<edited to compile updates in first post for easy reading!>*****2 Month HRT Update*****So, I'm officially at the 2 month mark on HRT, and knowing how curious I was about development before I started, I thought I would do my part and share.
First off, I am in the mid 30's minority. I had no idea what to realistically expect as it seems to be such an in between age compared to most transitioners, and as we all know YMMV.
The biggest and most immediate change was mood and personality - all positive. Of course, some of this is just general "I'm doing it!" happies, but according to my wife and friends, there has been a distinct and noticeable change. The whole male ego and testosterone fueled grrr's seems to have just disappeared. I can't say that I'm more emotional, as I was always fairly feeling in that respect, but I do seem less likely to hide it. My wife and I never really fight fight, but like any married couple we do bicker occasionally. This has not happened even once since I've been on HRT. In fact she has joked that all wives should have their husbands on HRT, as it makes for a happier home! Speaking of happier, I also no longer seem to get depressed and moody (or is that broody?) as easily... in fact not at all in the last 2 months which is like a new record for me!
All in all the best way to describe the emotional changes would be to say that I am happier in every way, and by extension so are the people around me. In fact, my wife and I are closer than ever, and feel like we're in the honeymoon stage all over again!
Physically I haven't noticed much. The biggest is breast growth. I lost and subsequently put back on about 10 pounds since starting HRT, and all of it seemed to go to my breasts! Of course this is more fat distribution than actual breast growth, but I've also had nipple bumps since about my second week, which struck me as early. They've grown slightly as well, although there has been no change to the nipple as of yet. I also massage them as I've heard it is good for breast growth, and noticed that they are expressing a small amount of clear fluid. They are also very
very tender... I walked into a doorway the other day (don't ask) and it hurt. A lot.
There has apparently been some very subtle facial changes as well, which my wife pointed out a few days ago. Nothing obvious enough to put her finger on though... more skin tone/texture than facial structure. No change in body hair, although as I shave most of it that's hard to say. Head hair is less greasy, as is my skin in general.
As I wasn't expecting any noticeable changes in the first few months because of my age, I must say that I am quite happy with my progress.
No negatives I've noticed, although I haven't had my 3 month mark blood test yet.
On the personal side, I am a bit disappointed with myself for slacking on voice practice and weight loss, but life has been crazy hectic with things out of my control so I am not stressing about it. If I don't start focusing soon though, I will definitely be having words with myself.
-Gwen
*****3 Month HRT Update*****I just got back from my Endo appt, and as promised I'm providing an update!
First off, my blood test came back excellent! No danger signs, and Cholesterol and everything seems to be improving. For the curious, I'll provide my before and after hormone levels.
Testosterone: 8.4, now 1.8 (yippee!)
Estradiol 100, now 191
Prolactin 6.3, now 6.5
The only change to my prescription was my Spiro, and the doc doubled my dosage. I don't want to get in any trouble, so I won't mention specifics! Next appointment is in 4 months.
VERY VERY happy to have taken to HRT with no issues so far!
-Gwen
*****6 Month HRT Update*****Where to begin?
First off I totally forgot to ask for a copy of my bloodwork, so I am working by memory which is dangerous at the best of times
In regards to changes in the last few months there haven't been ANY. On the up side, it means that emotionally I've still been on a high, but physically everything just stopped. I feel like I've been in stasis for the last 3 months. Grrrr... and when I got my blood test results it became obvious why. My T skyrocketed back up to 6-point-something!!! I could tell for the last few months that there was an imbalance in the force, what with... well, let's just say it seemed obvious to me!
My endo is AWESOME and totally understood how upset I was about this news - although he did say he was more surprised that it had dropped so much initially, than with it being at the level it is now. Instead of jacking up my Spiro again, he decided (since my bloodwork has been consistently healthy?) to switch me over to cyproterone acetate (androcur) to see if I respond to it better. *fingers crossed* I've been googling it like mad, and most reviews (for HRT) are positive, but if anyone has an experience to add please do!
My E was up, but only marginally (low 200's I think?) so he's also increased my Estrogel dose by 50%.
All in all I'm really excited. I mean, I do feel bummed that the last few months were sort of wasted, but I'm focusing on looking forward to the next few months and hoping for some noticeable changes.
-Gwen
*****10 Month HRT Update*****A small aside, but over the last few months I completed the Gender Journeys program at Sherbourne Health Centre, and met a lot of really wonderful people through it. Meeting other trans-people in the really real world is just amazing. So, with new friends, busy work and some (unrelated to my transition) health problems, real life has been distracting enough that I've only rarely popped on here, but I did want to keep up with my HRT updates for those that are interested.
When last I posted, I was recovering from the blahs after finding out that my T levels had gone back up almost to where they were before starting HRT. Changes were slow to nonexistant during that time period, and I generally felt that it was months wasted. As mentioned, my endo switched me to cypro because of this - just a small dose, but it worked wonders!
Physically I noticed an almost immediate decrease in libido, and, ummm, well, less ejaculate (eventually none) during orgasm. I've also had some serious breast development in just the last 3 months! I took this as a pretty good sign!
Emotionally, there was some adjustment until I realized that not taking it with food = bad. I mean, I always thought that when they say to take a medicine with food, it's usually because of some physical side effect - upset stomach perhaps. I just didn't expect turning in to an emotional whirlwind to be a side effect of taking this on an empty stomach, so it took a while to figure out what was happening! If I forgot to take it with food I turned either into a huge bitch, or a whiny cry baby. It was soooo much fun... not. But, now that I know not to take it on an empty stomach all is well, and my emotions are no longer crazy. Fairly comparable to when I was on Spiro which = happy happy!
I got my blood test results back, and aside from my sex hormones, my various other blood indicators have all improved greatly. Yeah! I am always terrified of having some kind of reaction that would make me have to stop HRT, and with the cypro being a new factor I was really worried so this was a huge relief. So, on to the results!
Testosterone is down to 0.6 nmol/L (Happy Dance!)
Prolactin is up to 30 ng/ml and the all important
Estradiol is up to 402 pmol/L
Huzzah! My endo said this is a really good place to be, and kept my prescription the same as it was with a check up in 4 months.
-G
