HRT at 45-50 years old

[Rachel4now]

IM a MTF in my mid 40s and just started HRT and was wondering realistically

of WHAT to  expect and WHAT  NOT to expect.

I do know that some of the best times to start HRT is at puberty as far as your bone development etc.. And also between 18-26 is also good.

But back to Me I'm in my mid 40s and IM lean and thin. Eat well and exercise.
Don't drink or smoke.

Im really wondering how well is the HRT going to work for me
AS FAR AS BEING OVER 40 / MID 40s ?

I do realize everybody is different and results will be too.
but still just wondering everybody's most recent and updated opinions
from the community.

Trans news is a very new and fluid thing so again that being said just trying
to get recent and evolved thoughts of older TRANS WOMEN starting HRT from
the horses mouth.

I have tried to read as much as possible on the subject BUT I am a bit worried ON MY personnel Growth into the Woman I want to be and REALITY.


Thanks in advance
Rachel

[JeanetteLW]

Hi Rachael

  I am Jeanette, mtf 64 and on HRT (spironolactone and estradiol) for 3 months now. As you probably know already the earlier you start transitioning the better. I am a bit older than you but so far I am pleased with the results I am seeing.
About 2-3 weeks into HRT My nipples were getting tender and decided they needed to point this out to everyone. Even today they are still pointing the way. I have taken to wearing a bralette to tone this down a bit. The tenderness generally indicate that things are developing so to speak. The next thing I noticed was lumps underneath my nipple areas small and sort of donut shaped. These lumps grow and  i also noticed that the whole area around and above my nipples were getting fatty.  I used to describe them as just bumps growing on my chest but I have to admit that they are now more than mere bumps. Today at 3 months I'd have to describe my chest bumps as being small breasts.
   Most ladies here with tell you they feel calmer, more balanced on HRT. They say their sometimes severe dysphoria has become under control. As for myself I cannot say that I really had or understood their dysphoria.  I guess I did experience gender dysphoria because that was the diagnosis a psychiatrist came up with when I met her for initial mental health assessment in order to get a gender therapist. But I guess for me it wasn't that bad, probably because I managed to keep it under wraps with my life long cross-dressing.
   I can tell you that from the first dose I took of my HRT meds I have felt like it was the right thing for me to do.
I have no regret about it. I am not looking forward to dealing with the havoc my coming out to family and friends is going to cause but that is what I am hoping to get help with from gender therapy. Seeing a gender therapist is highly recommended around here as taking meds only under a doctor's care so you can be closely monitored.

Well that's enough from me. YMMV (your mileage may vary) as everyone is different. I hope you truly enjoy your personal journey.

  Hugs,
    Jeanette

[kaitylynn]

The cold hard truth...no one can tell you at all.  There really is no way to know and in the end you just have to go with what comes.  I started again at 47 and figured I would be planning for a lot of surgery...never came together that way and I have seen tremendous change on HRT so far this time.

My Endo tried to make a few educated guesses, but very little of it meant anything after a few months.  Was pretty sure that I would gain some weight and get a cup of boob...yeah, gained 20 pounds and 3 cups of boob.  Also, body hour-glassed and my hips and butt formed out nicely.  No one guessed any of it accurately and it took over a year for the changes to truly become obvious to me.

Really, the biggest gains have been to my demeanor and outlook.  I am hopeful, happy and secure for the first time in a very long time.  Even family that disagrees with my course have noted it as a very positive turn around.  This has little to do with the outside and almost all to do with a rewiring of my heart and mind.

I realize now that age has much less importance than I once thought.  There really is no "too late" as long as one is on this side of the veil.

Welcome to the site, many friendly and helpful brothers and sisters and kindred here!

[JessicaSondelli]

Hi Rachel and welcome. I am your age but don't tell anyone[emoji6] and started HRT a year ago. I have been blessed with incredible physical and mental changes and one thing is for sure it's never too late. Feel free to DM me if you have specific questions. I'm happy to help.

Hugs
Jessica


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[KathyLauren]

HRT is like planting trees.  The best time to plant a tree is ten years ago.  The second-best time to plant a tree is today.

There are quite a few of us here on Susan's who are just starting out in our late 50s or 60s.  I am 62.  I am not expecting miracles, but the results so far are encouraging.

[staciM]

Hi Rachel and welcome. I am your age but don't tell anyone[emoji6] and started HRT a year ago. I have been blessed with incredible physical and mental changes and one thing is for sure it's never too late. Feel free to DM me if you have specific questions. I'm happy to help.

Hugs
Jessica


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Jessica, I've seen your results and you should be thrilled.  You look wonderful and seem very happy in your photographs (model shoots  . )

I know we aren't allowed to speak about specific doses on here, but how would you 'classify" your dosages within that years time?

Did you start on a low dose for a few months (to ensure healthy levels) and gradually move up?
Did you start on a low dosage and move quickly to a "transition dosage"?
or...did you start on a "transition dosage" immediately?

This is purely out of curiosity because I realize everyone's results are different.

Also, FWIW, I finally have an appointment this coming week (just had my blood work done yesterday) so I expect to start HRT before next weekend if all goes well.  I'm 43, turning 44 at the end of this year.

[CarlyMcx]

I am 54, and I have been on hormones nine months.  Only one thing about MTF HRT is really for sure, and that is, the HRT is going to turn you into a woman.  The only variable is how long it is going to take.

At nine months in, I am starting to have trouble passing for male.  I put on my old male Levi's and a male T shirt to do the yard work today, and I looked in the mirror, and I looked like a girl wearing her boyfriend's clothes.

