Susan's Place Transgender Resources

yupp, I was/am nervous. Only on hormones for almost a week now but I got a question which I just am really curious about.

How long did it take for you to feel something going on in your body? I don't expect sudden changes but I expected...something, anything. Even if sickness at first but nothing, nada :P. Can I expect changes or will it just be my body changing over the years? Just interested in hearing since I heard about so many emotional changes so I wonder when to expect such :P?

For me, the mental effects were almost instant. Like, within a few days. I think that was mainly because my body was being shown the new hormones & it was adapting. I didn't get much visible changes within the first few months & even after a few months, the changes were subtle. The changes will always be subtle. They may happen quickly, but still subtly. You may not really even notice them that much. The most memorable thing I remember was the day I realized my thigh gap was gone. That was about around 6 months in. My boobs didn't start budding til 2 months but that's normal. Some peoples start growing a lot sooner though.

I'm in week #3 starting today. After 1 week the biggest change for me is that "it" doesn't get excited as easily, yet my desire has gone up not down. Its interesting to experience desire without "it" being involved. There may be some of the mental changes I've heard about but if they've happened they are all minor. I did notice I was very fatigued and not only going to bed earlier, but sleeping longer. That seems to have passed though. Tonight I get to take my first additional pill in the evening. Prior to today I only took them in the morning. I'm hoping the other mental changes will starting happening as I double the dose. Oh and my breast area has some pain, but I think its in my head.

Changes for me have been subtle. A few weeks in my skin started getting drier and less greasy. Breast buds started appearing about 4-5 weeks in. I haven't felt sick or had any adverse effects so far. Enjoy the ride, changes will happen and probably when you least expect them   ;)

Within 3 days on HRT I felt an intense tingling sensation running through my veins.  After 2 weeks, my sexual orientation flipped 180.  After a month I was very happy, calmer, and skin had started becoming quite softer.  Around 2 months in my nipples became alive with enhanced sensitivity, and my facial features were starting to shift.  By month 4 I had developed breasts and very noticeable facial features along with body starting to reshape.

I've been on hormones for 2 weeks and have noticed my nipples are puffy and pointier then normal and I'm also slightly more emotional. I'm kind of scared that I might be a fast responder since my nipples have already changed a bit. I'm no where near ready to go fulltime but we'll see.

After a week the emotional roller coaster started, not as bad as I expected.  Then, about same time no more morning erections.  About 4 weeks my skin started to get softer, pours starting to get smaller...chin starting to become less flat and more...feminine like

Quote from: QuestioningEverything on December 08, 2014, 05:12:19 PM
I've been on hormones for 2 weeks and have noticed my nipples are puffy and pointier then normal and I'm also slightly more emotional. I'm kind of scared that I might be a fast responder since my nipples have already changed a bit. I'm no where near ready to go fulltime but we'll see.

it'll take them a while yet to grow out.

congrats on starting hrt. my 1st endo is two weeks away so im almost there!!!!  and our second birthdays are going to be close-ish! this is a good post for me to read through as it seems most people are just saying what their earliest responses were

Feel that tingle in the nipples?  Later you can force that tingle to happen.  You will find it during orgasm..  if then you can tighten sphincter muscles, I had these muscles to retract testicles so I tighten them next, then force that tingle on the breasts.  You can start it to do a wave motion.  Play with that for a while without touching yourself.  After a while if lucky, you can achieve touchless orgasms that you can have anytime over and over;)  my male orgasm never were that good!  My wife is jealous!  I modeled it off watching her orgasm and it worked..  good luck;)

Three day in my chest and neck pains were gone as well as a gray haze. I had chest and neck pains since I was 18.

About 2 to 3 weeks buds formed and my nipples were erect a lot. I think my skin got soft at this point.

6 weeks in and I could not orgasm with my wife. Two weeks later I re-learned how to have sex.

