Susan's Place Transgender Resources

Hey there folks!

The questions I'm about to ask have answers that can be found here, I know that. But I wanted more details about specific parts of the evolution...

I've always felt like a woman, and starting my transition as a 29 years' old gotta be one of the greatest things to ever happen to me. Thing is, I'm really starting to worry that nothing will ever change. I know, I know, crazy, right?
I started taking progesterone pills and applying Estreva gel in mid-september, and I feel like nothing has changed. Nothing. No side-effect, nothing. Well, I'm kind of lying I guess, but I am so excited about the whole thing that the things I feel or see might just come from my imagination. For example, I'm more likely to cry, but I'm currently going through a really hard part of my life, so crying isn't really surprising. I also feel like my eyes have become more "lady-like", I can't really explain... And my body hair seem to grow more slowly... Maybe.

Actually, the only thing that I think is true is about my breasts. They kind of tingled two weeks ago, like I wanted to scratch them but it never eased the itchiness. It lasted for a few days, and now I feel like my nipples are more sensitive. They might be a little bigger but I'm not sure at all.... But they gotta be more sensitive, they harden and wake up every now and then and it is a little pleasurable.I don't know.


I know these things take time and all, but can the itchiness and stuff be the first steps of my breasts growing? What about the hair? I mean, I am not actually sure these things happen... I just don't know what to look for, it really makes me anxious because I freakin' want something to happen, be it a big butt or crying all day long. Anything! Can anybody tell me about the first things that might happen please?

*edit for dosage

so its been 6 weeks

Did you do a blood test before starting with any hormone stuff? No, problem, you can do a blood test now, and see where you're at, and two months later do another, to see if there is any difference. Better than doing it on your own, is to have an endocrinologist, or some other type of doctor (like gynecologist, etc), who will know all things that need to be checked, and actually know how to read results. And based on this, they will be able to prescribe you with medications that you need (you dont really need progesterone, before you take estradiol for 2+ years...) and monitor your liver and other important functions that can be affected by taking hormones.
Changes take time, and for those who want a really big boobs overnight, there is a simple silicone solution (which is also much like progesterone a better idea after 2 years of slow development)...

So you have itchiness in breast... You see, something is happening!! Don't worry too much, but rather try to enjoy all this process as much as possible :)

Hi Bloombox, welcome to Susan's Place!

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Hugs,
Jill

Changes on hrt are best measured across years, you will be knocking yourself down all the time if you are looking for massive differences every day/week. Just give it time hun, this stuff really works

Welcome to the forum!

HRT will take as long as regular puberty so at least two years for the majority of changes to happen. And even then it can't undo some effects of testosterone. Presumably your endo started you off on a moderate dose anyway and will adjust in time as necessary and suitable to ensure the process is safe.

And yes, itchiness is a sign of breast development, but there's a whole lot more going on in the glands than just making the boobs grow, certainly they will not pop up over night, just as they do not for cis girls.

Yes, it works! haha Depending on your dosage of hormones & how well your body reacts to the new hormones, will it begin reacting. My body reacted amazingly to the hormones & I didn't even get any breast tenderness until the 2nd month. I remember being just like you though & wanting the hormones to work as quick as possible but it's really a slight thing haha They work & with great effects, but it takes time. It's a bunch of little changes that accumulate over about a 2-5 year time. I've been on hormones for 15 months now & I don't even see myself half complete with the changes. I feel like it's something that will keep continuing for several years. Just be patient & live your life & let the hormones do their course :) Once you feel passable & content the changes will seem to happen quicker because you'll stop gawking in the mirror trying to look for them haha

So yeah... It's been a mere six weeks, I know. I do see an endocrinologist. I live in France and she's used to take care of transsexuals. I had blood tests (and an extremely low level of testosterone) which were good and she prescribed me this medication. I didn't take them on my own! :)
Then again, I don't know about the usefulness of progesterone or anything. I know how the things work, but she strongly advised me to take them as soon as right now. So... Yeah. Dunno :)

I'm not especially looking for breast growth... I mean I sure am, but I'm looking for any kind of change. I guess I'm a bit like TSJasmine, I don't have any side effect or anything. It's like I'm even doing anything! I'm not so sure about the itchiness, it only lasted for a couple of days or so, but my nipples do seem more sensitive now. I just... Don't know.

I've read so many stories about people having the first results within the first weeks or people having no breast at all 3 years later that I'm kind of anxious about the whole thing :/


Thank you Jill ! Duly noted and read :)

Quote from: Bloombox on October 31, 2014, 02:49:55 PM
Hey there folks!

The questions I'm about to ask have answers that can be found here, I know that. But I wanted more details about specific parts of the evolution...

