I took spiro for four months before going on estro because of the expense of getting to and paying for the endo, + I did it for the sake of my family (I was going nuts and needed to feel like I was on SOMETHING, but I knew they were still having lots of trouble). As it was, it was still too much for them, my wife and I never slept in the same bedroom again since a few days after I started, and I moved out three months later. Sigh. (But I digress!)
Within a month of starting spiro (standard dose size), I was able to note the basic major changes, including skin softening and sensitivity. Also felt temperature a lot more easily, I am sure I was colder than before. I found myself sometimes startled to tears unexpected; it was easily for emotions to make me physically cry. I think I noticed some lessening of body and urine odor as well. Maybe some thinning of body hair diameter (so the hairs were not as thick), but that took more time -- by the time I was really sure, I had been on estro a month or two.
And yes, I had some minor breast development, to the point where I felt uncomfortable wearing white t-shirts if they weren't extremely baggy. My butt also gained fat on the back and underhang, although my hips did not really grow at all.
When I went on estro, things really kicked in, though; I thought my skin had been sensitive and soft before? Well, WOW (!).
Yes, I advise taking photos every so often. It's interesting to chart the progress, many of the visual changes are slow ones but they do accumulate. You basically will first find yourself wondering, "Huh, am I REALLY seeing something here?" and then a few weeks or month later, you'll know for sure.
