Effects of Thought Patterns

[Del]

I am curious if hrt for a MtF or maybe Androgyne would effect thought patterns such as a male ego. Does it help those who may swing back and forth from time to time from a feminine thought pattern to a masculine one where they can have their male ego get in the way and stepped in of day to day life?
God, I know what I mean but the proper wording escape me.
I hope someone understands and can help.
Del

[findingreason]

I don't really know, but I sure hope HRT would help that. Male ego is the worst part of it all to me, it gets in the way of everything.

[Jaycie]

Well, i think that before you ask if HRT affects these things you really need to define what exactly they are.

What is a 'feminine' thought pattern?
What is a 'masculine' thought pattern?   ...etc

It just seems to me that these things are pretty arbitrarily defined and don't really follow any patterns at all that aren't rooted in sexism or other types of discrimination. The thinking that 'men think X' and 'women think Y' when there's plenty of evidence out there that shows that that type of thinking is pretty baseless. Talking about pills changing one's ego seems to me to be just an attempt at shifting responsibility. If there are parts of one's personality that need to change,  i can't see there being a magic pill out there that can take that responsibility away from oneself.

The first step i think would to be honest with yourself. Sure, HRT can affect emotional reactions to a degree,  but that's about it.  Any larger changes have to come from yourself.

[Kendall]

I am curious if hrt for a MtF or maybe Androgyne would effect thought patterns such as a male ego. Does it help those who may swing back and forth from time to time from a feminine thought pattern to a masculine one where they can have their male ego get in the way and stepped in of day to day life?
God, I know what I mean but the proper wording escape me.
I hope someone understands and can help.
Del

I have read some that find drastic changes that I admit to have never felt. I don't know if there was a change in my ego caused by the hormones themselves or if its from the relief of finally feeling more free and comfortable with my body. I think less about sex, if thats what you mean. That seems to have mainly started with the T-blocker. On the most part I think I think and feel the same. The highs and lows seem a little more prolonged also, both good and bad.

[Del]

Ken/Kendra,
  Thank you very much. You seem to have the closest idea of what I meant.
  The reason I asked was because it wouldn't seem correct for a MtF to have a male ego, or mindset. I do admit I may be wrong.
  In like manner my meager understanding shows me that an Androgyn could depending on weather they feel male or female. It would also seem that a FtM would have a greater than either.
  The problem for me lies in the fact that medical terms go over my head so reading sites that use those terms are about useless. I don't even understand my neurosurgeon when he talks to me. I just sort of nod my heard in agreement and ask my wife what he said when we get home.
  The only thing I do understand is that there is a difference in chromosomes that determine birth sex. That would not explain further feelings, emotions, thoughts and actions beyond a standard male or female body. That is where things get a little vague for me.
  Once again, thank you very much for trying to shed some light on this for me.
  I do really appreciate it.
  Del
 

[Kendall]

There is no change for me in how I feel about the male mixture of my identity. I still Identify with male as well as female mixed. Accepting and liking the mixture.

I am not sure about the MTF not having male ego, since I don't know how they feel, but I am sure that they don't have a male gender identity (which is the very definition of a MTF, or at least part of it). I don't know the details of how and what makes up the human mind/thoughts.

But your post is mainly concerning one who swings back and forth.

I guess it would depend on what is the natural state of oneself, which therapists are great on helping to discover.

[NicholeW.]

Lots of us feel differently, Del. We often attribute the differences to hormonal actions and some of that is just about bound to be correct. "Ego" I would imagine is not one of those things.

Both women and men have "Ego." If you read enough here you will discover that to be true. Androgynes also have "Ego" as can also be easily verified with some reading on these pages. 

This series of excerpts from a 1992 book is definitely not medical and may give you some understandings. Heck it may give some of us some as well.

There do appear to be certain inclinations that are hard-wired within women and men as the excerpts say.

There have been other, more recent 'brain sex' books that are generally avaibale to the general reader. I'd suggest checking Amazon to see if any are interesting to you. If they are, check at your local bookstore and sample them to see if they might meet your needs.

Good luck in your research.



Nichole

[Del]

Nichole,
  Thank you very much for the lead.
  I really enjoyed reading something that wasn't too intellectual for my high school education. It would be so much nicer if people would just set aside the vanity of using big words and say things plainly. That was one reason I dropped out of college. It was nothing more than saying simple things with big words to try to impress people. Of the which, I am not impressed.
  I did think that there had to be something somewhere that could be measured or distinguishable for a person to be of either the male or female sex.
  The idea of just saying "I have a male/female gender" just doesn't seem to hold water if there isn't something to back it up.
  If one was to believe along those lines they could just claim to be the Easter Bunny from their youth and would probably wind up in the looney bin if it couldn't be proven with some sort of distinguishing feature that was measurable such as a difference in the brain.
  I really did enjoy the article and since it did point out some variatons in the brain it was rather easy to reflect back to my youth and recall certain things making it easier to draw a partial conclusion. It also would give one an understanding in why some do indeed do draw their conclusions of the gender/body they feel and claim.
  I do tend to have a close feeling, or sympathetic understanding of the transgender/transsexual community for reasons I won't go into and because of such am very hesitant to believe along the lines of mainstream Christianity.
  Once again, thank you very much.
  Del

[NicholeW.]

You're welcome, Del.

You can be a Christian and be trans or someone who feels close to trans people. "The whole of the Law is to love the Lord, your god, and your neighbor as yourself." You need anything else?

I worship Mother. She's always nearby and I am Her daughter. Occasionally I dance with my sisters. I have no desire for Christianity, but for many its valid and they live by those words above. Be like them and perhaps you'll realize what they do. What I realize in my days with Mom. 

I'm glad it helped you. *curtsey*

Blessed Be,

Nichole

[Del]

Nichole,
  Thank you very much for all of your help.
  I don't like to get too involved with all of the religious stuff. Too many use that amiss to hurt people. There are enough ministers and ex-ministers here to discuss religious topics.
  My course of study is just for my personal benefit. Mainly for me to have a clear conscience in certain areas of my life. Just for my benefit in what I believe and not to push off on others.
  Too many have used the "great commission" before studying a matter out and then do nothing more than hurt others. That is a shame and in past times I have even done so myself in ignorance. Sadly, those things are the things may not be undone. One of the old preachers said "It saddens me at how many I may have sent to hell in my ignorance."
  I just don't care to go that route. I would rather read what the other ministers have to say about such since they are more active in the trans community than I could ever be. It's easy to say how things should be when you aren't in their shoes.
  Therefore, my speaking of spiritual things will be in the church I attend and at my home church. Not here.
  I do respect your belief and hope that all works out for you.
  Once again, thank you so much for your help. It was nice to read something plain and easy to read.
  Take care,
  Del