What if you just don't do harmone therapy?

[FairyGirl]

as I read this all cuddled up and warm and nekkie after having decided not to get out of bed for a few more days, i'm sure glad I didn't believe the naysayers when I started looking into hrt. My dramatically changed face, incredibly enhanced emotional capacity, this warm, soft, hairless skin and perky little b cups would never have happened.

'zackly.

[heatherrose]

...naysayers...

dramatically changed face, incredibly enhanced emotional capacity, this warm, soft, hairless skin and perky little b cups...

         

[Naturally Blonde]

as I read this all cuddled up and warm and nekkie after having decided not to get out of bed for a few more days, i'm sure glad I didn't believe the naysayers when I started looking into hrt. My dramatically changed face, incredibly enhanced emotional capacity, this warm, soft, hairless skin and perky little b cups would never have happened.

It still doesn't alter the fact that to the casual worker the guy didn't look any different on HRT or not. For you personally your skin may have improved and you may have some breast growth but overral it's very hard to tell who is and who isn't on HRT.

[heatherrose]

Thanks for exposing all of us as the liars that we are.

[FairyGirl]

the changes to my face were what outed me to my mom and sister because they could tell something was different and they both asked me about it. They live in another city and I only see them about once a month or so, and I could only blame it on the face cream for so long. I finally told them I was on therapist recommended and doctor prescibed hormone treatments, and that is actually how I finally came out to my family. They also noticed the breasts but the face changes were what originally gave me away. I had no idea what kind of results I would have when I started, but after a while I had no desire to try and "hide" who I really am from anybody. Accept me or don't, but I'll be damned if I'll pretend some lie because someone might have a problem with it.

The thing is we can't know before we begin how our minds or bodies are going to react to hormones. They are powerful and really should not be taken lightly or without doctor's supervision. To think otherwise is dangerous. This ain't baby aspirin we're talking about.

[Nero]

Speaking for myself I can say I think a lot more clearly and have been happier since HRT, though obviously it's not a cure all

Me too. I was surprised by this effect. It reminds me of when I put my glasses on in the morning (severely myopic). Everything goes from fuzzy to clear in an instant. It's really surprising because I never expected clarity or clear thinking to be gender or hormone-related.

[K8]

Not long after starting hormones, I read a post here from an FtM (I don't remember who) who described his changes in attitude and feeling after starting T.  It described perfectly the changes I felt getting off T and starting E.  I certainly didn't expect that.

I know what you mean about clarity, Nero.  It's like I can see the world (and myself) clearly now for the first time.

- Kate

[Naturally Blonde]

The thing is we can't know before we begin how our minds or bodies are going to react to hormones. They are powerful and really should not be taken lightly or without doctor's supervision. To think otherwise is dangerous. This ain't baby aspirin we're talking about.

I actually think the opposite. HRT is hyped up by the TG community as some sort of wonder drug but after many years on HRT (and seeing other people also on HRT) it isn't the holy grail people think it's going to be.

I'm not sure how HRT can be dangerous? Anti - androgens can be dangerous granted but I'm not sure about HRT. For me personally the effects have not provided me with danger, only frustration that they do not effect any real changes. The most you can hope for is a little breast growth and slightly softer skin tone.

[The None Blonde]

Most? I disagree.

Like some here, I've had a lot of change from hrt... I think it depends on age, luck, genetics, and random chance.... I belive there is some hype, but it does and can make a difference thats huge.
I've spoken to some people i knew before... and they didnt recognise me.... if thats no change, I don't know what is.

[vanna]

yes genetics, age, some luck all play... for those that are unlucky there is ffs and that is very dramatic on majority of cases

[Naturally Blonde]

Most? I disagree.

Like some here, I've had a lot of change from hrt... I think it depends on age, luck, genetics, and random chance.... I belive there is some hype, but it does and can make a difference thats huge.
I've spoken to some people i knew before... and they didnt recognise me.... if thats no change, I don't know what is.

Aye, people don't recognise me either, even relatives I haven't seen in a while but it's more to do with a different image change and hairstyle than HRT.

Also Non Blonde, you are very young and I'm not very young, so your effects from HRT will be much better than mine!

[K8]

The main dangers of a regimin of anti-androgens and estrogen are the risk of blood clots and liver damage.  It also increases your risks for certain cancers, deep vein thrombosis, and stroke.  And there are a long list of less likely increased risks.  For some people the risks are minor, while they are significant for others.  It is worth having a doctor check you out to make sure you aren't in a high-risk category.

I want to be a live woman rather than a dead woman wannabe.

- Kate

[The None Blonde]

Then again, one also looses the risks associated with the biological male body to an extent thanks to hrt....

Its les of 'new risk' and more.... trading risks.

I know i'd rather have breast cancer than testicular cancer.... the latter would be hard to explain lol.

[Hannah]

I'm not sure how HRT can be dangerous? Anti - androgens can be dangerous granted but I'm not sure about HRT

Well physically speaking I think it's a lot safer than it used to be, with micronised bioidenticals and doctors that are mostly cooperative. This idea that it's pointless though and not worthwhile is very dangerous. It could result in people not even trying and just ending their lives; or just as bad self medicating and megadosing trying to "beat the odds".

It's clear that we are going to have to agree to disagree on this.

[FairyGirl]

According to Dr. McGinn who provided me with a printout on the subject, it also increases chances of death in patients with prostate cancer being treated with radiation therapy, and patients (men) with coronary artery disease. This was from the Urology Times E-News, Sept. 10 2009 based on a study published in the JAMA (2009; 302:886-73).

To go around proclaiming that hormones do little or nothing for everyone because they have done little or nothing for you is the same as claiming that everyone will always have the optimal results possible. Personally, I've had amazing results in a relative short time. According to many people here, they have as well. But making wild statements about the efficacy of HRT based on your own poor experience is misleading to those who are searching for answers to the question of whether they should try hormones to alleviate their GID. Yes, HRT is a box of chocolates but a lot of people actually like chocolate.

[heatherrose]

Fairygirl,

I could not have said it better, as I have been struggling to come up the right words,
more than what I have already post on this subject, without looking like an ogre.

[Alyssa M.]

I'm on hrt as much for what it will prevent as what it will cause.

I don't want to go bald.
I don't want an incresingly tough and craggy face.
I don't want more and more body hair to develop.

In other words I'm scared of what I would become without hrt. I was scared enough when puberty hit, and basically gave up hope when my fears were realized, but it just ... kept ... getting ... worse.

I like what hrt does. I like my breasts, however puny. I like my soft skin, smoother for having a bit less hair (and much smoother than they would be without hrt, considering how things were going). I like the glow in my cheeks. I like the more graceful appearance of my arms. And I like that my sex drive is no longer at odds with my desire for intimacy.

[Naturally Blonde]

I'm on hrt as much for what it will prevent as what it will cause.

I don't want to go bald.
I don't want an incresingly tough and craggy face.
I don't want more and more body hair to develop.

In other words I'm scared of what I would become without hrt. I was scared enough when puberty hit, and basically gave up hope when my fears were realized, but it just ... kept ... getting ... worse.

I like what hrt does. I like my breasts, however puny. I like my soft skin, smoother for having a bit less hair (and much smoother than they would be without hrt, considering how things were going). I like the glow in my cheeks. I like the more graceful appearance of my arms. And I like that my sex drive is no longer at odds with my desire for intimacy.

Great post Alyssa....and I feel the same about it