Three days in I developed a boost in energy, my depression lifted as my dysphoria subsided. I also was having a feminine hair loss issue that was stopped dead in it's tracks and began reversing. At about two weeks in my body again felt in balance and I felt about 20 years younger. Also about that time my breasts became very sore around the nipples(I'm IS so I've always had boobs -just very underdeveloped ones). Around 4 months I had developed A cups and the soreness subsided as my boobs continued to grow. I also noticed my nose was shrinking and my chin had narrowed a bit. At around 6 months I noticed my waist had narrowed along with more facial softening. Near 8 months my boobs were bursting out of my A cups so I had to go by more bra's in my new size, 32-34B (band size depending on brand). My arms and legs had become more femininely sculpted as well. Also my shoulders and upper body profile had flattened becoming more feminine. And now approaching my 1'st year anniversary on hrt (Dec. 27th will be one year hrt) I have nice round feminine breasts that fill out a B cup nicely and my body has a very nice feminine shape. I can pretty much wear anything off the rack in a size small, dress size 2 to 4, and look very good in it. I am very happy with my results so far, and can't wait to see the further changes year 2 will bring. :)

Happy Holidays! :icon_bunch:

Ally ;)

I'm also one week in.  I started last Tuesday.  Obviously no physical changes yet, but within a day I felt more alert and awake than I have in a very long time.  The depression left...like magic.  Amazing!  :)

it took two months (which is now) to be sure. I felt the mental changes the next day. My depression and anxiety were almost nonexistent then; I actually felt alive for once. I was only guessing at physical changes for the first month and a half, though. Now I'm actually seeing and feeling the differences. It's not much yet, but it is something.

For me, it was quite fast. Although, I have to admit the 1st week was hard as I felt some weakness and I got tired easily. However, after two weeks my skin has started to glow and less oily. My lashes are growing like crazy and the shape of my nose changed - I guess the fat distribution is altering my facial structure. 4th week I started to feel tenderness and pain on my breasts especially on the nipple.

I am now on my way to my 4th month and I am passing quite ok with make up. Good luck to you sweets xoxo

Most of the initial changes I noticed were around 3 months or so. These mainly included: breasts budding, body/facial hair growth slowed slightly and seemed to be more sparse,  skin softness, my lady bits shrank some and I had a complete inability to achieve an erection (happiest about these 2).

The first week was great for me, I was on sublingual estradiol and norethisterone, with no anti androgen n my areola n nipples grew big real quick.

The hormones take their time and they are quite gentle. Months 3-6 are really when things start to get all, "There is no turning back now."

It was a bit annoying at first, to experience. It was pretty anti-climactic. Then the nipples turned on and the breast buds formed.

Lack of T is the first thing most notice. Less sex drive. Softer erections. Less or no semen after climax. Less aggression. That stuff...

E comes on more subtly but soon enough, it takes over your body and mind. Gotta get rid of the T first though, to really notice the E.

Quote from: Tori on December 09, 2014, 03:46:33 AM
Lack of T is the first thing most notice. Less sex drive. Softer erections. Less or no semen after climax. Less aggression. That stuff...

But everyone is different... Once my estrogen levels were increased I noticed my sex drive coming back, but not the erections. At this point, 5ish months in, my sex drive is higher than pre-HRT. It seems this is not typical for most women. Also HRT has made me more confrontational and assertive overall, which I equate simply to an increase in my self confidence.

On low dose E within a week I had scent change and skin softening. Not much more than that but I swear breasts began accumulating more fat too. That was then. I had to quit because I changed my dr and I was also self medding which got expensive and worrisome because I was worried I'd be screwing up my health.

Now I am in the situation where I'm basically re-starting and the buds are feeling hard already, about a week or so. Maybe they were there from before and just got re-activated. Who knows, who cares, it's nice to be back baby. My nipples are so sensitive now it's hard to wear any clothes without a bra. Everything just rubs and drives me crazy. Especially since it's freezing here.

Every girl is different.

Quote from: Tori on December 09, 2014, 03:46:33 AM
Lack of T is the first thing most notice. Less sex drive. Softer erections. Less or no semen after climax. Less aggression. That stuff...

Here's the really odd thing. Before when I was doing E only along with regular meds I had really bad ED.

Now they adjusted the BP med, took away benazepril and replaced it with spiro. Suddenly I'm able to function again, and I also feel better. So I think it's more than just the T at play, but everyone is different.

Never had a high sex drive so not much to lose there. I understand it takes a while to notice differences. I just find it silly that I am taking something but don't feel any difference from when I did not xD. Aspirins and the headaches disappear, something else and your stomach stops hurting or so but with this.. nuttin :P. I guess I will just have to wait till I feel something happening on the upper body to realize I am taking in something xD.