I'm not large in the breasts (38A) but I grew an amazing butt after only a few months on hormones.  My face is a work in progress, but the hormones have already given me a body like a teenage girl -- 5'7" and size 10/11.

And like others have said, the psychological benefits are wonderful.  I am far more serene and patient, and the low frustration threshold and temper I used to have have all but disappeared.  Most important, I smile every time I see myself in the mirror, and sometimes I go look at myself in the mirror just so I can see myself and smile.  Because, for the first time since childhood, I can actually see me!

[Jessie007]

Most important, I smile every time I see myself in the mirror, and sometimes I go look at myself in the mirror just so I can see myself and smile.  Because, for the first time since childhood, I can actually see me!

I am 44 and almost at the stage of speaking with an endo to start hormones (my therapists is getting a list of doctors they recommend). Your comment above put a smile on my face. I would very much like to be able to look in the mirror and recognise who is looking back.

Jessie

[HappyMoni]

I am 59 and on HRT 19 months. I have seen some physical changes like breast growth and a more curvy shape. I am more impressed with the mental changes than the physical changes. The mental change has been quite dramatic and pleasing. 99% of it, anyway.
Monica

[JessicaSondelli]

Jessica, I've seen your results and you should be thrilled.  You look wonderful and seem very happy in your photographs (model shoots  . )

I know we aren't allowed to speak about specific doses on here, but how would you 'classify" your dosages within that years time?

Did you start on a low dose for a few months (to ensure healthy levels) and gradually move up?
Did you start on a low dosage and move quickly to a "transition dosage"?
or...did you start on a "transition dosage" immediately?

This is purely out of curiosity because I realize everyone's results are different.

Also, FWIW, I finally have an appointment this coming week (just had my blood work done yesterday) so I expect to start HRT before next weekend if all goes well.  I'm 43, turning 44 at the end of this year.

Hi Staci and thank you for the kind words.

I'm on pills and started with a transition dosage but my Endo raised it twice to get my estrogen levels up. I'm now on double the startup dosage. I will have my one year checkup later this month and will request to switch to pellets. I also wanna get an orchie later this year so I can dump the nasty Spiro pills, too.

Feel free to pm me

Hugs
Jessica


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[Ms Grace]

I started HRT at age 47 almost four years ago. I've had good results, but the thing about HRT is that it's different for everyone. While age may play some role it is mostly genetic and how your body responds to the hormones. The main issue with age is that the longer you go without female HRT the more your body is likely to be effected by testosterone, and those effects are often very difficult if not impossible to reverse (at least not without surgery where that is an option). Unfortunately the only way to know with HRT is to start it and persevere with it for at least two years...it is not a magic bullet or panacea but it can make a real difference over time.

[LizK]

I started about 9 months ago and am not really at male fail but it won't take much more I don't think, colouring my hair has made a huge difference. I am B cup, but my butt has gotten bigger and my face is starting to change. My arms have begun to take on a distinctly feminie look ....Psychologically I feel great. It takes a bit longer to get going at out age but their will be changes...how big? That is entirely up to genetics....I only know my fathers side of the family, my mothers side is a complete mystery as far as genetics go.

Liz

[Sydney_NYC]

I started HRT at 43 (46 now) and HRT did absolute wonders for me. I only wished my hairline had improved more, but it's not horrible and I;m only a B cup. With my hair down you don't even notice is and I've seen cis women with worse hairlines. I may get something done to move my brow line up a little to make my eyes pop more, but generally speaking my transition went really smooth and I blend without any issues despite being over 6'5". I worked hard on my voice and that helps make a huge difference.

The most painful part was electrolysis, the rest was pretty easy for me. But like other's say, your mileage may vary.

Here is a before and after HRT (I haven't had any surgeries)

Age 42, 18 months prior to HRT, Aug 2012	Age 46, 3 years on HRT, Jan 1st, 2017

With my breast size, I'm waiting until after bottom surgery on whether or not to get breast augmentation because they often grow again after the testicles have been removed.

[DawnOday]

Actually for me, the breasts, long hair, soft hair,  electrolysis are all minor players in my transition. If I was in my 20's there is not a chemical or affirmation surgery that I would not attempt. Even to the point of shortening my legs. However being a little older than yourself my benefits are having a mental clarity I have never possessed. Having hid in plain sight for so many years the weight of all the lies and deception has finally been lifted making life today much more pleasant. Since discovering myself with the help of counseling,has answered so many questions, and starting HRT 7 months ago. I have gotten electrolysis and voice lessons

Dawn

[Rachel4now]

Wow. Thank You to everyone its really helping my defiantly helping me to see so many in my age bracket.  You all seem much more confidant than i am right now...... but that will come with time I'm sure.

Thanks, thanks  , thanks

Rachel

and keep em' coming.....

[Jessie007]

Speaking for myself, I would not use confidant as a word to describe myself (at least when it comes to being trans). But like you Rachel, seeing others in our age group is definitely helpful in becoming more confidant. So thank you for starting this topic.

Jessie

[kat69]

It's not odd to be in that age range at all.  From all the information I seen over decades of personal research, statistically most transwomen start their transition in their mid- to late-40s.  Personally I'm now 47, but I only recently started HRT just a few weeks before turning 47.  I believe that it's just a biological timing thing, where we've more than likely raised our children and mentally/physically we can no longer "live the lie".  Honestly, it was my body that told me I couldn't stay male any longer...it was giving up on me if I didn't take action.

I've already seen some changes, especially in breast development, although my man-boobs hide most of what I've now got.  Mentally though I so much better off....I'm happier, more content and less volatile...though I'm extremely emotional.