Starting HRT after 60?

[Amie June]

I'd love to hear how others have done with starting HRT later in life. How is the adjustment to taking the medications? And how does it affect your overall quality of life? I have some worries that I'll feel awful most days as I get used to their effects and this may interfere with my desire to follow through.

Thank you!

Lindy Lou

[KathyLauren]

I started at age 62.

There was a very minor psychological adjustment in having to take daily prescription meds.  I never have before.  But I quickly realized that I was probably the only 62-year-old in Nova Scotia who didn't take meds, so no big deal.  I take my spiro daily, so it quickly just became part of my daily routine.  I take my E by patches, which last three and a half days each, so remembering to change them is a nuisance.  I sometimes forget and have to do it a day late.

The physical reaction is entirely positive.  My only side-effect is low blood pressure from the spiro.  I manage that by drinking lots of water and not standing up quickly.  The intended physical and psychological effects have been great.  I'd be happier if my boobs would develop more, but I may have hit the end of the road there.

My quality of life is 1000% better than it was!  I feel whole in a way I never did before.  Most of that is probably attributable to RLE, which I started three months after I started HRT.  The hormones definitely help, though.

If you are truly trans, you will not feel awful.  Because of this, some therapists use HRT as a diagnostic.  Most doctors will start you on a low dose, with frequent monitoring of blood levels to ensure that you body is tolerating the meds appropriately, before increasing you to a full transition dose.

[Michelle_P]

I started at age 62. The first  changes were just the usual  stuff for spiro, a diuretic with anti-androgen side effects. About 3-4 weeks in I started to feel periods of great mental peace or calm.   That eventually became my "new normal" after about 4 months.

Physical changes picked up then as well.

Therapy also helped, as did going full time. I'm 64 now, and in spite of recent ups and downs am doing well. 


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[Deborah]

I started at 55 and all but one thing that has come from HRT has been positive.  The best thing was just the psychological effect which virtually eliminated raging dysphoria and depression.  This obviously has had a very positive effect on all facets of life.

The only negative effect was dehydration and peeing a lot from the spiro.  Interestingly, in the past six months or so, despite still being on a pretty high dose, those two bad effects seemed to have greatly lessened.  I'm not sure if that's due to my body adapting itself or instead just to me becoming adept at knowing how much salt and fluid to take in every day to keep things in balance.

Health wise there have been zero negative effects and overall my health has improved a lot. That's mainly due to the fact that since I feel good and not depressed I'm taking care of myself and stopped smoking, stopped drinking, started exercising, lost weight, and adopted a really healthy diet.  So at least as of right now at age 58 my health is very good and I don't have to take any medications, other than the HRT.

I also stopped fighting with my wife all the time because my underlying chronic anger is gone.


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[Jessica]

Hi Linda Lou 🙋 I started hrt last July at age 61.  Other than making sure I hydrate enough because of the spiro, everything seems right and internal conflicts have lessened with the realization this is what I've needed for years.  Deborah is right about calming down.  My wife was the one that pointed me towards help.  She said I always seemed angry (which I didn't see in myself).  We get along great in general but even better now.  She even asks me to join her for pedicures.
In the boob department.... they are there and I feel them growing.
All in all, this was a good choice for me.
Smiles, Jessica 💁

[Amie June]

I'd like to respond to everyone who answered this question individually, but will just respond in general with a big, warm THANK YOU! It was so nice to hear from others who have done this at this stage in life, AND that you're all doing so well. I'm happy for you all. You've all taken away most of my fears/concerns/worries, and the detailed feedback is very very helpful. I've been in therapy for 3 months and know I'm getting closer to asking for a referral. I know in my heart that I would feel incredibly happy if I could transition. Some days I wonder if would feel too happy - what a problem to have KathyLauren, I've been taking 2 meds for years and do not like the idea of taking any - so I understand. There was a time I refused to take aspirin.

I promise to check back after my first week on HRT. This could be my goal for 2018.

Lots of hugs,

Lindy Lou

[Jessica]

I'd like to respond to everyone who answered this question individually, but will just respond in general with a big, warm THANK YOU! It was so nice to hear from others who have done this at this stage in life, AND that you're all doing so well. I'm happy for you all. You've all taken away most of my fears/concerns/worries, and the detailed feedback is very very helpful. I've been in therapy for 3 months and know I'm getting closer to asking for a referral. I know in my heart that I would feel incredibly happy if I could transition. Some days I wonder if would feel too happy - what a problem to have KathyLauren, I've been taking 2 meds for years and do not like the idea of taking any - so I understand. There was a time I refused to take aspirin.

I promise to check back after my first week on HRT. This could be my goal for 2018.

Lots of hugs,

Lindy Lou

Good luck Linda Lou!  It gets less scary with every step towards where you want to be.
Please keep us posted on your progress.
Hugs, Jessica 💁‍♀️

[DawnOday]

I'd love to hear how others have done with starting HRT later in life. How is the adjustment to taking the medications? And how does it affect your overall quality of life? I have some worries that I'll feel awful most days as I get used to their effects and this may interfere with my desire to follow through.

