What should I be expecting after times of HRT?

[MissKatie]

Say after a month, three months, six months, a year and onwards?

[Jessica]

Oh Katie, this is so ymmv!  Everyone is unique and responds differently from each other.
For instance, I was 62 when I started, a girlfriend of mine in her 30's started the same day.  I started breast development within the first month, but she has had none.  It has a lot to do with genetics, this might be awkward but ask your mom or if you have a sister, of what their experience was.  They could give you a close idea what you may expect.

Hugs and smiles from a California girl

[pamelatransuk]

Hello again Katie

As Jessica says, we are all unique and hence get differing results on HRT and changes (if they happen) come at different times.

If you wish to see others' experiences (which may or not apply to you) but you just wish to get some idea, then I suggest you have a look at the HRT Board where several members have outlined their experience so far.

I attach my thread from HRT Board which covers the first 8 months. As you may see, I am seeing my doctor today and shall update my thread with ninth month in the next few days.

I hope you find my summary helpful and I wish you well should you choose to go down the HRT road. I have and continue to benefit significantly.

https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,241374.0.html

Hugs

Pamela

[Devlyn]

Say after a month, three months, six months, a year and onwards?

After a month you should start to experience breast growth, softer skin, and fat redistribution, and that will continue for several years. At three months, six months, and one year your provider will likely test your levels and check your satisfaction and progress. The dosages may be tweaked at these points. Naturally, YMMV. 

Hugs, Devlyn

[KathyLauren]

To get an idea about how your body will likely develop physically, look at photos of your female relatives.  I recently came across an old photo of my grandmother in her 40s.  OMG, she is me!!  I have her face, and my breast development or lack thereof is the same.

[Jennifer M]

My problem with comparison of female relatives is that they are quite different. One aunt, who struggles with weight issues, takes after her mother, but her sister is slimmer. My grandmothers had different body shapes.

The most encouraging thing, ironically enough, is that my sister was well-developed up top until reduction surgery. She also has some serious hips/thighs - and, selfishly, I'd like to remain able to fit in the boatload of jeans/skirts I've already bought.

[Sarah77]

Say after a month, three months, six months, a year and onwards?

I've just got hold of some interesting scientific research*

1 month...first pair of Manolo Blahnik slingbacks
6 months...can no longer reverse park
1 year...tell a man he's useless 'cos you can't multitask like me'.
.

* (might be made up)

[Sarah77]

now being serious for a moment..

I've got my blood tests and could book an appointment with a gender therapist to begin hormone treatment...

..and I'm suddenly struck by indecision.

Partly because I have a load on moving house and getting my child into a good school
Partly because it is a MASSIVE decision for my marriage.
..but definitely partly because the pathway of resistance has been slightly removed - ironically the possibility of progress has removed some of the pressure to progress.

[krobinson103]

If you want to wade through my thread - which is very long every part of the journey over the last year is recorded. Be aware its not just the physical that changes but so much more. To boil it down though everyone is different. I got physical changes early on that still continue but I guess I was just lucky with the DNA and lack of testosterone for a long time on that one. Some report few changes even years in. You just have to roll the dice and see what happens.

[Clementineismine]

For me not much happened at first but my endo was deliberately taking things slow as I understand you get better results than if you rush the HRT thing.

First I noticed a tenderness in my brests about three months in but nothing else.

Six months in my libedo has definetly changed in a big way

About two years in my brests are developing nicely and my hair is thining on my fore arms and legs.

As to all the other changes that other people experience such as all the crazyness that goes with puberty, becoming more ditsy / clumsy, depression, euphoria,   I have not experienced any of that.

[Northern Star Girl]

Say after a month, three months, six months, a year and onwards?

@MissKatie
I will give you my perspective to consider along with all of the other very informative replies to your question about HRT here on your thread.

Most likely your first experience will be some changes particularly in your nipples and breasts...  soreness, lumps (breast buds) forming under the nipples (and in my case at the same time frame my nipples were very erect and sensitive most of the time) ....  then at 3 months into HRT most transitioners will maybe start seeing things happening more significantly and at a quicker rate including possibly more changes and growth in your breasts and nipples, reduced body hair growth, your own body and urine smell, changes in erections becoming less intense, libido, etc. 

The transition journey is indeed exciting.  If you have done any reading yet of some of the other postings and threads here on the Forums it has been stated over and over that HRT will work uniquely in your own unique body. What you read about other transitioning members experiences with HRT most likely will not be identical to your own experiences.

The adage that we use here regarding HRT and how it may work for various individuals  is "YMMV"  meaning that Your Mileage May Vary.
Some will experience more significant changes more quickly and then some will experience less significant changes more slowly....   it is all up to your genes and how your body reacts to the HRT.

PATIENCE is required.... usually not much happens very quickly with HRT... but changes will happen.

Without a doubt this can be very "EXCITING and SCARY all at the same time."   One needs to hang on for an amazing ride.  Some of my best and most appreciated and dramatic body changes happened to me at about the 5 or 6 month point and through the start of year #2 of my HRT journey.  Near the beginning of my 2nd year of HRT I have full 34B breasts and by the start of my 3rd year they became a full C cup and have stayed that way.  Because I am very active jogging, running, hiking, etc, I do not wish for anything bigger.

Even though I was able to very successfully pass before I went full-time... when I did go full-time at the 1½ year mark I had been passing 100% of the time.  Of course that is just my own personal experience, I suppose I can thank my unique body makeup and my genes for all that.
 
You will not see dramatic changes on a daily or weekly basis.  I found that by taking my photo once a month that when compared with previous monthly photos, the changes were quite noticeable and very motivating.

Thank you for sharing with all of us.
Wishing you well, and  we will be eagerly following your postings and transition progress as you aim for your goal.

Danielle

[Jaime320]

YMMV is right,  don't be shocked if things accelerate either. Have a plan in place.