Effect of HRT depending on age? Both E and T

[Cailan Jerika]

Both my husband and I are planning to start HRT this summer. We're both around 50, and a lot of the discussions I've seen lately are mostly young people - teens and early 20s - who seem to be experiencing massive effects almost immediately.

How differently are we likely to experience HRT effects compared to those whose bodies are still young and more malleable? I've heard older women's voices don't drop much on T, because the vocal box is already partly calcified, and there are other effects for both T and E that are "dulled" because the body has had decades to "solidify" it's base shape.

If there's a big difference by age, is it speed at which things happen, or how extreme the reaction overall?

[Dena]

I would suspect that both of you can still expect a fair amount of changes. Yes, being younger is better but at 65 and starting with more modern HRT, I am seeing changes that didn't happen earlier. Mostly it's a matter of maintaining proper test results along with the right genetics. Just remember that puberty takes time and you are going through a second puberty. It will take a minimum of two years and more likely more to reach your bodies potential.

I am not sure how much your larynx will grow but voice is far more than that. The vocal cords become more massive causing them to vibrate at a lower frequency. This will not be affected by calcification.

[LizK]

Speaking only for myself I am MTF 53 and been on HRT for about 8 months but only 6 months at a full transition dose. I start this by saying your mileage may vary (YMMV). In other words things could be different for you this is such an individual thing.

I had no to low T for 2 years prior to starting HRT and my understanding is that getting the T down is equally as important as the getting the E levels up in MTF. In my case the Low T is as  a secondary side effect to long term medication I am already on. So a good Endo is always good.

I am at the point I can now see and feel the changes both physically and mentally. The first thing I noticed after few days was a calming effect, followed by mood swings as my body adjusted to having ever increasing amounts of E. I think for most of us that are older we do get the changes but they take a bit longer to get there. But for me the far greatest relief I got was Psychologically. I felt so much better about myself and experienced this feeling of hope that I could one day finally end the war going on inside of me. Relief from that was the quickest and started within days.

I think also my priorities are different. Age puts us in a different place in our life and for me internal peace is paramount in this journey. I don't know what your goals are but I suspect they are going to be way different to when you were 25. The Physical changes will happen, all be it slowly, given time and good health 

Liz

Edit: for clarity