HRT-tell me your story

[Jennie]

Hi, I am Jennie and I am M2F, I have my 1st appoint ment with my first therapist next week, I am excited and nervous but I had a question for all you girls that are on HRT.
Please tell me the things you experienced with HRT, I do not want to know the obvious things that we all know like you start to grow boobs, I want to know all the other things that people rarly mention, like did you ever have nite sweats or do you get a upset stomach, does it make you gain weight or loose it, do you find it adictive anything that you might have noticed, what were some of the changes that you noticed that are not talked about much.  thanks very much.

Jennie

[ClaireA]

I did notice that taking Spiro sometimes triggers a migraine for me, or it makes a headache I already have worse.

[pebbles]

Okay sure I wrote them down somewhere. You want the odd changes that weren't listed in the academic books I read.

0-1month (Jan)
1: Body odur I became very sensitive to man smell. Not only that I had a preference innately it was odd I liked the smell of men who smelled like friends I've known for a long time I was never aware of it.
2: Temporary cognitive changes I became fuzzy headed for my first week or two.
3: Emotional changes, I felt less competitively driven, And my negative emotions had less of an aggressive edge on them.
4: Eye pain and headaches.
5: body hair grew slower.
6: Hair and skin became less greasy
7: Nipples became sore and sensitive
8: Creepy purplish groove appearing on the penis over time it spread from the top of the penis to just before my anus begins... From what I can gather my body was hap hazardly trying to "vascularize the vagina" a non exsistant structure
9: Food cravings changes in taste, Desire for protein fat salt and lemons?? Less desire for sweet things.
10: Breast buds and bashing them carelessly for a few months

+1month (Feb)
11: Skin became softer
12: some body hair falling out
13: Dry skin.
14: Dry eyes (Temporary)
15: Slight softening of features

+2months (March)
16: genital atrophy and shrinkage
16b: Fat getting stuck on hips and ass.
16c: Loss of muscle mass.

+4months (May 10)
17: Freckles!! Hundreds of them all over my body!! mostly on my face and arms however I still have a fair few even now in winter this was never mentioned to me in any textbook.
18: Bra now not optional.
19: Small feminine waist appearing.

+6months
19: Androgynous looking 50/50 reading
20: The ridge on teh penis and scrotum grows and takes on an unusual thinner texture.
21: Head hair regrowth along hairline mostly some on the temples too Didn't know I had hairloss.

Beyond that it was really just more of the same... and me becoming more confident and getting my own style. haircut, Name change makeup clothes ect.

[Nicky]

Hi Jennie!

I've been on hormones about a year now.

I get headaches too - they are quite distinctive. I call them hormone headaches.

Um, totally getting night sweats and day sweats - hot flushes, though those are settling down now.

I don't get cold like I used to. In fact I seem to feel it less than those around me and people complain I don't wear enough. It is like I have a furnace inside me. I sometimes wonder if my body thinks it is constantly ovulating...

I've lost a lot of weight, but this is more likely to do with my antidepressants.

My nails have changed, tend to flake more, but they also seem thicker.

I crave salad with vinegrettes and lots of salt.

I'm totally addicted! lol. I'm not stopping my estrogen.

[VeryGnawty]

I just started a couple of months ago trying to use more "natural" methods to alter the body.  I think it's slower overall than traditional HRT.  But I have experienced some of the symptoms that I've seen people describing in here.

I get headaches too - they are quite distinctive. I call them hormone headaches.

YES!  For the longest time, I almost never got a headache, ever.  Now I am getting them frequently.  But mine are very mild, so they haven't affected my daily functioning too much.  I also get mild cramps, but they go away quickly.

Um, totally getting night sweats and day sweats - hot flushes, though those are settling down now.

I haven't noticed much unusual sweating.  But my sweat smells different than it did.

I don't get cold like I used to. In fact I seem to feel it less than those around me and people complain I don't wear enough.

I've been getting this a lot.  I was always the coldest person in the house.  But now everyone else is always turning up the thermostat instead of me.

I've lost a lot of weight, but this is more likely to do with my antidepressants.

I haven't really gained or lost any weight.  I'm really skinny to begin with.  But some of that weight has shifted locations.

My nails have changed, tend to flake more, but they also seem thicker.

I don't know if my nails are thicker, but they are much stronger.

I crave salad with vinegrettes and lots of salt.

I haven't gotten much in the way of cravings or hunger, but that's probably from my skill at fasting.

I'm totally addicted! lol. I'm not stopping my estrogen.

That exact same thing happened to me.  I started doing my diet and exercise routines to try to feminize the body.  The more I do it, the more of an addictive quality it has.  It makes me feel so good that I want to go do it again.

[Janet_Girl]

OK so far I guess I am the longest.  I am coming up on 34 months HRT.

I do get very irritable once a month.  But things mellow out when I begin my progesterone.

Headaches no.  Went through the hot flashes after Orchie.

Body hair is lighter,  Sweating is normal.  I am a lot more sensitive to hot and cold.  My weight went down and I was happy, but it went back up because people said I need fat to get boobs.  Boobs I have, almost a C.  But no hips or butt.    Skin is softer and thiner.