I got a slight migraine and slight stomach upset the first day I took it "undocumented" but when I finally went legit after the hiatus I did have a bit of nausea in the morning. Now I'm fine. I take the spiro and other stuff in the morning and sublingual E 3x per day at 8 hour intervals. It works for me.

Other changes I noticed were I had a few problems sleeping but those went away after a week, some night sweats including one where I noticed the scent change (as did the cats). I also felt cold during the day sometimes. Again this was not under Dr supervision so pretty dangerous and one of the things that made me quit.

Mood changes were pretty good though, I never felt better. No being down, depression or nothing. I was and still am on top of the world. I feel exhausted now and again but I've kicked up the workout routine so that is expected.

If you experience headaches, buy some baby asprin and start taking.  It's you blood thickening from the estradiol increase.  Nothing bad, but can cause a stroke in some people. 
Whoever edits my stuff, I only put the asprin idea in to prevent someone getting a stroke..  it is a proven method to prevent it, so please don't edit!

The mental changes took place almost immediately, to the point that I feel they were more psychological (placebo) than anything else. World definitely felt fantastic.

The first month for me was actually pretty lackluster, and the main change I faced was my body changing tremendously after a change in my diet (no sugars, 0 sodas after them being my vice, fruits and veggies every day, constant snacking, protein everywhere), which gave me a nicer figure. I also suspect a lot of muscle mass was lost.
I had a tingly sensation in my skin often, and especially on the nipples, but nothing significant.

The second month is when things got more intense. My original dose was doubled, and looking in the mirror was like seeing someone else. Breast buds started, and with it came joyous pain. It's not much so far, but I started having to hide it at work. My hair got softer. I stopped using deodorant because I just didn't smell as much anymore, and when I do it's a more sweet scent than the previous male musk. I'm like ten times more emotional, spending entire weekends watching romantic comedies while crying for no reason, then jumping up and down the next day. Skin feels amazing and it's super sensitive.

Currently in the third month which is more of the same. Body hair is definitely slower in coming out now and much less, but sadly still too much. My cheeks are much rounder and now I have the girliest smile. My hands are softer and look more feminine.

I really dont think much (if anything) hpnd with me until the 3rd month. Then I still haven't gotten alot of changes ppl speak of. Breast growing starting and softer face,  but only 2 days of weird emotions and sex drive is still crazy high. All that did hpn did so from month 3-4

The first change I could prove wasn't all in my head was breast buds on day 5, which hurt too much to be imaginary. :)

Quote from: Jenna Marie on December 10, 2014, 08:22:59 AM
The first change I could prove wasn't all in my head was breast buds on day 5, which hurt too much to be imaginary. :)

Yes... the pain that cannot be imagined....or ignored

OK so it's only week 2 but I noticed something really really weird today. I shaved this morning. I have old growth from where electrolysis hasn't touched yet but I also have some regrowth.

All fine and good, I drop the kiddies off to school and get on the bus to head to the city.

Something made me touch my face... it felt soft, as in baby soft. Softer than my wife's face in fact... what the? Did not feel any shadow if I ran against the grain of the hair either.

So now compared to my previous unofficial HRT I am taking spiro, and I was told that lowering T can have an effect on facial hair. If it works good enough where in conjunction with electrolysis I can get a cleared face with fine hair I would be ecstatic. Hopefully I'll see in a few months.

To be fair I also use vaniqa but I've kind of cut back since the electro scolded me for using stuff other than witch hazel and bacitracin on treated areas.

Quote from: Cynobyte on December 10, 2014, 01:35:32 AM
If you experience headaches, buy some baby asprin and start taking.  It's you blood thickening from the estradiol increase.  Nothing bad, but can cause a stroke in some people. 
Whoever edits my stuff, I only put the asprin idea in to prevent someone getting a stroke..  it is a proven method to prevent it, so please don't edit!

The headache is only short duration and within half a day it dissipates. It's also pretty mild. I'm also hesitant to add anything to the mix without asking a doctor first as I'm on 5 different pills right now.

So a couple days after taking my double dose, I'm definitely feeling different, but from what I heard, I expected it to be light turning on the lights. Its very subtle and very gradual. Emotions are coming through easier now, but only just. Even today there isn't a huge difference in me mentally from 2-3 weeks ago.

