  The physical differences between men and women decrease with age.  You won't look like a 24 year old woman, but it's not hard to look like a 64 year old woman.

At your age, you should be on non-oral estradiol... Injections, patches or gel.

My breasts and butt are quite ample.   Of course my breasts are only a few years old, so they don't sag like a woman my age. I'm 67.  I dress male, but it's pretty obvious that my figure is like Mae West.
 

[MelissaRC]

Thank you for the comments. Really appreciated.

I started out self-medicating on estradiol tabs. Then, got medical supervision. Went to patches for a month or so. Had a really hard time keeping them on. Added Spiro. My T is way down, below 3, apparently.

Dumped the patches and went back to the tablets. Doc seems to be ok with the risk factors, although I am not all that sure about it.

[Brenda3156]

I am 60 and about 5 months into HRT on estradiol pills and Spiro. I am very happy with my results. My T was at 3 and my E at 247 the last time they ran blood work. I split the Spiro and E dose between morning and before bed time. I take progesterone with the evening dose. I have some breast growth and have lost over an inch in the waist. (Also lost 15 pounds, down to 195, largely due to also changing my diet and eating more fruits and veggies) My testicles have shrunk to less than half the size they were. My nipples are tender but not overly so. I have actually had wrinkles disappear on my face and neck. Also I have more hair on my head and it grows faster. I have noticed that my beard is lighter, not as thick. I am very happy emotionally with no mood changes. I want things to move along but know it just takes time. I am really enjoying this experience.

[karenpayneoregon]

I started hormones at 58, felt changes immediately but not significant e.g. breast were itchy from week one until one year later when I had breast augmentation. Not sure exactly when my face was noticeable to me in regards to changes but friend would say my face was much more feminine guessing at 8 or so months afterwards.

It's now 2.5 years since beginning hormones and in the past three months have noticed a huge difference in my emotions.

My expectations are that my hormones will keep causing small changes to me for years to come.

BTW I'm currently close to 61.

[Emily R]

We all are different and react differently!

I am 63, started hormones with a low dosage at 61 as I couldn't  change too quickly and had ~700 ng/DL testosterone  then, started increasing dosage and went to full dosage about 9 months ago, my blood work 2 weeks ago shows 208 ng/DL testosterone and 57 pg/mL of estradiol and in addition I have been taking Dutasteride (avodart)  for over 2 years now, as I had problems with an enlarged prostrate.

My body changes during that time includes some breast development, less than a B cup, almost total lost of body hair as it has changed to vellus,  reduced size of testicles, no more undesired erections, hair in bold spots have increased, but also using .5mg minoxodil, no noticeable body fat redistribution by sight or measurement, according to my wife more patience and mellower, and lower energy.

Endocrinologist wanted to start slow and so did I as precaution with the tablets, and started with estradiol only and then after a few months added Spiro to the dosages, now I want to speed it up a bit, or see more reactions and the Dr says that my body does not react as quickly, just to give it time, that girls take up to 8 years to change into a woman.

I am  frustrated, but at the same time since I am not living as a me, I guess i have to continue with my plans of a slow transition.

I would love to hear any comments If anyone has a suggestion to this puzzle.

Feel free to PM if you feel you have any questions or answers!

Emily

[JeanetteLW]

My breasts and butt are quite ample.   Of course my breasts are only a few years old, so they don't sag like a woman my age. I'm 67.  I dress male, but it's pretty obvious that my figure is like Mae West.

Randi,
 
    I like your reference to Mae West. I doubt there are very many here that can visualize the image. It would take old folks like us to do so and even at 64, Mae West was more of an icon for my parents.

[Tessa James]

I am another member of the senior choir at age 65 and agree with our friends here that age is not a barrier nor the ultimate determining factor in our success.   Desire and determination seem more important.

Our appearance is highly overrated as transgender women and as any woman within western cultures.  Standardized appearances are generally more highly valued and rewarded as stereotypically attractive people find it easier to land jobs and partners. 

There is an unspoken narrative of being such a pretty MtF person, even before HRT, that one's transition is unquestioned.  The "You're too beautiful or pretty to be a man" so of course you are trans!  Likewise our success in transition is often predicated on reaching the holy grail of passing.

Where ever you find yourself I hope you feel supported for discovering and simply being your best and most real self.  The journey of a lifetime for some of us that may start with very tentative and uncertain steps.

[Lancastrian]

I had a friend who started transition just short of her 70th birthday and was very happy with her choice.  That's several years ago but then there was a dedicated group for senior transitioners.

[DawnOday]

I am 65 and on my 5th month of estradiol. I went seeking answers for something on my mind for 37 years. Why did my first wife leave me. I learned more than likely I was not a crossdresser as I had thought all these years. I was actually transgender and I have been hiding it. I also found evidence that it may have been predetermined by the drugs administered to my mother while I was under development. I have many health problems and some genital defects. I could accept as a fluke if I had only one or two symptoms. But I have 7. I have finally gotten  control of my anger and my feelings. And I like it. If I never pass so be it. I'll continue to dress for me. And my second wife is glad I went for counseling regardless of the outcome.

[DawnOday]

Randi,
 
    I like your reference to Mae West. I doubt there are very many here that can visualize the image. It would take old folks like us to do so and even at 64, Mae West was more of an icon for my parents.

When I worked at Yamaha at Montebello, CA back in the early seventies. We had a security guard named Carl who was a lover of Mae Wests. The dude thought he was Dirty Harry with a 44 magnum on his hip.

[Donna]

I'm 64 and started HRT less than a week ago. I am looking forward to a slow change into the shape of a woman. I already feel the effects emotionally today. I felt an elated sense of Love and well being from deep within me.
I'm new at this, but I sure am going to love the ride.