[JessicaR]

I think that one of the nicest surprises was the freckles :-) I didn't see THAT side effect anywhere X-D

I've always LOVED freckles and was so happy to have my own... They fade in winter but the spring sun on my nose and cheeks wakes them up again.

I  think the best thing that no one seems to talk about is..... um.....    a feeling of sorts...

As the female sexual response grew I began to feel it when I fantasized... I started feeling it about 1 1/2 years into HRT. I had no idea exactly what it was until I described it to a G Girlfriend and she recognized it from her intimate moments. For me, it begins in my abdominal area and radiates up and out... especially intense when I breathe out. It's not really a sexual feeling per se but it feels REALLY GOOD. 

  Oh yeah..... I get mad cravings sometimes.... I'm currently on a Slim Jim kick.

[HitOrMiss.]

I'm a newbie at 6.5 weeks. For me, so far the only things I've experienced is a lack of all the stuff that everyone else talks about, except for two things.
1. Breast tenderness/growth/painful sensitivity.
2. Randomly feeling/getting really cold (opposite effect of what was mentioned above). No little furnace for me. My hands and feet can get to room temperature easily during these cold spells...

Everyone is different.

[ClaireA]

+6months
19: Androgynous looking 50/50 reading
20: The ridge on teh penis and scrotum grows and takes on an unusual thinner texture.
21: Head hair regrowth along hairline mostly some on the temples too Didn't know I had hairloss.

I'm having the hair growth thing too. It's really weird - I have never "lost" any hair whatsoever in my life (totally serious), but now its almost like my hairline is advancing about a cm. It's pretty distinct - the new hair is growing out of a place that I haven't seen hair before, and by the length, it looks like it started coming in about 3 months ago. 6 - 3 = 3 months into HRT, but then again I was on HRT for six months prior to stopping for a month in July, so not really sure how long it takes.

I'm a newbie at 6.5 weeks. For me, so far the only things I've experienced is a lack of all the stuff that everyone else talks about, except for two things.
1. Breast tenderness/growth/painful sensitivity.
2. Randomly feeling/getting really cold (opposite effect of what was mentioned above). No little furnace for me. My hands and feet can get to room temperature easily during these cold spells...

Everyone is different.

I'm with you on this one - I've always been a chilly person, and HRT only seems to make it worse. I've got a space heater under my desk at work that is on all day.

[Lilydev]

So I've noticed a few of the same things over the last three months.

- headache/migrain
- I now get cold a lot more (I used to run hot)
- very different quality to orgasms, I can't really put my finger on it but it's really different. It's not really good or bad just different.
- Yes on the fuzzy thoughts
- and the biggest win has been that I seem to no longer be suffering from epididymitis (and other cysts growth) on my testicle. This seems to have subsided completely now and I no longer suffer with crippling bouts of testicular pain.

[Nicky]

Oh, something else I got was some pigmentation on the skin near the outer corners of my eyes, a bit like sun spots, like a darkening of the skin. My beautician said it is hormonal and a lot of pregnant woman get that but it clears up in time.

[Jennie]

Thanks everyone for the replies so far.  How did you girls feel when you started HRT as concerns your GID and the pain you feel before you transition, for me it is always there and it makes me tense all the time, I am always grinding or clenching my teeth and my jaw hurts from doing it all the time, does this get better with the HRT and if so when did you first notice the reduction in pain (for me it is like a mental pain).
Also I noticed that when I see a girl I get even more tense and uptight, sometimes to the point of wanting to punch something, not someone and the feeling is not directed at anyone it is just the frustration of my stiuation, because I would see a girl and then I would think DAM I wish I was born like that or I wish I could be a girl on the outside like her, have any of you felt that and did it disipate with the HRT?  Thanks again.

Jennie

[pebbles]

Thanks everyone for the replies so far.  How did you girls feel when you started HRT as concerns your GID and the pain you feel before you transition, for me it is always there and it makes me tense all the time, I am always grinding or clenching my teeth and my jaw hurts from doing it all the time, does this get better with the HRT and if so when did you first notice the reduction in pain (for me it is like a mental pain).
Also I noticed that when I see a girl I get even more tense and uptight, sometimes to the point of wanting to punch something, not someone and the feeling is not directed at anyone it is just the frustration of my stiuation, because I would see a girl and then I would think DAM I wish I was born like that or I wish I could be a girl on the outside like her, have any of you felt that and did it disipate with the HRT?  Thanks again.

Jennie

The envy  takes longer to go away it's not an instant release by any means however once on HRT you knew your body was on your side and not dragging you down the male route so you want to be female as quickly as possible. You have to learn to resist this pull and juggle the priorities in your life.

What do I do goto a boring lecture or get electrolysis?

I even now get envy for normal women begin hrt for a year and full time now "Why do I have to go through the pain of electrolysis"
"Why arn't I allowed to simply fall in love? I'm so lonley"

I don't enjoy begin transsexual however begin female is pretty enjoyable.

