Does HRT Make You Shorter?

[K8]

I haven't measured my height in about 15 years.  I was always 5'10" (actually, 5' 9 7/8").  There've been a number of threads on height, so I measured myself.  Now I'm exactly 5'9".

I stand up as straight as I always did.  Is this shrinkage just age, or does HRT actually make you shorter?

- The amazing shirinking Kate

[Sarah Louise]

I don't believe that taking estrogen will make you shorter.

I was just measured at the doctor's office and I have lost 1/2 inch, but I am also 65 years old, I think it is more age than my hormones.

My sister who is 70 has lost 3 inches due to illnesses (we just talked about it last week).

Sarah L.

[Miniar]

Posture can affect height, some girls have talked about the tilt of their pelvis altering a little bit.
And I think that after 35-40 (I think I read that number somewhere), shrinkage due to age may kick in (it's a really slow process though and I have no idea how old you are and I don't guess.. especially not when it comes to women!.. so I think posture is a more probable cause.. but I figured I'd mention it anyway). Earlier if people aren't getting enough calcium and stuff.

[sarahb]

I have actually noticed a slight decrease in my height. I've always been 5' 8", now I'm about 5' 7 1/2". I know it's not from slouching or anything, and my pelvis has tilted quite a bit as well so maybe it's that. A lot of changes have happened throughout the process of HRT, so maybe the fat distribution, pelvis movement, and other things may have come together to knock that 1/2" off. Who knows, but I'm pretty sure I've shortened.

~Sarah

[MaggieB]

I lost a full inch.

Pelvis tilt with HRT? Never heard about that one.

Maggie

[sd]

More than a few mtf have found they shrank between 1 to 3 inches, a few ftm's have grown a bit as well. Age seems to not matter.

The most likely explanation is a thinning/loss of cartilage and maybe some fatty/muscular tissue on your feet and head.

[sarahb]

I lost a full inch.

Pelvis tilt with HRT? Never heard about that one.

Maggie

I read about it when I was first starting out and thought it was crazy. But, alas, it has definitely happened, no question about it. Although when I started HRT I was only 20, and I'm 24 now so it may be due to my age.

~Sarah

[Tammy Hope]

5'11" here.

I'll take all the shrinkage I can get!

Assuming I was the proper weight for my height, if a genie offered to take away one whole foot and the associated weight I'd be all over it.

Alas, 1-3" (hopefully!) will have to do.

[Alyssa M.]

My understanding was that posture is at least part of the reason for both hrt- and age-related shrinkage. That doesn't make it any less real: loss of muscle strength means that when you stand up straight, it's just a little bit less straight.

Funny story -- when I went for my appointment to get my first hrt 'script, the nurse who measured my height boxed me in in a funny way so that I couldn't really stand up straight -- basically, the measuring stand was in a awkward location. As a result, I lost a full inch immediately before starting hrt. I'd love to be 5'9" instead of 5'10", but I don't believe it.

Another funny thing: I have been told recently that since I began transitioning, I stand up straighter and slouch less. So maybe hrt increases height!

[Inphyy]

I'm 5'11-5'12!!!

And I hope hrt doesn't take away from my height, now-a-days men are becoming less awkward with tall girls and actually find tall girls sexy! 

[Vancha]

From a transman's perspective (who stands at about 5'6), there are so many tall girls these days, I feel even worse about my height because they want taller men.  What chance do I stand?  I think with the fact that people are getting bigger and taller these days, you all will do just fine, and blend in for the most part, particularly in the US.  Now, as for me, to blend in I'm going to need to move to Europe or Asia. 

[aubrey]

I measured around 9 months or so into HRT and had lost almost 2 inches, wonder what it is now a yr later ha. I've really been noticing alot of taller girls lately (or maybe it's that I'm shorter) in the stores, mostly teens, it's a confidence builder for sure!

[sd]

From a transman's perspective (who stands at about 5'6), there are so many tall girls these days, I feel even worse about my height because they want taller men.  What chance do I stand?  I think with the fact that people are getting bigger and taller these days, you all will do just fine, and blend in for the most part, particularly in the US.  Now, as for me, to blend in I'm going to need to move to Europe or Asia. 

Preferences about a mates height is just that, a preference, not a deal breaker (usually).

[FairyGirl]

I just mentioned in another thread I have lost a full inch+ in height since starting hrt (now @ 5'10"). I'm not sure if posture had anything to do with it because both times I measured by standing with my back against the wall and my heels against the baseboard. I assumed it was from general muscle shrinkage.

[K8]

From a transman's perspective (who stands at about 5'6), there are so many tall girls these days, I feel even worse about my height because they want taller men.  What chance do I stand?  I think with the fact that people are getting bigger and taller these days, you all will do just fine, and blend in for the most part, particularly in the US.  Now, as for me, to blend in I'm going to need to move to Europe or Asia. 

It's common for women to want men who are taller than they, but after becoming Kate the first man I had a crush on was three inches shorter than me.  (I saw him last night.  He's still 3 inches shorter than me and I still find him oddly attractive, but I think I'm getting over my crush. )

In the little town I live in, I know two women with advanced degrees, each of whom is married to a shorter man who works in construction.  (What're the odds? )

So if you've got what it takes, height isn't important.

- Kate

[Suzy]

In general, age makes you shorter.  Gravity operating on your joints and vertebrae will very slowly compress your body as you age.  HRT is coincidental to that.  In fact, a lot of women are even given estrogen after menopause to help guard against Osteoporosis.  So, if anything it might actually help a little.


Kristi

[FairyGirl]

but I measured just before HRT and again recently, and again just this morning. That's only about 7 months so not that much age! lol In general I've been fortunate with HRT and don't see how I ever lived without it. If it makes me shrink a little, oh well.

[Ender]

In general, age makes you shorter.  Gravity operating on your joints and vertebrae will very slowly compress your body as you age.  HRT is coincidental to that.  In fact, a lot of women are even given estrogen after menopause to help guard against Osteoporosis.  So, if anything it might actually help a little.

My grandmother has osteoporosis.

Her full young adult height: 5'6"
Aged 89, advanced osteoporosis: 4'6" and significant amounts of pain

[Silver]

Estrogen doesn't build as much bone mass as T, so your normal age-related shrinking might have been slightly accelerated. Muscles do not make you taller. I doubt it does very much, unless you are young enough for it to stunt your growth.

SilverFang

[Alex_C]

You can measure a good inch taller in the morning than in the evening, try it, measure yourself first thing in the morning then again at night before bed. Good old gravity, on a daily basis. Also, more weight may shorten you, lots of fat or muscle, either way.

Dang I'd love to gain even an inch on T, but I'm not holding out hope.