If the diversity of responses hasn't already said it, what happens and when can vary dramatically, I felt like I started to get some basic breast growth after a month or two, though the first few weeks it was hard to tell. I definitely could tell that random erections stopped fairly quickly, I'm not sure when but after awhile I realized I hadn't had any for quite awhile. I haven't seen much facial change on myself, but I've been told my butt has filled out a bit, and I think my thighs have a little too. Give yourself time, it always sucks to wait, but it'll go faster then you think.

Quote from: awilliams1701 on December 10, 2014, 10:13:14 AM
So a couple days after taking my double dose, I'm definitely feeling different, but from what I heard, I expected it to be light turning on the lights. Its very subtle and very gradual. Emotions are coming through easier now, but only just. Even today there isn't a huge difference in me mentally from 2-3 weeks ago.

This is a weird thing. I haven't noticed any emotional changes at all, except for the dysphoria being minimized and a sense of happiness and calm. But no, I still cry as I do before and not any more, and I don't get upset any easier than before, no mood swings, nothing.

I was already pretty happy. Coming to terms with who I really am has been wonderful but that was pre-HRT. I do feel a sense of calm, but I almost feel like part of my mind is fighting it. "No you're not allowed to be calm like that. You must have chaos in your head." The problem is when I think about it, that's when the battle resumes. If I can ignore it, its pretty calm.

Quote from: CrissyMarie on December 08, 2014, 05:11:32 PMAfter 2 weeks, my sexual orientation flipped 180.

Is it strange that I find myself WANTING hrt to induce this exactly? I want the rest that comes with it, but for some reason, I seem to hope and pray that the attractions I feel will flop most of all, because...right now...they just...dont.

I don't want to be interested in guys, but other than that, yes I want everything to happen.

I dunno. I've always fantasized about being with guys, but having a male body I found actually being with one to be not to my liking. Now that my body is feminizing I am having second thoughts and I may go for a guy next time.

Quote from: awilliams1701 on December 10, 2014, 11:12:04 AM
I don't want to be interested in guys, but other than that, yes I want everything to happen.

Hehehe. I am still pretty lesbian but now I like guys too from time to time.

When I started I did feel the same as you, I did not want to like guys. The thing though? If you start wanting them, you WANT them so it does not really bother you.

True and I've accepted that possibility. However there are a lot of things I don't like about guys both physical and non.

Quote from: Kirey on December 09, 2014, 09:58:10 AM
Never had a high sex drive so not much to lose there. I understand it takes a while to notice differences. I just find it silly that I am taking something but don't feel any difference from when I did not xD. Aspirins and the headaches disappear, something else and your stomach stops hurting or so but with this.. nuttin :P. I guess I will just have to wait till I feel something happening on the upper body to realize I am taking in something xD.

HRT is far from asprin... you are basically jump starting a new puberty and takes a while for the body to come around... its only been a week, you'll get there... you'll be quicker most likely because you're still young ;)

One of the first changes was that my sense of touch shifted.  Specially rubbing my hands together.  My sense of taste and smell also shifted slightly.  The first week I also had a distinct increase in men opening doors, and being the first in a out of a elevator.

Anybody have more sensation with their lips?  I was not much into kissing but love anything touching my lips now!

I definitely did.

They say women see more shades of red.  Red was never my favorite color but kinda grew fond of it.  I saw orange in my minds eye after chemo, but lately fluorescent orange is my favorite color;)  wife says I'd probably have no problems with jail clothes, but don't wanna see;)

Pretty much had my first dosage and a few hours later my mind cleared very quickly. No dysphoria, I felt 'right'.

Unfortunately though I did have a problem with water retention which was pretty uncomfortable. Also after the third day a lot of fast heartbeats, tingling and I naturally freaked out of course.

Things have calmed down since then except for random headaches I keep dealing with, but I learned I can calm them down by drinking more water.

Remember small asprin or some type of bloodthinner when you get those headaches.  You blood is getting thicker and can cause a stroke.  A small asprin is good anyway to help heart disease even if you didn't do this..

I would suggest reading carefully and consulting a doctor before taking any advice in regards to daily regiments of aspirin.

http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/low-dow-aspirin-for-primary-prevention/
http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/aspirin-risks-and-benefits/