I've always felt like a woman, and starting my transition as a 29 years' old gotta be one of the greatest things to ever happen to me. Thing is, I'm really starting to worry that nothing will ever change. I know, I know, crazy, right?
I started taking progesterone pills and applying Estreva gel in mid-september, and I feel like nothing has changed. Nothing. No side-effect, nothing. Well, I'm kind of lying I guess, but I am so excited about the whole thing that the things I feel or see might just come from my imagination. For example, I'm more likely to cry, but I'm currently going through a really hard part of my life, so crying isn't really surprising. I also feel like my eyes have become more "lady-like", I can't really explain... And my body hair seem to grow more slowly... Maybe.

Actually, the only thing that I think is true is about my breasts. They kind of tingled two weeks ago, like I wanted to scratch them but it never eased the itchiness. It lasted for a few days, and now I feel like my nipples are more sensitive. They might be a little bigger but I'm not sure at all.... But they gotta be more sensitive, they harden and wake up every now and then and it is a little pleasurable.I don't know.


I know these things take time and all, but can the itchiness and stuff be the first steps of my breasts growing? What about the hair? I mean, I am not actually sure these things happen... I just don't know what to look for, it really makes me anxious because I freakin' want something to happen, be it a big butt or crying all day long. Anything! Can anybody tell me about the first things that might happen please?

*edit for dosage

Hey boombox.
HRT works miracles it really does but it does take time for it to work.
I've been on HRT since June of 2014 so about five months for me now.
Probably around the 4 month mark is when I noticed a lot of changes such as
Fat redistribution, HUGE weight loss (I lost 40 lbs), Very emotional (I was watching south park and cried), Boobs are super noticeable sensitivity sometimes becomes unbearable and I protect them with my life if I hit them it hurts like no other!  At times its hard to wear a shirt without a bra anymore bra's are honestly your saving grace from them being mauled to death.
Super soft skin c : less hairy hair grows back so slow on my legs and body only hair i have to worry about is facial really. 
All great things!
Progesterone is good I take it I get a shot once every 3 months
I also take estrodial pills and gel.
Everything will work out c :

6 weeks is an awfully short time for anything visible to happen.

Time, time and more time, HRT works but but it takes time.

How long does it take for a teenage girl to develop into a woman when she hits puberty, that's the time it will take HRT to work.

Bloombox
Welcome to Susan's family.

Puberty in humans takes years.

Yours will happen in its own time.

Do what your endo wants and things will progress.

Not everything you read holds truth, your own process is unique.

Relax and enjoy.

Thank you very much for your answers! But I guess they are actually working, my nipples are nearly always pointing and pretty freakin' sensitive.

But yeah. Puberty. Right, you're all right. I think I tend to think about HRT like some kind of magic potion you see... I'm just scared that nobody happens and, I guess, created a topic for nothing. Hooray! Thank you for putting up with me \o/

Quote from: Bloombox on November 03, 2014, 03:36:27 AM
I guess, created a topic for nothing

Nah, you just have doubts and it's totally normal :) It's always better to ask than keep evrything inside you and die from worry about it.
Good luck with yours HRT ! Just give your body some time and evrything will be fine :)

Patience must have young padawan ;)

Quote from: Bloombox on November 03, 2014, 03:36:27 AM
I guess, created a topic for nothing.

No, you should not feel that way

Asking questions is a good thing, without asking questions no-one would learn anything

It just takes time, and in time I believe you will find yourself pleasantly surprised with your results

In the meantime, participate and share your experiences with others among the many topics available

Tell us more about yourself and the various aspects of life you find interesting and enjoyable

We are all friends, including you  :)

Hugs

V M

It's great to have you here and sharing, we are all learning from each other, sharing and helping when and where we can and trust me we are all just as impatient :)

Quote from: Bloombox on November 03, 2014, 03:36:27 AM
Thank you very much for your answers! But I guess they are actually working, my nipples are nearly always pointing and pretty freakin' sensitive.

But yeah. Puberty. Right, you're all right. I think I tend to think about HRT like some kind of magic potion you see... I'm just scared that nobody happens and, I guess, created a topic for nothing. Hooray! Thank you for putting up with me \o/

Takes time. Long time. I think I'm approaching 4.5 years.. Boobs still changing.
I'm getting osteoperosis. Hrt has damaged my bone density. Permanently.
Its not all flowers and candy floss.   

YAAAY I FEEL A LITTLE SOMETHING ROUND AND PAINFUL UNDER MY LEFT NIPPLE I mean I think I'm not sure maybe I'm overreacting Oh God what am I doing what have I turned into...



More seriously, something strange and unpleasant is happening to my penis right. I don't like that sausage, I want to get rid of it, but I have to put up with it for the time being... And the thing is, it's drying out. The head is. Nearly no erections but for sex, so that's cool, except that it's nearly unusable : the tip is dry like crazy. I even have a hard time pulling down the skin to clean it. And yes, it is a little painful. I can't reach orgasm either.

