Arms too long, shoulders too wide..?

[SkyIndica]

I'm 21 years old currently, and I've heard that around 23-25 the hips lock and all other masculine attributes will settle permanently, so I'm looking to begin hrt as soon as I can. I'm of black descent, and have known that blacks usually have more muscle mass than other ethnicities, scientifically speaking, and that sort of bums me out because I see black transwomen look more masculine than other ethnically defined transwomen.

Anyways

My arms are about 26 inches from my shoulder to my wrist, plus my hands which are 8 inches from my wrist to the tip of my middle finger (34in total)
That translates to about 84cm
The average women's arm length is 71cm
That's 13cm longer, my arms are.

My shoulders, aren't huge, but I'm really self conscious about it too. They're 17 inches measuring from muscle to muscle. Measuring from the ends of my shoulder bones; they are about 15 inches.
For the average adult female (18+), shoulders range from 15 inches to just under 17 inches. Shoulder size varies in women due to fat storage, however, I'm very thin, so there's barely any fat there.

My thoughts are that, knowing that hormone replacement therapy can and will change the fat distribution in the hips and thighs; that I may have a slight chance of matching my shoulder size with my potentially larger hips. That might get me closer to an hourglass figure, but most likely not near to having one completely without surgery or grafting..

My question is:
1. What will hrt do to the shoulders, will they decrease the muscle near the neck as well as the shoulder blade muscles? The muscles in the upper back.

2. Has anyone, or is anyone experiencing a shortening in the size of their arms, even by a few centimeters?

3. How many inches have you gained in hip size since taking hrt, or from anyone you know/known who have taken hrt..?

4. Most importantly; Do I look too masculine already, or do I look passable enough? What are your honest thoughts?

It's okay if you don't answer every question, all feedback is appreciated. Thank you for reading, and I hope to hear from you soon!

- Below are a few photos I've taken to show to you for feedback.

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[Northern Star Girl]

snipped:

My question is:
1. What will hrt do to the shoulders, will they decrease the muscle near the neck as well as the shoulder blade muscles? The muscles in the upper back.

2. Has anyone, or is anyone experiencing a shortening in the size of their arms, even by a few centimeters?

3. How many inches have you gained in hip size since taking hrt, or from anyone you know/known who have taken hrt..?

4. Most importantly; Do I look too masculine already, or do I look passable enough? What are your honest thoughts?

It's okay if you don't answer every question, all feedback is appreciated. Thank you for reading, and I hope to hear from you soon!

Sent from my ZTE B2017G using Tapatalk

Hello SkyIndica:
I will answer some of your questions in my next reply soon.

BUT First!!, 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. 
Be aware that there are lots of members here that can identify with the issues that you brought up in your introduction posting. 

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 transitions 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.  Be sure to look at the Links that I posted below, there is information about the site that will help you navigate around and best utilize the features here.
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]

***NOTE: SkyIndica:  It would be good if you could please stop by the Introductions Forum to tell the members here about yourself and that you have arrived at Susan's.  It will make it easier for them to find new members and to help you to get involved.
Danielle

[Northern Star Girl]

snipped:

My question is:
1. What will hrt do to the shoulders, will they decrease the muscle near the neck as well as the shoulder blade muscles? The muscles in the upper back.

2. Has anyone, or is anyone experiencing a shortening in the size of their arms, even by a few centimeters?

3. How many inches have you gained in hip size since taking hrt, or from anyone you know/known who have taken hrt..?

4. Most importantly; Do I look too masculine already, or do I look passable enough? What are your honest thoughts?

It's okay if you don't answer every question, all feedback is appreciated. Thank you for reading, and I hope to hear from you soon!

Sent from my ZTE B2017G using Tapatalk

@ SkyIndica: 
The following answers are from my own experience with 3+ years of HRT... be advised that you may have different results.

1)   YES, my muscle did decrease in all areas of my body including my neck and shoulder blade areas of my back.

2)   My arms did not "shorten" but the diameter of the lower arm and the upper arms reduced significantly due to muscle loss.

3)   My hips gained 3 or 4 inches.

4)   It can not be accurately predicted how much HRT will feminize you...  I have seen burly men become quite feminine in appearance... but it will usually take more than a few months of HRT, proper diet and possibly later on some surgical intervention in Face Feminization or other procedures.  Fortunately I did not require either.   Again, HRT affects every BODY differently and in it's own time.... patience is required.... it almost never happens as quickly as we want.  The good news for you is that you are young compared to a lot of transitioners .... and I like what I see in your pictures.

