First Thoughts on HRT ...

[Amie June]

At age 61, I have 12 days in and have learned the power of hormones. The first 5-6 days were quite unpleasant. It felt like my gender and identity were simply switched off. It took effort to get through my days and my therapist said I looked unwell. At 8 days anxiety and GI problems arrived. The anxiety is more of a problem since I have an anxiety disorder and I'm working with the clinic to make a change. It seems to fill me with a feeling of uncertainty which doesn't help while getting HRT started. On day 9, when my thinking was a bit irrational, I told myself that if the symptoms were to linger for a few months I would abandoned HRT. (This has since changed.)

My taste for my favorite foods has changed. This includes popcorn - I LOVE popcorn! - and the homemade gluten-free bread I make. But I've changed the bread recipe and and just have less popcorn. There's hope for everything

In the past few days I've notice that my hands are softer. I had read about the arrival of this and it's nice to experience it. And I also have a new habit of swaying. Seems like my body just wants to move and it's marvelous.

I have far to go on this journey and can't wait for the good stuff that lies ahead

Lindy

[Jessica]

Hi Lindy 🙋‍♀️ The early days were tough for me as well. At first a happy calm set in which was replaced periodically with self doubt and worry, sprinkled with irrational thoughts.  Several times I was pushed to stop, only to be compelled to start again.  Each time I felt more and more comfortable with the choices I've made.
My taste hasn't changed for my 61 yo body after 8+ months, but within the first few weeks my skin was much softer and the smells I smelled were richer and more intense.  Body odor was never something I had pre-hrt and still don't, but my nether regions have a distinctively feminine scent, and my pee smells different too.  GI changes are real also.  We are becoming female.

[Amie June]

Hi Lindy 🙋‍♀️ The early days were tough for me as well. At first a happy calm set in which was replaced periodically with self doubt and worry, sprinkled with irrational thoughts.  Several times I was pushed to stop, only to be compelled to start again.  Each time I felt more and more comfortable with the choices I've made.
My taste hasn't changed for my 61 yo body after 8+ months, but within the first few weeks my skin was much softer and the smells I smelled were richer and more intense.  Body odor was never something I had pre-hrt and still don't, but my nether regions have a distinctively feminine scent, and my pee smells different too.  GI changes are real also.  We are becoming female.

Thanks for sharing your experience, Jessica. I've learned that this is a lot to take on at this stage in my life, but I feel ready. I've been through some other very unpleasant health stuff, and I think it gave me the strength to follow through with HRT. It's no picnic, right? But the rewards are endless. In the past few days I decided that I would never want to reverse the process and go back to pre-HRT - it would be self-inflicted torture. So I'm here for the party I agree with your smells comment! I had lunch with a female friend yesterday and she had chives on a baked potato. The smell of the chives was almost overwhelming.

My doctor lowered my Spiro dose and I'm hoping this will help.

Yes, we are becoming female

Lindy