I'm taking Estreva (gel) et Progesterone. The latest doesn't seem to be the culprit : I ran out a week ago and had to do without them for a week, and nothing changed. So... Yeah. Any solution? Is it normal? Thank you :)




No Dosages Please

6 weeks on HRT is literally nothing. Even 6 months are nothing (I remember myself at 6 months landmark thinking otherwise but...). I cant really say that 18 months are much, but things are happening all along and I am still expecting some changes for the next year or two.
So, calm down and stop worrying :).

Yes HRT works  :-*

Now... it works at different rates and ways depending on you / your endocrine system... after 11 years, womanly figure (well very close too) reasonable breasts (well only 34B... but happy as) great skin feeling and condition, no more body hair (wish I could say same about face, although reduced), diminishing hair on limbs etc... So, sooo happy with results. However, has taken 9 to 11 years to appreciate the changes... worth waiting for... but I am very mature  :-X

Good luck... welcome to the forum too  :)

Love Katy

I been om HRT for about 15 years and I started at age 16 and now im 31. I was prescribed estrogen bottles and progesterone at my clinic and each time I moved, I showed the new clinic I registered in, my prescription papers and they would prescribe the same to me once I was assured and checked by my physician.

In the first few months, you will notice and feel your breast growing just a little, and the signs of it itching means that it's working, so DON'T scratch!!! Use lotion to rub it on the part where it itches.

You will also get moody and emotions will increase. There wll be vomiting and increase of appetite. I still take HRT once a week every friday and inject it on the upper part of my buttocks as I was told since that is where the most fat is. Once I am done, I eat some food and sugary stuff or drink soda or juice and also take prenatal vitamins. DO NOT OVERDOSE OR USE MORE THAN WHAT HAS BEEN PRESCRIBED TO YOU! It can cause cancer or kidney failure or stroke if you do not listen to your doctor's instructions.

Other than that, it won't help you with your voice maybe slightly. But it will make you have a radiant female glow and skin will gradually become softer after 6 or more months. What also is helpful is taking B12 pills which will help with hair, nails, and skin to become softer. Although HRT will have all it's effects and side effects, your body hair will slow down but will NEVER stop. You'll have to get electrolysis or laser.

As for all that, I am now post op since I just got my srs + BA done by Dr Chettawut just 3 weeks ago.

Good luck on your journey. A long journey and worth it. Making the effort and not rush things, will give you great results.

Thank you for all your replies! But my question is now - ironically - centered around my dried unsuable manhood. Is that normal?

And why shouldn't I scratch itchy boobs?  ???

Shrinkage of the penis and gonads is normal, the other thing that stops happening is those spontaneous erections during the middle if the night, those happen for a reason and without them you might experience some discomfort during erections and it might feel like the foreskin is too tight. You will also see a significant decrease in the volume of ejeculant or even what are referred to as dry orgasms. I can't attest to the dryness but if you are worried I would seek out a doctor and ask him.

Quote from: Bloombox on November 19, 2014, 06:59:36 AM
Thank you for all your replies! But my question is now - ironically - centered around my dried unsuable manhood. Is that normal?

And why shouldn't I scratch itchy boobs?  ???

Quote from: Bloombox on November 19, 2014, 06:59:36 AM
Thank you for all your replies! But my question is now - ironically - centered around my dried unsuable manhood. Is that normal?

And why shouldn't I scratch itchy boobs?  ???

Body Lotion, a small amount on the genitals to moisturize them and a bit more to massage the itchy breasts

Scratching at the breasts will just irritate them more, the lotion will help to soothe them and soften the skin
 
This is the one I use, it contains vitamin e, possibly there is something similar in your area

(https://sp.yimg.com/ib/th?id=HN.608022148036759095&pid=15.1&P=0)

Nah, I don't have any "dry orgasm" yet, I just can't reach orgasm at all :/.


Thank you all for your answers! :)
I will go see a physician for my dry penis anyway, I just wanted to know whether this was something common... And whether there was any "common cure".

Perhaps you misunderstood  :D  I was not talking about orgasms, I was talking about skin care

I've been on HRT since September 2012 yet my most significant changes didn't start until January 2014 and seem to be accelerating a bit.

Patience. Give the hormones lots and lots of patience. :)

Quote from: Bloombox on November 19, 2014, 06:59:36 AM
Thank you for all your replies! But my question is now - ironically - centered around my dried unsuable manhood. Is that normal?

And why shouldn't I scratch itchy boobs?  ???

Your scrotum and penis will shrink and as months will pass each time you take hormones, your semen will gradually get depleted and you'll be shooting blanks. The reason you shouldn't scratch your nipples or around it is because you don't want to develop a scar or something worse. The last thing you need is your nipples to fall off after scratching so much then when you decide to get breast implants in the future, you can't or will have to pay extra to get your nipples repaired.

Another thing you will notice is rashes. It is another side affect from hormones. It will appear anywhere on your body and you will be tempted to scratch and scratch. Trust me, I developed a rash just below my belly button and on my thighs just below the groin and I scratched and scratched and now that it's completely gone there's an ugly looking dark patch there. If you notice a lot of scratching, get lotion and rub it.