How Much Do Hormones Genuinely Change Things (Especially facially)?

[rlacy2018]

I'm 18, almost 19, (yes, young) like 5'4" (at least I'm lucky here), 100 lbs, and I'm thinking about going to therapy/maybe starting hormones soon. However, I really feel like I won't be able to pass. I mean, I've seen transition videos and things like that, but I feel like I have masculine facial features that won't really be changed. It worries me, because I'm already unsure about transitioning, or how I identify, and if I do it, and don't pass, that's even worse, I feel. Not to mention I already don't know how I'm going to get my female voice, I've tried training on and off but never stuck to it, and it seems pointless. Hopefully y'all can give me some guidance, or have some ideas. <3

Love y'all,

Riley

[KayXo]

I've been on hormones for 14 years. They changed me SIGNIFICANTLY, face, body but very small breasts. I look undeniably female, HRT softened my features dramatically, hair removal helps a LOT too! My voice is also undeniably female, I pass 100% of the time on the phone, in person, easier. Only caveat is that fear that remains of my male voice coming out at any moment as that lower register still remains despite my being able to talk consistently in female register. Just use the upper portion of your voicebox.

[rlacy2018]

I've been on hormones for 14 years. They changed me SIGNIFICANTLY, face, body but very small breasts. I look undeniably female, HRT softened my features dramatically, hair removal helps a LOT too! My voice is also undeniably female, I pass 100% of the time on the phone, in person, easier. Only caveat is that fear that remains of my male voice coming out at any moment as that lower register still remains despite my being able to talk consistently in female register. Just use the upper portion of your voicebox.

Thanks! I'm glad you pass! Do you mind if I ask when you started HRT? How long was it before you were able to pass? If I ask something out of line, feel free to let me know. Yeah, I think the voice can be an issue for a lot of us, I've been struggling with that, but I really try to sing a lot in my car and expand my limits.

[KayXo]

I started young, is all I'm gonna say...but past puberty. I passed within months of starting HRT and after 9 months and 6 laser treatments for my face, I couldn't pass as male anymore. I already had long hair from growing it for about two years. My face wasn't all that masculine to start with but still somewhat angular. I have small features, which helps. Size 6.5- 8 shoes, small fingers/hands (size 7-8 fingers). I'm 5'6. Gained some weight, was quite skinny.

HRT will keep you younger looking so bonus!

[Jessica_Rose]

When I started I was confident that I was going to be an ugly woman, but I knew I had to do this. I am 6ft 1in, down to 162lbs, but I do wear size 13 shoes! Several people on this site have told me that I pass, and I have not had any issues so far. I won't tell you how old I am, but I watched the original Star Trek when it was first broadcast! I have only been on HRT a little over a year, but I do think it has made a difference. I do not wear any padding, and that is my real hair.

The first photo is from Feb 2017, the second was from March 2018, the third was my first day at work as Jessica (Feb 19, 2018).

[AnamethatstartswithE]

Here is me after 7 months on hrt. The first picture is from a year ago and pre everything.

[Shellie Hart]

I wish HRT was at least a little predictable. It is not. I have been on HRT for a little over two years and the only noticeable change on me are nice C-cup breasts. I started flat-chested and now I am a nice curvy woman as far as my chest is concerned. I can't see any change in my face at all, even though people tell me all the time that I have lost weight (they "see it in my face"). But I am sure it's because my waist looks small because of my protruding chest. I can't be sure, though. There are other small changes (hips, smell, skin), but the boob fairy wants me to have large breasts (they are still growing). HRT is definitely YMMV...

[rlacy2018]

I started young, is all I'm gonna say...but past puberty. I passed within months of starting HRT and after 9 months and 6 laser treatments for my face, I couldn't pass as male anymore. I already had long hair from growing it for about two years. My face wasn't all that masculine to start with but still somewhat angular. I have small features, which helps. Size 6.5- 8 shoes, small fingers/hands (size 7-8 fingers). I'm 5'6. Gained some weight, was quite skinny.

HRT will keep you younger looking so bonus!

Yeah that's true! Thanks for the input.

[rlacy2018]

When I started I was confident that I was going to be an ugly woman, but I knew I had to do this. I am 6ft 1in, down to 162lbs, but I do wear size 13 shoes! Several people on this site have told me that I pass, and I have not had any issues so far. I won't tell you how old I am, but I watched the original Star Trek when it was first broadcast! I have only been on HRT a little over a year, but I do think it has made a difference. I do not wear any padding, and that is my real hair.

