Six weeks in

[Tasha.McKenna]

I started HRT a little over 6 weeks ago, transdermal estradiol plus finasteride and spiro. Two weeks ago, we doubled the dose of E. Because of site rules I can't say the exact dose, but the information is easily accessible from online medical publications and what I'm currently taking is apparently the "average" MtF dose, but not the "max" dose which is about twice that.

Also, my doctor is a hormone expert (she literally wrote the book on menopause) but not a specialist in gender transitions per se. On the other hand, it sounds like what we're doing is fairly typical.

My main concern right now is that I can't tell whether or not it's working.

Oh, there have been a few effects, but they are all neutral or slightly negative - loss of muscle tone, libido, and so on. So far I have not noticed any changes in mood, fat distribution, breast size, body hair, scalp hair, skin sensitivity, etc. I realize that some of those take quite a bit longer (especially at my age), but I figure I should have noticed *something* by now.

The one thing I did notice is on the second day, my skin tingled as if I had a cold, except it was a little more pleasant. However, that sensation went away and has not returned.

Do I simply need to be patient? Or is there more that I need to do? I'd hate for all this to be a dead end...

[Dena]

I am not sure but nipple sensitivity tends to be the first thing you notice. I suspect because of the slow start it may be 2 weeks to a month before you notice something. The question is what are your total estrogen and estradiol levels? That will tell us if your levels are high enough to notice much in the way of changes yet.

[JeanetteLW]

  Hi Tasha,

   I think you are experiencing YMMV at this point. A little more patience may be in order.  For me I think it was right about 6  or 7 weeks that I noticed things starting to happen as evidenced by what I wrote in my first post here. I said...

"That was about 7 weeks ago. I knew the effects of it were slow and felt I could back out if I got too scared, But I didn't. I like what was happening, I was excited! Of course in 7 weeks not much had actually happened except for a little more fattyness on my chest and a soreness under my nipples which had decided to stand up proud. "

Yup those were my words at 7 weeks. It was working for me, I could tell.

  It may just be that it is going to take you a little bit longer. Do not despair just yet. I wanted things to happen sooner but I had ti wait until they did and they will for your too. I can remember the anxiety of waiting for something to happen and wondering when it was going to. Hang in there Tasha, It will happen.

Hugs,
   Jeanette

[AshleyP]

My main concern right now is that I can't tell whether or not it's working.

Oh, there have been a few effects, but they are all neutral or slightly negative - loss of muscle tone, libido, and so on. So far I have not noticed any changes in mood, fat distribution, breast size, body hair, scalp hair, skin sensitivity, etc. I realize that some of those take quite a bit longer (especially at my age), but I figure I should have noticed *something* by now.

I'm an older transitioner, too. I'm taking pills and started on an "average" dosage about five months ago. I think I'm on the wrong end of the YMMV scale as I remember feeling exactly the same as you at the three month mark. In the last month, I have noticed a few things, including two surprising developments. I'll detail those in another post when I have a little more time. I will note that I still haven't experienced the nipple/areola sensitivity that most say is the first sign.

Hopefully YMMV for you will be more positive than mine. And, yes, be patient.

All the best,
--AshleyP

[SadieBlake]

I'd be on the other end of the scale, I'm on im injected estradiol valerate and noticed first emotional effects within the first couple of weeks and sore nipples & breast tissue within a month. By then, however i was already at 700 pg/ml E and 12 ng/ml T. We had to cut my dose to 1/4 of the normal dose to arrive at normal feminine levels and I haven't needed Spiro, estrogen alone suppressed T to low end of female range.