Thank you!

Lindy Lou

Hi Lindy. I am a 66 year old MTF who only figured things out a few years ago. Now on HRT for 16 months I feel more at ease than ever. At our age, we had many roadblocks in our way, including lack of information. Now armed with what limited information there is we are making progress. I found out my being transgender was because of medical malpractice with the use of DES synthetic female hormones administered to my mother while I was in the womb. Many of us at our age were victims. About 1.5 million. DES was prescribed to prevent miscarriage. This was done without testing because it was cheap. Forty years later it was found to be ineffective for this purpose. Meanwhile we were inundated with female hormones at 3,000 to 5,000 times the amount of a single birth control pill for about 7 months as our brains developed. We had already had our bodies formed as male. Or as in my case, almost formed as male. We then had to live with the limited knowledge available and the knowledge made us outcasts. I can tell you that it is a blessing to finally be at peace with yourself. As to the meds. I take 15 a day, without them, I don't live. Half say they will make me tired, a couple will make me bleed, some will effect mental acuity. Some will affect my kidneys if not monitored. Well I have been alive and relatively well since "93" when discovered. But the biggest revelation is I would have less of a chance or heart disease, valve deformation, late descending testicles. diabetes, depression, self loathing, if not for DES. I am lucky in that I have a good health plan, (kaiser) My Doc is fabulous, My Psych therapist was fabulous and my Speech and lifestyle coach are fabulous. My support group is fabulous, My family has been fabulous. My electrologist is fabulous. Last but not least the wonderful participants of this forum have all made it easier to cope. Many fine people here.  http:\\desaction.org

[Jessica]

 I found out my being transgender was because of medical malpractice with the use of DES synthetic female hormones administered to my mother while I was in the womb. Many of us at our age were victims. About 1.5 million. DES was prescribed to prevent miscarriage. This was done without testing because it was cheap. Forty years later it was found to be ineffective for this purpose. Meanwhile we were inundated with female hormones at 3,000 to 5,000 times the amount of a single birth control pill for about 7 months as our brains developed. We had already had our bodies formed as male.

I am also a causality of DES and I also think it was criminal of the drug companies and doctors.  I was robbed of a life without balance until now.  The chance to be a male without dysphoria or a woman that gives life as a mother is lost to me.  Big emotional issues there.
Hugs, Jessica 💁‍♀️

[Amie June]

DawnOday, thanks so much for sharing your story. I found it very moving and it made me wonder, for the first time in my life, if my mother was given DES too. I don't have access to her medical records, and she's deceased, but I'm sure this was a possibility. It's inspirational that you're creating a meaningful life for yourself, despite your medical issues. It actually gives me courage to move forward - thank you! I need all the nudging I can get. I have some chronic health issues but I don't want them to hold me back. Living as a woman means to much to me.

Big big hugs,

Lindy Lou

[Amie June]

Forty years later it was found to be ineffective for this purpose. Meanwhile we were inundated with female hormones at 3,000 to 5,000 times the amount of a single birth control pill for about 7 months as our brains developed. We had already had our bodies formed as male.

Jessica, I find this concept fascinating. The possibility that there might be an explanation for why I never feel at home in my body and why I have a confused identity is a lot to take in at this point in my life. Thanks for giving me another piece of the puzzle. Wow, do I have something to think about as I fall asleep tonight

[Deborah]

My mother took DES too and I'm sure of that because she told me a while back.

The connection is pretty clear but is not definitively proven.  Unfortunately, the ones with money don't want anything to do with paying for the issue to be studied.  The pharmaceutical and insurance companies won't talk about it at all.


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[Devlyn]

Stockholm syndrome. Big Pharma made us trans, we trust Big Pharma to fix it for us. 

Lindy, I started at 56, same thing as everyone else. You pee a lot, you get dizzy. It's not a huge deal.


Hugs, Devlyn

[davina61]

well I am getting my first meds tomorrow at 62 , BRING IT ON

[Deborah]

Stockholm syndrome. Big Pharma made us trans, we trust Big Pharma to fix it for us. 

Lindy, I started at 56, same thing as everyone else. You pee a lot, you get dizzy. It's not a huge deal.


Hugs, Devlyn

I would settle for big pharma owning up to their negligence and paying for our trans treatment.

I know, it's never going to happen in this land of Ayn Rand.


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[Dani]

I started HRT at age 65. I would like to have started at age 16. But that is another story.

[Amie June]

You pee a lot, you get dizzy. It's not a huge deal.

Thanks for the succinct response. And the laugh. Now I'm ready

[Amie June]

well I am getting my first meds tomorrow at 62 , BRING IT ON

Congrats!! Good for you. I'll be 62 next October. It's so reassuring to know there others jumping into the hormone soup beyond 55. There should be plenty of time for us to enjoy the benefits.

[Amie June]

well I am getting my first meds tomorrow at 62 , BRING IT ON

Davina, how are you doing on your new medications?! I'd love to hear how you feel. I hope you're still optimistic and ready to keep moving forward

Lindy Lou