The first photo is from Feb 2017, the second was from March 2018, the third was my first day at work as Jessica (Feb 19, 2018).

That's really great! You do pass well. I think that I'm honestly overthinking it, HRT seems to do a lot for quite a number of people. Thanks for the input!

[rlacy2018]

I wish HRT was at least a little predictable. It is not. I have been on HRT for a little over two years and the only noticeable change on me are nice C-cup breasts. I started flat-chested and now I am a nice curvy woman as far as my chest is concerned. I can't see any change in my face at all, even though people tell me all the time that I have lost weight (they "see it in my face"). But I am sure it's because my waist looks small because of my protruding chest. I can't be sure, though. There are other small changes (hips, smell, skin), but the boob fairy wants me to have large breasts (they are still growing). HRT is definitely YMMV...

Ohhh okay, yeah I'm sure it isn't. Can I ask how long you've been on HRT and when you started?

[Northern Star Girl]

@ rlacy:  Every BODY reacts in it's own unique way to HRT.  You can not expect to have the very same results that you read about others having.  Your results could be quicker or slower... more significant or less significant... etc, etc.
The frequent phrase used here is "Your mileage may vary"  ... one thing is for certain, nothing happens with HRT as quickly as we all desire... human nature says... "We want it all and we want it NOW"
Those who have gotten similar messages from me might be tired of me saying that "Patience is required"

A lot of anyone's changes will have to do with what ones face looks like before they started HRT... and another big factor is in you genes that you were born with....  those unchanging factors are key elements in body and face changes.

Have fun (and patience) with your transition journey....
Danielle

The first picture below is a "before" picture of me when I was in College as a young man...  I was a scrawny and small young man...  soft facial features, a girlish face I was told, and a voice to match.  I suffered lots of demeaning comments from the bigger, stronger and more masculine classmates... especially in the locker room.   Now, of course all of that has worked to my advantage in my transition goal.  The other pictures are after 3+ years of HRT ... I came out full-time after 18 months of HRT and have been very successfully passing as a female.

I am still small but the problems I had being a young college man that I looked like a boy/girl are NOW working in my favor as I have transitioned.  I am still small, not a runt, but rather petite ( a better term for a female)...   I have refined my mannerisms, walking ,sitting, generally moving around, standing, eating.... and better manners all the way around to more conform to the woman I have become.

The after pictures of me as very blonde is after a make over I had in early March on my 3 year anniversary of HRT... it really shows my changes to becoming a woman especially in my face as compared to the before "young man" pic.  Then there are also some other pics of me as a Full-time woman and my latest is my profile pic.  I have since darkened my hair a little.... it was just a tad too bright for my liking.... but the makeover, eyebrow work,  and salon treatment with a manicure and pedicure were a wonderful time of being pampered.

[Shellie Hart]

Ohhh okay, yeah I'm sure it isn't. Can I ask how long you've been on HRT and when you started?

I started at 41. Two years so far.....

EDIT: I am jealous of Danielle. Facially for me, there is no hope....

[rlacy2018]

I started at 41. Two years so far.....

EDIT: I am jealous of Danielle. Facially for me, there is no hope....

I wouldn't say no hope. There's always surgery, if you're up for that. Either way, you're your authentic self.

[rlacy2018]

@ rlacy:  Every BODY reacts in it's own unique way to HRT.  You can not expect to have the very same results that you read about others having.  Your results could be quicker or slower... more significant or less significant... etc, etc.
The frequent phrase used here is "Your mileage may vary"  ... one thing is for certain, nothing happens with HRT as quickly as we all desire... human nature says... "We want it all and we want it NOW"
Those who have gotten similar messages from me might be tired of me saying that "Patience is required"

A lot of anyone's changes will have to do with what ones face looks like before they started HRT... and another big factor is in you genes that you were born with....  those unchanging factors are key elements in body and face changes.

Have fun (and patience) with your transition journey....
Danielle

The first picture below is a "before" picture of me when I was in College as a young man...  I was a scrawny and small young man...  soft facial features, a girlish face I was told, and a voice to match.  I suffered lots of demeaning comments from the bigger, stronger and more masculine classmates... especially in the locker room.   Now, of course all of that has worked to my advantage in my transition goal.  The other pictures are after 3+ years of HRT ... I came out full-time after 18 months of HRT and have been very successfully passing as a female.

