How to measure HRT progress

[Bari Jo]

Hey folks, I've been on HRT now for just about 3 months.  I honestly can't tell if anything is happening.  My nipples are still sore, but there's been no growth.  I kinda feel like they've gotten smaller even.  I know it's early, just want to know what to look for as afirmation that this process is working,  I feel like my GD is coming back since I'm not moving forward, or maybe I still am, but don't notice.  Mixed up here.

Bari Jo

[AshleyP]

Hey folks, I've been on HRT now for just about 3 months.  I honestly can't tell if anything is happening.  My nipples are still sore, but there's been no growth.  I kinda feel like they've gotten smaller even.  I know it's early, just want to know what to look for as afirmation that this process is working,  I feel like my GD is coming back since I'm not moving forward, or maybe I still am, but don't notice.  Mixed up here.

I asked the same question at the three month mark.   All I was seeing was softer morning erections and perhaps a little drier skin, though I wasn't sure it was from the colder weather. I didn't even have the widely reported sensitive nipples. Oh, yeah, less ejaculate. Things really picked up towards the end of the fourth month for me. As we say, YMMV.

All the best,
--AshleyP

[Bari Jo]

I asked the same question at the three month mark.   All I was seeing was softer morning erections and perhaps a little drier skin, though I wasn't sure it was from the colder weather. I didn't even have the widely reported sensitive nipples. Oh, yeah, less ejaculate. Things really picked up towards the end of the fourth month for me. As we say, YMMV.

All the best,
--AshleyP

I haven't even had an erection in 2.5 months, which I love.  I know that part is working just nothing else.  I'm worried that when I was younger I took aromatase inhibitors and that's messing up transitioning.  I thought those were for only converting t to e, not killing off e.  Worried, depressed.  I hope you are right Ashley.

Bari Jo

[Charlotte F]

I have been on HRT for 2.5 months.  For me the physical changes have been some minor swelling to the breast area & permanently erect, sore nipples and my skin is much softer and less oily.  Mentally the dysphoria has generally subsided and I am far less aggressive - I wasn't really aggressive before but suffered badly when driving and that has stopped.  Erections had all but stopped and libido was down to pretty much nothing

I thought these changes were fairly insignificant until I had a problem with a change in my meds which has pretty much led to me detransitioning over the last couple of weeks.  It has been awful - my skin felt horrible and constantly dirty not to mention the acne that was starting to develop.  The spontaneous erections and libido returned.  Worst of all though was the return of dysphoria, depression and an angry aggression like I've never had before

Luckily things seem to be stabilising again now but what I have realised is how big these small changes actually are even if they don't appear like massive things on the surface.  As body changes take a couple of years or more in cis girls, I guess the more noticeable physical changes will start to happen in the next few months

[warlockmaker]

I remember thinking the same many years ago. HRT physical effects varies from one person to another but the first thing I noticed was very tender nipples. Its important that you use a doctor/endo who fully understands TG mtf, a normal Dr or endo tends to keep your E levels at cis female level. The other ladies, who have been on hrt for many years, on this forum, were so helpful when I started, l as I was concerned by my high E results. I understand we need these higher levels to encourage the physical feminisation.

The greatest change for me, which I noticed in the first 3 months, was my mental perception  and my significant increase in empathy.

[Ellement_of_Freedom]

I'm coming up to 2 years on HRT and still noticing new changes. Try not to worry and not think about it. You will change but it's going to take a very long time. I agree with warlockmaker too, find yourself a doctor who knows their stuff. I'm lucky that my doctor is transgender as well and she aims for a generous amount of E through an implant every 6 months as well as my daily oral dosage. I also think the potent T blocker she put me on has made a world of difference.

My first doctor had me on low dosages of everything and the changes weren't happening.

[Dani]

Unfortunately, HRT is a very slow process. Think of molasses in January. Slower than a snail race. Real noticeable results are measured in years, not months.

Yes, tender nipples are a first sign that something is changing. Many of us report about 60% breast growth in the first year and another 25% the next year. It takes about 3 to 5 years before we fully develop to our full genetic potential. Teenage girls do not develop over night. Expect the same unless you are in a hurry and get a BA right away.

[Bari Jo]

I'm coming up to 2 years on HRT and still noticing new changes. Try not to worry and not think about it. You will change but it's going to take a very long time. I agree with warlockmaker too, find yourself a doctor who knows their stuff. I'm lucky that my doctor is transgender as well and she aims for a generous amount of E through an implant every 6 months as well as my daily oral dosage. I also think the potent T blocker she put me on has made a world of difference.

My first doctor had me on low dosages of everything and the changes weren't happening.

I think the doctor is fine.  Her business is only trans clients.  My initial e value before pellets was 185, t was forgotten at the lab, so we stuck with the same spiro dose till the next test, which is three weeks down the road from now.  Yes, those are my initial because of I was heavily into diy.  I'm including the diy time in my time estimates since my doctor knows the dosages I was doing and they are standard.  I switched to pellets just so I wouldn't have to think about my next e pill, and I like the idea of it in me now, no choice but to ride it out.  Psychologically that's needed in my head.

