A question about HRT.

[Dani2118]

I'm one of those that couldn't be me for many decades. That ended with an Aortic Disection in 2014. Now I'm disabled, but getting better. The gist of it is, all of my former coping methods are gone also! I cant hid any more! What I'm asking is what effects does HRT have on your mind, your ways of thinking. I've always worked in construction one way or another around a bunch of guys, and always felt like the woman on the job site. I'm built like a woman, Thin. Ask a woman that's worked this way also. You learn to compensate in your thinking to be manly to get the job done. Do any of you think HRT will help with that? Just wondering what it does to your head, because I have no idea! I'm clueless!

[Dena]

The blockers reduce your testosterone levels or make testosterone ineffective (depends on what's used). This often reduces the dysphoria and sex drive that you experience and is a big part of helping you feel comfortable with yourself. Estradiol on the other hand is a mixed bag. I have never felt different taking it though I like what it does to my body. Other report that estradiol can have a mental effect which varies from person to person and is somewhat dependent on the dosage. When you take a blocker, low dose estradiol would be prescribed to protect your bones from calcium loss.

You will be able to determine if it's right for you pretty fast. You will either enjoy it or hate it within a month or two of starting it, long before much in the way of physical changes occurs.

[AshleyP]

Ask a woman that's worked this way also. You learn to compensate in your thinking to be manly to get the job done. Do any of you think HRT will help with that? Just wondering what it does to your head, because I have no idea! I'm clueless!

I'm not sure that I understand your question about what HRT will help with, but I'll bet you get responses that spread across the entire spectrum. While I don't have the long term experience that Dena has, its effect on me has been much as she describes; it hasn't really had a mental impact. While I can't say that I truly "enjoy" it, I can say that I don't "hate" it. Sometimes, I wonder whether it's worth the extra risks though.

OTOH, if you consider a significant decrease in libido a "mental change" (and I don't), it certainly does that. I've only done limited research as to whether a decrease in libido is mental or physiological or a bit of both. I recognize that others have different opinions. Might be a good topic for another thread.

Hope this helps,
--AshleyP

[KayXo]

Sometimes, I wonder whether it's worth the extra risks though.

The appropriate type of estrogen given the right way and in just the right amount for you will provide plenty of benefits while keeping risks quite low. In my opinion, it's worthwhile. Not taking anything will most likely significantly reduce your quality of life.

[Dani2118]

Thank you all! This is exactly what I was wanting to know. You always hear the physical effects but not the mental, now I know why!