Started MTF HRT, just wanted to discuss a few things.

[AutumnGurl81]

Hi everyone

I'm super excited because I started HRT on the 2nd and finally stepping down the path I should've been on long ago. Of course since I realized this is what I've wanted, I have been looking over many forums topics, ->-bleeped-<-, pictures, common questions, etc. I started on AA's, and after two weeks had E thrown in, so I'm slowly starting to see some interesting changes; soft skin, hair growth seems a bit slower.  I just turned 36, am 5'11" and got down to 155 before starting, I used to lift quite a bit, and consider myself athletic. My diet has been less than what I need to help with muscle loss, but healthy and plenty of water/electrolytes. I haven't lifted in 6 months, the only exercise I do is running (3 miles, 4 days a week) and no weight leg workouts (squats, hips, etc.) with some stretching before and after. Plan on starting Yoga a little later ) Looking ahead, I want to wait at least 2 years before considering surgery of any kind so I can see the full effects of the HRT before making any decisions. What I'm thinking now, nose and chin. The crappy part is that my nose probably would've been okay if I didn't get punched right there when I was a teen.

Anyways, I know that YMMV and everyone seems to have sometimes, drastic varying experiences. I think my biggest fear is that I won't look feminine in the face, or my body won't soften like a woman's. I've seen sooo many different results, and though I feel I'm older for transition, I also feel like my health and physical shape should (hopefully) help. For anyone in my age range-or any age for that matter, or similar situation with similar experiences of any kind I would love to get your perspective, especially those who have recently started as well. I've definitely lost muscle mass and bulk, but my arms, mainly triceps and forearms are still pretty cut. I feel like my shoulders, traps, and neck are still kind of gross and too large. Obviously I rip myself apart, but the truth still stands if I'm not fitting in certain bra sizes, or shirts (my back seems soooo wide and meaty because of my lats, which I don't use). So, just curious who's seen results from a similar perspective and what they've been like?

-Autumn

[LexiDreamer]

Obviously I rip myself apart, but the truth still stands if I'm not fitting in certain bra sizes, or shirts (my back seems soooo wide and meaty because of my lats, which I don't use).

I'm 42 and have been on HRT for about 2.5 years. I'm about 6' 1" and weigh in at about 170lbs on most days. (Pre-HRT was about 185-190)

I went from a men's shirt size of large to medium, which is women's X-Large to Large.

My bra band size went from a 38 to a 34. I literally lost 4 inches around my rib cage.

I have always had pretty wide shoulders, mostly due to joining the Army at age 19 and I was just as worried about it as you are.

Trust me... while no one would say I'm slender and petite, my upper body doesn't have much of a manly shape anymore and people tell me all the time how feminine my shoulders look.

Give it time, as your body starts adapting to the Estradiol, that upper body mass will start to shrink and your frame will compact with it.

Enjoy the ride!

-Lexi



*** Any suggestions I make should never be used as a substitute for licensed medical advice ***
*** All of my personal pharmaceutical experiences I share, have been explicitly supervised by a licensed medical professional ***
   

[I Am Jess]

Hi Autumn -  I'm a little older than you but one thing to remember is that we are always our own worst critic.  I started my transition almost 3 tears ago and I had many of the same concerns that you have.  I was 53 years old, 6'2" tall and weighed about 230 pounds.  I just knew that I wouldn't ever be able to pass and frankly didn't care because I knew transitioning was the only thing I could do.  For me, HRT has been a lifesaver and I am so glad I took that leap of faith. 

Now at almost 57 I have finally started to lose muscle mass and I've been able to drop down to 193 pounds (I still have 15 more to go).  Everyone advised to wait at least 2 years before getting any surgeries to allow HRT to work but I was a bit impatient being as old as I was.  After 6 months I had some minor FFS and a breast augmentation (500 cc Mentor Memory Gel Medium Profile Plus.)  I am glad that I didn't wait because it changed my appearance and how I felt about myself tremendously. 

