Hi Jade,
I started HRT in 2016, just after I turned 60. All of my changes have been subtle, all the changes seem to progress slowly to me, while other people that I don't see on a regular basis have noticed changes over time, most can't articulate what in specific they noticed, just that "I'm looking more female" or "That I'm looking 'better'".
HRT changes are different for each person, I believe that the mental benefits are the most important. The physical changes vary much more dramatically person to person and the timeline is different for everyone.
The biggest changes mentally were (and still are) being more at peace with myself, more awareness of the full dynamic range of my senses; everything from the taste of food to a touch on my arm are all more vivid (e.g. I feel that I'm living in full color now), and my emotions are more dynamic (e.g tearing up during parts of a movie).
The physical changes for me have been mostly subdued. The most noticeable change for me has been muscle strength, I'm guessing that I have about 75% of my pre-HRT strength, when I'm at full exertion, no practical difference for all daily activities. Being large in frame (can you say barrel chested) and high in weight has always given my face a softer look, my cheeks do seem to be a bit more prominent and hollows of my cheeks a bit more defined now. I have always been careful about sun exposure on my face and being a geek in high tech had me working long hours in buildings with few windows. I had moobs from my excess weight (they didn't look like much on my 52" chest, [maybe an A cup] but were at equal or slightly greater in volume than my wife's 40 C breasts!. HRT did whip my nips into a sensitivity frenzy for a good nine months. Now it just happens ever couple of months for a week or so. After a year the firmness changed, but volume change was not really noticeable. At nearly two years of HRT, no noticeable change in derriere or hip padding, again, being heavy gave some padding already.
At the 1.25 year mark I had some FFS and a BA as my medical benefits that would cover these costs was ending. The FFS was focused on reducing my brow ridge and and orbital socket prominence. An eyebrow lift and an upper Blepharoplasty made a big improvements around my eyes, as I had drooping eyebrows and eyelids that rolled over. (often problems for people in there 60s). The BA really helped my both "feeling my body is right" and my confidence even though they are a bit less prominent than the forms I used for may years.
I'm happy to discuss my changes in more detail if you would like. Just send a PM
-Cindi
Maker of small troubles and giver of great Hugs