I'll stick it out, frustrated, it sounds like others go through the same lull at around the same mark.  I will say I do have a calmness which is nice.  It has also brought down my GD considerably.  I won't say how I was, but I would run back to my doctor if I thought that was coming back like it was.  I just am frustrated that it feels like I'm coasting with no destination in sight.

I could let the breast growth take decades as I've never had GD based on that, and would be fine with an a cup.  I'm only 5'6" anyway, an a wouldn't be totally out of place.  I want my face to be softer, skin softer, more feminine, etc.  if my face could talk, and tell me it's changing.  Oh you know what I mean.

Bari Jo

[rmaddy]

Disappointment with HRT usually comes from unrealistic expectations for HRT.  You will undergo changes for 3-5 years.  Think of how long it takes for estrogen to make a woman out of an adolescent girl, and she doesn't even have the issue of prior testosterone to overcome.

If you read posts here, people talk about changes in days to weeks.  Their story to tell, I suppose, but its a marathon, not a sprint. 

Let it go, if you can.  Just remember it is ongoing and really quite early in the process. 

[kanad3]

HRT is a slow process and it's mostly in a 1-2 years when u look back at photos that you'll see the difference.

[Devlyn]

Unfortunately, HRT is a very slow process. Think of molasses in January. Slower than a snail race. Real noticeable results are measured in years, not months.

Yes, tender nipples are a first sign that something is changing. Many of us report about 60% breast growth in the first year and another 25% the next year. It takes about 3 to 5 years before we fully develop to our full genetic potential. Teenage girls do not develop over night. Expect the same unless you are in a hurry and get a BA right away.

Oh, the humanity! Here in Boston we can't help but think of molasses in January.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Molasses_Flood 

Hugs, Devlyn

[Bari Jo]

HRT is a slow process and it's mostly in a 1-2 years when u look back at photos that you'll see the difference.

ACK, Alrighty, didn't realize it's was that slow to notice.  I'll hang in there.

Bari Jo

[IzzyC]

I expected to follow the norm that is that graph that people often link, or at least something akin to it.

Fate, it would seem, thinks differently. Everything is running 4-5 months ahead of that graph.

I'm 1.5 months in and my chest is swollen or something, itchy, and my nips hurt and shirts are a pain. I have to walk down stairs slowly, or hold my shirt out in front of me or else I have problems.

The friend of mine that I came out to didn't have quick results herself she said. Truly is YMMV.

[KayXo]

I think that if after about 3-4 months on HRT (or since last change), there is absolutely no breast growth and in general, other things are slow coming, a change is justified. But, you need to discuss this with your doctor, as always.

[Roll]

Also remember that when you see yourself everyday, you are far less likely to notice the gradual changes! Not just with HRT, but with everything both regarding yourself and things around you. When I first started dropping a lot of weight, I'd look in the mirror and just wonder why I didn't look thinner. But every time I'd see someone I hadn't seen in a few months their first comment would always be "Oh my god you've lost a ton of weight".

[Bari Jo]

Also remember that when you see yourself everyday, you are far less likely to notice the gradual changes! Not just with HRT, but with everything both regarding yourself and things around you. When I first started dropping a lot of weight, I'd look in the mirror and just wonder why I didn't look thinner. But every time I'd see someone I hadn't seen in a few months their first comment would always be "Oh my god you've lost a ton of weight".

Thanks Roll, yes, I am having those experiences.  I've lost 32 lbs is 4 months.  I'm not a skinny girl as I want to be, but am not fat anymore by any means.

Bari Jo

[Bari Jo]

I think that if after about 3-4 months on HRT (or since last change), there is absolutely no breast growth and in general, other things are slow coming, a change is justified. But, you need to discuss this with your doctor, as always.

I talked with my doctor.  She thinks it's too early to tell if a change is needed.  In a few weeks I have another test scheduled and we will know then.

Also the question about aromatase inhibitors, she says no worries on that.  Typically the do break their bonds within 48 hours, but even if they didn't the feminization process doesn't rely on them.  That's good news for me.

Bari Jo

[rmaddy]

Doctors aren't going to be interested in testing over frequently.  We transfolk often want to know our levels at any given moment, but they understand the long view, and the therepeutic range is broad and easily maintained for the most part.

[Julia1996]

I've been on hrt for 2 years.  Most of the really noticible changes for me , increased breast size, my hips and butt filling out and my thighs filling out only started happening during the second year. And since it's only been 2 years I haven't even reached the full effects yet. It is totally slow. But there's no way to make it go faster or believe me I would have done it.

[Bari Jo]

I'm probably moving at the quickest I can.  Once the beard is clear, I may start presenting as Bari Jo.  I can't wait for that!  So it'll take a while to clear it, but hopefully hrt will make my face look more feminine by then.

BTW, throughout hrt and losing weight, I've gone from a size 10 men's show to a size 9 ladies.  I'm not complaining there, happy girl here indeed.

Bari Jo