I am still small but the problems I had being a young college man that I looked like a boy/girl are NOW working in my favor as I have transitioned.  I am still small, not a runt, but rather petite ( a better term for a female)...   I have refined my mannerisms, walking ,sitting, generally moving around, standing, eating.... and better manners all the way around to more conform to the woman I have become.

The after pictures of me as very blonde is after a make over I had in early March on my 3 year anniversary of HRT... it really shows my changes to becoming a woman especially in my face as compared to the before "young man" pic.  Then there are also some other pics of me as a Full-time woman and my latest is my profile pic.  I have since darkened my hair a little.... it was just a tad too bright for my liking.... but the makeover, eyebrow work,  and salon treatment with a manicure and pedicure were a wonderful time of being pampered.

Wow, that's a really great story, and you pass so well! Honestly, I think it is just something I'm going to have to accept. I mean, I don't want to be clocked my whole life, but if I decide that I can't live as a man, then there's really no point. I see what you're saying how it really depends how your face looks before HRT, and it might not change much, I've seen that through a lot of before and afters. Thanks for the input, and sharing your story!

Do you think it's something I should take into account when I decide to transition? I mean, should me being able to pass be a factor in my decision to transition or not?

Another note, does therapy really help? I've been thinking about this for like four years now, and I just don't see how a therapist could help me find myself. I feel like I've tried everything, asked myself every question, etc, some I just can't answer.

[Donna]

Can never say there is no hope. Only 4 months ago I felt
The same way, no way I ever pass. Now I can go out and be properly gendered for the most part and completely unrecognized by people that have known me for years. Never give up on yourself.

[Dena]

Do you think it's something I should take into account when I decide to transition? I mean, should me being able to pass be a factor in my decision to transition or not?

Another note, does therapy really help? I've been thinking about this for like four years now, and I just don't see how a therapist could help me find myself. I feel like I've tried everything, asked myself every question, etc, some I just can't answer.

Should you transition? The answer is can you be happy as a male? If not, I think you have your answer.

As for passing, there are many thing than determine if you pass. If your willing to put the work in, you should be able to pass. I looked at your image and you look like HRT could help a great deal. You might not glamorous but I think you could be feminine.

With the right therapist and if you put the effort in, a therapist will help a great deal. You still have to answer the questions but a therapist will know the questions to ask and how to find the answers. The important thing is your young and your results will be better the sooner you start. I started HRT about age 26 and was considered masculine in appearance. My avatar is about age 34. Starting earlier will have even better results.

[rlacy2018]

Should you transition? The answer is can you be happy as a male? If not, I think you have your answer.

As for passing, there are many thing than determine if you pass. If your willing to put the work in, you should be able to pass. I looked at your image and you look like HRT could help a great deal. You might not glamorous but I think you could be feminine.

With the right therapist and if you put the effort in, a therapist will help a great deal. You still have to answer the questions but a therapist will know the questions to ask and how to find the answers. The important thing is your young and your results will be better the sooner you start. I started HRT about age 26 and was considered masculine in appearance. My avatar is about age 34. Starting earlier will have even better results.

Thanks, I think I might be able to pass too. Can I ask what image you're talking about? I know I posted it on another post a while back, but I don't have a profile image.

Honestly I don't know if I can answer those questions, it's been difficult to do so in the past. I really think I am genderfluid, because there are times where I'm fine with it. But overall, my thing is, I can't truly express myself when I'm feeling female, whereas I wouldn't really have that issue when I feel more male, after I transition (if that makes any sense at all...).

I think I am going to go to therapy soon, I have the ability, it's just scary. That it's actually a reality now. Anyways, thanks for the input!

[Charlie Nicki]

I haven't seen your pics but the fact that you're so young and physically small are great advantages. You'll be fine, you just need to be patient, HRT takes time to do its magic.

Enviado de meu Moto G (5) Plus usando Tapatalk

[rlacy2018]

I haven't seen your pics but the fact that you're so young and physically small are great advantages. You'll be fine, you just need to be patient, HRT takes time to do its magic.

Enviado de meu Moto G (5) Plus usando Tapatalk

Thanks I think that you're right. Also, can i just say you're gorgeous (That goes for everyone here, too)??

[Roll]

I wish I was that small! But yeah, don't underestimate the change potential. Fear that I was too masculine stole my 20s from me, don't let it do the same to you.