I am still experiencing changes in my body and expect them to continue for another 3-5 years.  I could describe the changes but sometimes a picture is worth a thousand words.  So here is a side comparison from the day I started HRT 3 years ago with how I look today.



And here is a look at full body shots from about 6 months before I started transition compared to one from earlier this month.  The only other surgery I've had besides the minor FFS and BA is GRS about a year and a half ago.



Has Lexi said...."Enjoy the ride"  It's an E ticket for sure......

[AnneK]

Your photos certainly give some of us hope.  Back when I was into crossdressing, I was quite passable, but nowhere near your "today".

[KathyLauren]

Hi, Autumn!  Congratulations on starting HRT!

Don't worry about your face for a while.  After I was on HRT for about 5 months or so, I was putting on lipstick one day and suddenly realized that I didn't recognize those lips.  They had totally changed, seemingly overnight (more realistically over a week probably).  Same with my eyes and my cheeks.  The changes are subtle, but now when I look in the mirror, I see a woman as long as I ignore my hairline.  That E is pretty amazing stuff.

It is a good plan to wait a couple of years.  At least then, you'll see the results and will have a better idea what needs changing.

Age-wise, you are probably right in the middle of the range, statistically.  They say the most common age to transition is 35-50.  There are lots of us who only figured this stuff out in our 50s and 60s.  I started HRT at age 62. 

Yes, sizing clothes, especially bras, can be tricky for us trans women.  I am mostly a 10, though it varies with the garment.  For tops, I am a large; for bottoms, I am a medium.  For bras, I don't know what I am.  I wear large sports bras.  I am probably close to a 38AA, but the one time I found such a thing and tried it on, it was way too big!    I'm planning to get properly fitted (or at least measured) tomorrow.  I might need something like a 36AA with an extender.

[AnamethatstartswithE]

Hello,

I am about 5 months on hrt, I even posted an update  earlier this week.
https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,233288.0.html
I started hrt about a month before turning 35, so I'm pretty close to you in age. I do a lot of running, so I never was that muscular, but I have debulked a lot. I went from a women's xl to a women's l sometime this winter, which means I have several women's cut race t shirts that are too big for me now.
My guess is that if you were an athletic looking guy you'll probably be an athletic looking girl. Good luck and enjoy the ride.

[AnneK]

Yes, sizing clothes, especially bras, can be tricky for us trans women.  I am mostly a 10, though it varies with the garment.  For tops, I am a large; for bottoms, I am a medium.  For bras, I don't know what I am.  I wear large sports bras.  I am probably close to a 38AA, but the one time I found such a thing and tried it on, it was way too big!    I'm planning to get properly fitted (or at least measured) tomorrow.  I might need something like a 36AA with an extender.

You should get yourself to a proper bra shop to be fitted.  Here's a link to where I buy mine.
http://secretsfromyoursister.com/

[AnneK]

I started hrt about a month before turning 35

I was in my late 30s (about 25 years ago), when I was into full cross dressing.  The woman who helped me with it also helped some trans women.  I wish I'd started transitioning then, but back in those days it was a much more involved process and I don't think the results were as good as today.  Perhaps Dena could add more to that.

[Anne Blake]

Hi Autumn,

Be patient, there is hope. I started well past your young age and have been in some form of transition for a couple of years now. Like you, I was quite fit and had been doing some significant lifting up until I realized that I needed to transition if I wanted to continue living. At first I did not believe that I could ever pass, my face was too masculine and my shoulder too beefy. There was no way that I would ever wear a sleeveless top. Two years later and I feel very comfortable in strappy sundresses all summer. I have grown to like the image shown in my avatar, not bad for a 69 year old woman (imho, lol).

Have some patience, your body will morph and your emotions will allow acceptance of yourself.

