Why isn't HRT doing anything?

[MonikerPending]

Hello.

This body has been on Estradiol for over almost a year and a half <dosage removed by moderator>. It's been on Spironolactone for even longer. It has just begun taking Medroxyprogesterone a few months ago.

There are no visible changes in the face, nor in the body, save for very slight, almost undetectable breast development which ceased to develop further over a year ago. The body is not changing. We are wondering why others progress much more after a year and a half of HRT, and why we are not. At this point, we are not even confident enough to try to present as female, and the feeling of having so little accomplished despite being on hormones for so long is only adding to the dysphoria.

-Q



(P.S. For those of you who may be wondering about the use of plural pronouns and the reference to this body as a separate entity, we have Dissociative Identity Disorder, and this body is host to multiple people. My own personal pronouns differ.)

[Northern Star Girl]

Hello MonikerPending, I see that you are new here and may have questions and concerns, this is the right place for you to be to find out what others have done that may have been in your circumstances. 

***Personally, for me, my HRT transition and body changes happened slowly, It wasn't until near the end of the 1st year that things started happening... then more during the 2nd year, and I completed my 3rd year of HRT last month and everything came together.... but remember, every body reacts differently to HRT.... what you read about in others HRT timeline might not be your timeline...  patience is required even though we all want fast changes.

WELCOME to Susan's Place.  You will find this a safe and friendly place to share with others about your transition and to read about others transition and their trials, tribulations, and successes in their transition journey. 
It is nice that you have signed up so you can share with others and involve yourself with some give and take with other members.
When frustrated or if you have a successful moment in your journey you can share it here if you wish and receive support from others and offer support to others. You might even find that you will make some new friends here.  Please come in and get involved at your own pace.
Again, Welcome.
Danielle

Here are some links to the site rules and stuff that all new members should be familiar with:

Things that you should read

Site Terms of Service & Rules to Live By	Standard Terms & Definitions	Post Ranks (including when you can upload an avatar)	Cautionary Note
Reputation rules	News posting & quoting guidelines	Photo, avatars, & signature images policy	Membership Agreement

[Northern Star Girl]

OH, and another thing, MonikerPending...
... since you are new here it would be great if you could go to the Introductions  Forum and tell us about yourself and about more of your transition goals so that the other members here can be aware of your arrival here at Susan's.

[Dena]

Welcome to Susan's place. Development can vary from person to person and often we don't see the changes that other people do. There are also people who appear fairly feminine even before starting HRT but because they have seen their face as masculine for so many years, they are unable to see the femininity in their face. In my case, it took years before I was able to see my face as feminine.

In addition, sometimes doctors start patients on low dosages so development can be slow. While you aren't permitted to post dosages, you can post test results. Knowing your testosterone and estradiol levels would help us determine your doctors treatment plan.

I noticed you mentioned DID so you might find the following link of interest.
https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,218553.0.html

[Julie -2010]

I been on HRT for 13 months.  I don't see much physical changes.  My breast are bigger but probably about a AA to A.  I don't see much other changes either.  Yes my skin is softer and dryer (need a lot of lotion).  But I'm still very happy with where I'm at.

Don't worry and just live your life the best you can. 

[MonikerPending]

There are also people who appear fairly feminine even before starting HRT but because they have seen their face as masculine for so many years, they are unable to see the femininity in their face.

This body, and especially the face, as Samantha had put it, is...

"... like the child of Emperor Palpatine and a Neanderthal, who grew up to become the main character in a horrendously bad bootleg of DOOM."

This body is not even remotely feminine...

While you aren't permitted to post dosages, you can post test results.

My apologies.

I noticed you mentioned DID so you might find the following link of interest.
https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,218553.0.html

Thank you for the link.

-Q

[PurplePelican]

In the end, total length of time on hormones is kinda meaningless.. Length of time with T sufficiently suppressed and E high enough is a better guide - it's not uncommon for this balance to take 6 or more months to truly achieve.

A lack of results after this time suggest to me that your E levels are not sufficient, I'd also be talking to my doctor about it - and seeking a second opinion.

[MonikerPending]

In the end, total length of time on hormones is kinda meaningless.. Length of time with T sufficiently suppressed and E high enough is a better guide - it's not uncommon for this balance to take 6 or more months to truly achieve.

A lack of results after this time suggest to me that your E levels are not sufficient, I'd also be talking to my doctor about it - and seeking a second opinion.

I don't remember the exact numbers from this body's most recent test, but I do remember that the amount of estrogen was about as high as that of an average cis woman at the peak prior to ovulation.

-Q