I hope that this helps....   there might be others that reply with their answers too.
Wishing you well,
Danielle

[DawnOday]

No unfortunately, but I do know the linebacker look. The other day I took pictures of my whole torso and noticed my arms hung quite a few inches from my body. I haven't noticed too much shrinkage of the arms or feet for that matter after 19 months. But I did find that if you face your hands open and slightly forward it draws your elbows in a little closer and looks more natural. You look passable with the body you have and will only get better with HRT The fat will redistribute and muscle will disappear to some extent. I am not a good judge as I have always been unable to grow muscles. I just got so depressed that my body ended up around 300 lbs. Now down to about 220 but still not very sexy. By the way Gender Odyssey in Seattle has a special program to support our
African American family. It will be in August. If you can make it, it is a real eye opener and very helpful. Everything from surgery to handling police, to trans101  is discussed. Plus social meetings for lunch and dinner and a pub crawl.  Baby is yelling for me to feed her, gotta go.

[SkyIndica]

Thanks so much for the advice, Danielle! Your comment made my day. I can only wish to have hips like you have

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[Deborah]

Average CIS female measurements are smaller because average CIS females are shorter.  Normalized for height the difference is much less.  Unless you are a bodybuilder then when you have clothes on then the differences don't stick out a lot.  More important is face and hair.


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[Shawnna]

Don't focus on the numbers too much. You have a nice proportion right now. It's only going to get better with HRT.

I know a lot of cis women who have more masculine builds than you.  Be confident and just rock who you are with no regrets it's only going to get better with time. I've seen some unbelievable transformations in people starting much more buff than you are now.

Relax and don't stress the details too much. Do you. Just enjoy being you and it will come together better than you can imagine.


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[Mattfromengland]

I'm 21 years old currently, and I've heard that around 23-25 the hips lock and all other masculine attributes will settle permanently, so I'm looking to begin hrt as soon as I can. I'm of black descent, and have known that blacks usually have more muscle mass than other ethnicities, scientifically speaking, and that sort of bums me out because I see black transwomen look more masculine than other ethnically defined transwomen.

Anyways

My arms are about 26 inches from my shoulder to my wrist, plus my hands which are 8 inches from my wrist to the tip of my middle finger (34in total)
That translates to about 84cm
The average women's arm length is 71cm
That's 13cm longer, my arms are.

My shoulders, aren't huge, but I'm really self conscious about it too. They're 17 inches measuring from muscle to muscle. Measuring from the ends of my shoulder bones; they are about 15 inches.
For the average adult female (18+), shoulders range from 15 inches to just under 17 inches. Shoulder size varies in women due to fat storage, however, I'm very thin, so there's barely any fat there.

My thoughts are that, knowing that hormone replacement therapy can and will change the fat distribution in the hips and thighs; that I may have a slight chance of matching my shoulder size with my potentially larger hips. That might get me closer to an hourglass figure, but most likely not near to having one completely without surgery or grafting..

My question is:
1. What will hrt do to the shoulders, will they decrease the muscle near the neck as well as the shoulder blade muscles? The muscles in the upper back.

2. Has anyone, or is anyone experiencing a shortening in the size of their arms, even by a few centimeters?

3. How many inches have you gained in hip size since taking hrt, or from anyone you know/known who have taken hrt..?

4. Most importantly; Do I look too masculine already, or do I look passable enough? What are your honest thoughts?

It's okay if you don't answer every question, all feedback is appreciated. Thank you for reading, and I hope to hear from you soon!

- Below are a few photos I've taken to show to you for feedback.

Sent from my ZTE B2017G using Tapatalk

Arm and shoulder size will vary depending on your height, rather than an average for a male or female. The average person's arm span, from fingertip to fingertip (so this includes both arms and the shoulders) works out to be roughly your height. This goes for men and women. Everyone I know that's tried this is within an inch or two - other than my family!!!

In my family we have stupidly long arms, mine are about 6 inched longer than my height. I'm FTM so my long arms originated on a female body. My nephew works out worse than I do. So long arms aren't a female or a male thing!! I don't think you have anything whatsoever to worry about.

And you look great in your pics,

[Deborah]

One thing you can do if you feel your upper body is too large is to grow your lower body bigger.  That gives the illusion of your upper body being smaller.  HRT will take care of that if you are willing to add a lot of bodyfat.  Another method that works well alongside HRT is to build your legs and hips larger in the gym with weights.  I've been doing that and it does work.