How long on full dose HRT?

[Rachel]

I have been on HRT for over 5 years. The whole time on full dose with abstinence for FFS and GCS. It took me 1.5 years post op after I had revision surgery to feel right to be with another person. I started Prep just in case. With Prep it can cause bone softening after 5 years. My doctor was after me to take a low dose T for a while now and I agreed because of the Prep.

Having a low amount of T in my body has helped libido and emotions. When my blood was measured my T was <3. I increased my T. My target is 20 to 25 ng/dl.

I was on an SSRI from coming out up through GCS. After GCS something changed and I no longer needed the SSRI. I no longer had dysphoria and I continued the journey healing, accepting starting to like myself.

Anyhow, HRT does take a year to get use to it and in time you will become less sensitive.

[Virginia]

I have been on a full transition level Estrogen/Spironalactone regimen for almost nine years and have never experienced any effect on my moods or emotions.

[SadieBlake]

Charlie Nicki, I've been on a full dose from the start of my HRT and it's been 2.5 years now. While I recognize that my more complex emotions on estrogen aren't always easy and sometimes I do miss the directness that came with testosterone, the complications that were part of that ... I don't miss at all.

While my process takes a little longer now, it's far less prone to confusion and I have a lot more patience for myself and for others. I think patience has been the lesson of transition for me.

Also I cannot separate my emotions from context. I've had some pretty hard times, ranging from arranging and completing GCS so soon after starting HRT to postoperative depression to occasional issues that trigger my PTSD response.

[Charlie Nicki]

Thank you everyone for your answers. It's a bit relieving to see that a lot of us go through the same. My therapist suggested that I asked my endo for T gel to increase my levels, I could also try that on the next revision.

[Maddie86]

So I've been on a full dose for about 5 months now, and I'm almost one year on HRT overall. My goal is to remain on a full dose for at least another year to see what other changes I get...The problem is that I feel I'm way too sensitive now, I cry a lot, overthink everything, and I'm super insecure. I know all of this is part of the process but I really believe HRT is enhancing this, mostly the sensitivity part; I get my feelings hurt quiet easily, I don't let it show but it does hurt me inside. I feel awkward and ugly sometimes, just like a teenager.

How long were you on a full dose before lowering it?

It looks like we've been on HRT for about the same amount of time, as of the 17th of this month it will have been a year since I started. My doctor started me off on a very small dose though and increased it by one pill after each visit, so I've only been on the maximum dose since April, and before that I got an increase to a pretty good sized dose back in December. I've been having mental issues as well, I'm thinking about asking my doctor about getting on anti-depressants when I see him in August. I remember being bummed at first because it took a while before the mental effects kicked in, I didn't really start feeling them until September, but they definitely increased each time my medication got upped, especially after my last one in April. I've been feeling really down on myself lately and I feel like none of my friends actually care about me and that no one would care if I just disappeared. I've always had bad self esteem issues, so I don't think HRT is the cause of anything, but it does seem to be bringing it out a bit more.

I don't know what to do about my dosage though. I think I'm on the max for Estradiol but my estrogen level isn't where my doctor wants it yet. at my last visit my level was 62.5 and he wants it in the 100 to 200 range. So far it's been going up by 20 each time I get an increase in my medication, so I'm assuming when I go back that it will be about 83. I gotta ask him if the level will increase over time if I stay on my current dose or if it will just maintain that level. my next visit after the one in August will be in December, so if I'm not over 100 by then I think I'm going to request to be switched to injections.

[KathyLauren]

I don't know what is considered a "full dose", especially since we are not allowed to discuss dosages.  My doctor has increased my E dosage twice in the last year and a half.  The most recent increase was nine months ago.  She is happy with my levels, so I guess that is a "full dose".

The emotional effects have been pretty subtle.  I have to go looking for them or I'd miss them.  I cry more easily is the biggest one I have noticed.

[Charlie Nicki]

It looks like we've been on HRT for about the same amount of time, as of the 17th of this month it will have been a year since I started. My doctor started me off on a very small dose though and increased it by one pill after each visit, so I've only been on the maximum dose since April, and before that I got an increase to a pretty good sized dose back in December. I've been having mental issues as well, I'm thinking about asking my doctor about getting on anti-depressants when I see him in August. I remember being bummed at first because it took a while before the mental effects kicked in, I didn't really start feeling them until September, but they definitely increased each time my medication got upped, especially after my last one in April. I've been feeling really down on myself lately and I feel like none of my friends actually care about me and that no one would care if I just disappeared. I've always had bad self esteem issues, so I don't think HRT is the cause of anything, but it does seem to be bringing it out a bit more.

I don't know what to do about my dosage though. I think I'm on the max for Estradiol but my estrogen level isn't where my doctor wants it yet. at my last visit my level was 62.5 and he wants it in the 100 to 200 range. So far it's been going up by 20 each time I get an increase in my medication, so I'm assuming when I go back that it will be about 83. I gotta ask him if the level will increase over time if I stay on my current dose or if it will just maintain that level. my next visit after the one in August will be in December, so if I'm not over 100 by then I think I'm going to request to be switched to injections.

I feel you girl, we're on the same boat. I also feel lonely at times, not because of my friends but because I'm single. I've always been a relationship type of person and I'm the happiest when I'm with someone. HRT definitely enhances those feelings.

[Charlie Nicki]

I don't know what is considered a "full dose", especially since we are not allowed to discuss dosages.  My doctor has increased my E dosage twice in the last year and a half.  The most recent increase was nine months ago.  She is happy with my levels, so I guess that is a "full dose".

The emotional effects have been pretty subtle.  I have to go looking for them or I'd miss them.  I cry more easily is the biggest one I have noticed.

Lucky girl! LOL. I do enjoy being more in touch with my feelings, but I would rather have more control over them.

[Allison S]

Gotta go through being a teenager again to be a woman now [emoji4]
If lowering E a bit helps then that might be worth it. I don't think I'll do that until I'm fully settled as a woman in a few years. Like someone mentioned, we can't pick and choose how hrt will effect us overall. I see emotional changes as a part of the package and as much as I don't like it, it beats being male.

Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk

[SadieBlake]

Lucky girl! LOL. I do enjoy being more in touch with my feelings, but I would rather have more control over them.

You know control of anything is usually an illusion? Control of emotions doubly so ;-).