Tia Anne

[Shellie Hart]

Anyways, I know that YMMV and everyone seems to have sometimes, drastic varying experiences. I think my biggest fear is that I won't look feminine in the face, or my body won't soften like a woman's. I've seen sooo many different results, and though I feel I'm older for transition, I also feel like my health and physical shape should (hopefully) help. For anyone in my age range-or any age for that matter, or similar situation with similar experiences of any kind I would love to get your perspective, especially those who have recently started as well. I've definitely lost muscle mass and bulk, but my arms, mainly triceps and forearms are still pretty cut. I feel like my shoulders, traps, and neck are still kind of gross and too large. Obviously I rip myself apart, but the truth still stands if I'm not fitting in certain bra sizes, or shirts (my back seems soooo wide and meaty because of my lats, which I don't use). So, just curious who's seen results from a similar perspective and what they've been like?

-Autumn

I guess I am one of the odd ones here as HRT has changed one main thing for me after nearly two years. Yes, I have had some shrinkage in my upper half and a fair amount of fat added to my caboose. But for some reason I have grown full C-cup breasts (I was almost completely flat when I started) that are growing again because of new pain in recent weeks. And they have become really heavy recently.  I wish my face would change some but at 43 I might not get much there (even though I have been told I look different). Lots of people insist I have lost weight but I think it is because my new breast projection keeps my shirt off my stomach so much. I guess an hour glass shape (when still skinny) causes that. Still, I wish I had a lot of change to my face, not boobs that are now noticeable no matter how I dress. YMMV is so true....

[AutumnGurl81]

It's very inspiring to read these stories and see how some of you've changed, thank you for sharing! I definitely hoping for a proportionate body, anyone notice when that started to kick in? (female fat-dist) I'll feel like I can eat normally whenever that is, it'll be nice not worry so much about counting calories and protein intake-but people seem to get different results there too. But I also want to feed my body if it needs it, I just want to do it at the right time, and not get fattened in male places. I am concerned with my face, but keeping my fingers crossed (oh forgot to mention I've had two laser sessions, going in for the third next month, leaving 3 more)..I suppose I wouldn't see anything noticeable there until about 6-12 months anyhow.

I know it's pretty much a waiting game from here on out, and I have my expectations, but my main concern-bearing in mind there is no perfect situation-is to be comfortable in my own body before I come out to everyone I know.  I've come out to everyone close to me (about 5 people, minus my two daughters who I plan to tell at the end of summer (they're young)), but no one else knows. I'll do whatever work I have to for getting their and sustainment, I just want to do it right (I suppose that's a ref to getting a fat butt and legs-b-c breasts would also be nice, but I don't wanna ask for too much..just wish maybe).

Jess, Anne & Lexi congrats on an amazing transformation, and Aname, I hope I get your curves! I'm also hoping I lose a half an inch in height.

P.S. My nipples have been tender randomly, and I usually massage them gently and the tenderness more or less goes away. Also my left is usually more tender than the right, is that normal?

[KathyLauren]

P.S. My nipples have been tender randomly, and I usually massage them gently and the tenderness more or less goes away. Also my left is usually more tender than the right, is that normal?

Your nipple ternderness is right on schedule.  It's usually he first symptom people notice.  It is totally normal for one to wake up before the other.  They also may grow at slightly different rates.  And which one grows more may alternate on subsequent growth spurts.

[AutumnGurl81]

Your nipple ternderness is right on schedule.  It's usually he first symptom people notice.  It is totally normal for one to wake up before the other.  They also may grow at slightly different rates.  And which one grows more may alternate on subsequent growth spurts.

Thank you kind of a relief to know.

Here is me right before starting HRT.

https://imgur.com/u6XN6Qz

[AnamethatstartswithE]

I definitely hoping for a proportionate body, anyone notice when that started to kick in? (female fat-dist) I'll feel like I can eat normally whenever that is, it'll be nice not worry so much about counting calories and protein intake-but people seem to get different results there too.
...
and Aname, I hope I get your curves!

I really noticed my shape aroun the three month mark, my waist actually was the first to change.

Full disclosure, I've always had wideish hips, and it seems somehow that the hips stayed the same, the area above and below just curvified.

I actually lost a bunch of weight my first month, I think I just was no longer full of stress hormones, but ymmv.

[AutumnGurl81]

So wierd, in the last two days I've gotten ridiculously hungry, nearly around the clock.