[Carlita]

Okay sure I wrote them down somewhere. You want the odd changes that weren't listed in the academic books I read.

0-1month (Jan)
1: Body odur I became very sensitive to man smell. Not only that I had a preference innately it was odd I liked the smell of men who smelled like friends I've known for a long time I was never aware of it.
2: Temporary cognitive changes I became fuzzy headed for my first week or two.
3: Emotional changes, I felt less competitively driven, And my negative emotions had less of an aggressive edge on them.
4: Eye pain and headaches.
5: body hair grew slower.
6: Hair and skin became less greasy
7: Nipples became sore and sensitive
8: Creepy purplish groove appearing on the penis over time it spread from the top of the penis to just before my anus begins... From what I can gather my body was hap hazardly trying to "vascularize the vagina" a non exsistant structure
9: Food cravings changes in taste, Desire for protein fat salt and lemons?? Less desire for sweet things.
10: Breast buds and bashing them carelessly for a few months

+1month (Feb)
11: Skin became softer
12: some body hair falling out
13: Dry skin.
14: Dry eyes (Temporary)
15: Slight softening of features

+2months (March)
16: genital atrophy and shrinkage
16b: Fat getting stuck on hips and ass.
16c: Loss of muscle mass.

+4months (May 10)
17: Freckles!! Hundreds of them all over my body!! mostly on my face and arms however I still have a fair few even now in winter this was never mentioned to me in any textbook.
18: Bra now not optional.
19: Small feminine waist appearing.

+6months
19: Androgynous looking 50/50 reading
20: The ridge on teh penis and scrotum grows and takes on an unusual thinner texture.
21: Head hair regrowth along hairline mostly some on the temples too Didn't know I had hairloss.

Beyond that it was really just more of the same... and me becoming more confident and getting my own style. haircut, Name change makeup clothes ect.

This is a really interesting and helpful timeline ... and the effects of the HRT are very clear - and all in a VERY good way!!- from your changing avatar pics. It's really working for you!

[JessicaR]

Thanks everyone for the replies so far.  How did you girls feel when you started HRT as concerns your GID and the pain you feel before you transition, for me it is always there and it makes me tense all the time, I am always grinding or clenching my teeth and my jaw hurts from doing it all the time, does this get better with the HRT and if so when did you first notice the reduction in pain (for me it is like a mental pain).
Also I noticed that when I see a girl I get even more tense and uptight, sometimes to the point of wanting to punch something, not someone and the feeling is not directed at anyone it is just the frustration of my stiuation, because I would see a girl and then I would think DAM I wish I was born like that or I wish I could be a girl on the outside like her, have any of you felt that and did it disipate with the HRT?  Thanks again.

I think that you might find the initial drop in testosterone after starting HRT might be just what you need... I was tense ALL the time..  It's funny how we don't realize what male hormones were doing to us until they're gone :-) I calmed down lots after a few months. The feeling of frustration in not looking as you want is normal... we've all felt it..  It's just something that women do, genetic and Trans. I think that, after a drastic reduction in T, you'll still admire women you would like to look like but it won't make you as angry.

For me, it was switching to full time that caused the most dramatic change in my emotional state. Hormones set the stage but what was really magical was finally facing the world as "Me." I'd have to say that, after that, most of the anxiety, anger and depression subsided.

[VeryGnawty]

I think that you might find the initial drop in testosterone after starting HRT might be just what you need... I was tense ALL the time..  It's funny how we don't realize what male hormones were doing to us until they're gone :-) I calmed down lots after a few months. The feeling of frustration in not looking as you want is normal... we've all felt it..  It's just something that women do, genetic and Trans. I think that, after a drastic reduction in T, you'll still admire women you would like to look like but it won't make you as angry.

This is exactly what has been happening to me.  When I was more masculine, I didn't even realize how tense I was!  Now I relax a lot more.

I also know what you are talking about with being around women.  Before, even seeing an attractive woman set off huge dysphoria.  Now it isn't as bad.  Instead of rage, I just get jealous.  Sometimes I just get simple envy.  But it's becoming easier everyday to think of myself as a woman or be around them without feeling awkward or dysphoric.

[HitOrMiss.]

I've never felt any sort of anger or rage when I see a woman. I do feel envy though.
But at the same time, thoughts like that almost always lead straight into other thoughts for me. Thoughts like: What if that girl IS trans (MtF)? or what if that girl is a FtM and is struggling just like I am?
Or I might have a thought like: Sure it would have been great to be born like that, but at the same time, if that was the case then I would likely have remained blind to the sorts of issues that trans people have to deal with, which would be unfortunate.
Other times, I think about the bright side of it. At least I won't have to deal with the menstrual cycle (not that I won't have 1000 other things to worry about).

[Rock_chick]

I used to feel envy...I had a job as a club photographer and I'd be in tears when I walked home. However that's kind of stopped, because for some reason people seem to feel I'm pretty and it feels mean and petty to envy someone when they're telling you how good you look.

Also...HRT ruined my nails...they're like paper.