Susan's Place Transgender Resources

Hi all,

I am not trying to copy the other subject, but I have almost the same questions and how they apply to a 61 Y.O. MTF?

I just started reading the subject here about transitioning in your 30's and I since I have my first appointment with my gender therapist next week, and I felt that I too have issues and questions about how it will affect my health. 

AFAIK Estrogen is usually not given to female CIS in their 60's due to possible complications, but of course they have had a full lifetime of Estrogen exposure where as I would just be starting.  Other concern is osteoporosis since I would like to take a low dose of HRT to extend the time of transitioning.  Also at 61, most of us are seeing both a cardiologist (to control blood Pressure) as well as an Urologist (enlarged prostrate) and taking appropriate medications that could interfere or overlap with the spiro and estrogen.  I assume that the endo will coordinate all of the medications, but I would like for the other doctors to continue monitoring me and to agree on medications prescribed.   Will the endo just change the prescriptions, or will he/she coordinate with the other doctors?  Any personal experiences?

How does your body adapt to all of the hormonal changes?  My body is kind of slim as I am 6'0 tall and 175 pounds and trying to lose approximately 15 pound prior to starting HRT as to that the new fat will get deposited on the right spots (breasts, upper thighs, hips and behind). I am kind of skinny and from what I have read, the Estrogen opens your appetite making you gain weight will these extra pound end up on the right feminine desired locations and not on or my belly?

Are there any specific questions that I should ask the Gender Therapist when I meet her?

I know that there are too many questions to ask, but I have read as much as I can here on Susans' about the subjects, but some of the replies that I found are a few years old and the may not apply any more.

Please feel free to add any issues regarding transitioning in your 60's as I am afraid that I just scratched the surface and I myself will have more questions.

Thank you for looking and hopefully participating.

Emily

I think the more fundamental question should be what is my reason for transitioning. Being 60 the reality is that there is a line drawn in the sand that no one can pass. Are your reasons for transitioning more substantial the  risks you might encounter.

Thank you for your comment Stephanie,

But how old is too old?  I don't think i want SRS, just the results of HRT.

Are you  saying that the older your get the higher the risk?  This is probably true, but do women like you stop taking HRT when they turn 60? 65? or older?   If that is the case, do women that have been on HRT and SRS de-transition at some age and they revert to men with vaginas?  I know that it is easier for an older man to pass as a woman, specially since at that age women's estrogen level is almost non-existent.

I am thinking of low-dose HRT, enough to calm my GD and develop female characteristic.  I realize that every medication, even an aspirin has side effects specially the older you get, but since most of the changes that I desire are kind of permanent specially if I stick to a diet an appropriate exercise I would probably stop taking HRT within 3 to 5 years after I start.

Has anyone started HRT in their early 60's? and if so, what results and or complications did you get.

Emily

I just started HRT close to a month ago and I will be 65 shortly. It is too soon to tell of any results yet. So far no complications. I already had results on herbs and Bovine ovary. The BO was taken for around a year. Any further results of the HRT is yet to be seen. The boobs are around six years in the making so far.

Thank you Stephanie,

I guess there is hope for me then!    Please let me know how things are going in the future.

If you don't mind how much has your boobs grown since you started with the BO? and why BO instead of HRT back then?

Emily

Hi Emily and welcome  :),

For visual checking on progress that has happened for me, you can go to male to female transsexual talk, at the top click on page 44 of the all new before and after, these are a few just recently posted pics.

As to your question, I started about two months before my 63rd birthday and have been on hrt for six months.  I am on Estradiol Valerate IM and Spironolactone, every persons experience with hrt can and may be different, check out the wiki page on hrt  My progress was and is monitored by my Dr, with multiple blood workups along the way.  There are some medical studies that have been done concerning heart, thrombosis, and bone, but so far everything I have read is positive (this is also where a Dr. is invaluable.)  I cannot even begin to say how much my inner calm has improved.  Just be sure no stone is left unturned, look at the difficult things and then you and only you can know the next step to take.  Wish you well   Dani

There are people here who started in their 60's and are doing fine. Just be sure to be under the care of a doctor.

Hi Hon,

58 when I started, 62 (cough) now.

HRT was totally magical. I'm fit, good diet, cut the booze and live every day.

A good endocrinologist looks after everything, remember HRT was 'invented' for post menopausal woman, lots of endos are experienced in how to treat us.

Take life on and enjoy it. Oh A-B boobs, non-passable as male , totally accepted as female.

A helpful hint - start laser/electro yesterday.

Quote from: Emily R on January 13, 2015, 10:37:02 AM
Thank you Stephanie,

I guess there is hope for me then!    Please let me know how things are going in the future.

If you don't mind how much has your boobs grown since you started with the BO? and why BO instead of HRT back then?



Emily

You are welcome, Emily. At last measurement I was a 40C (small C) and I could swear that I feel them getting heavier every week. I selected BO because I was hoping that my body would produce estrogen without even taking it anymore. However, I wasn't always successful in keeping my body temperature at the correct level for BO to work. So, I decided on the estrogen patches. I have read that they are a safer way to get estrogen. I will let you know if my boobs grow any more, however, my mother and sister were C cup and they say you get one cup less than they had, but I am already ahead of the game on that one. If I lose some weight, then they may be the first to reduce, unfortunately.

Hi Emily.
I'm 62 and will be starting HRT next week.
I guess I"m like you, I don't plan on transitioning, just want a lot of the effects of HRT.

Will stay in touch!

Julie

Hi Julie,

Did you start HRT yet?   If Yes, how is it going with it and have you noticed any changes yet? 

Please keep in touch

Emily

Hi Emily! There seem to be many of us, who frequent this site, who are in a similar situation. I am 61. It seems that each of us has a different goal and timeline. That is all OK. I started HRT, sprit, three days ago. I am eager to see wha effect this will have on me. I am taking little steps in my transition, patience and all that. Much of this is because of wanting to bring my SO along with me on the journey. She is very anxious about the possibility of rapid 'feminizing'. I would to as quickly as possible and have SRS tomorrow it that were possible. Each of us needs to do what works for us. I have asked on my HRT post for information as to the impact of taking spiro. I will do my best to share what information I can about my journey. Look forward to following you on yours.

Island Girl,

You know you are going to hear my story, GIRL!   My goals are a little different, I want to start a low dosage of E and to prolong the transitioning maybe forever.  Just need to get rid of the GD and feel good about my body.

But time will tell....    I would have never predicted what I am doing now 6 months ago.

Please keep us all informed, as it reassuring to hear others going thru the same path and learning from their experiences.

Good Luck,  Keep it up,  well NOT necessarily   LOL! 

But definitely keep us informed of your progress and I will try to do the same.

Emily

Hi again Emily.
I started Spironolactone and progesterone Sat morning. just got my estradiol this evening and took my first pill.
So nothing yet. Waiting to see how I feel tomorrow.
Will keep you posted.

Julie

I am an older transitioner as well.  I did start hrt earlier at 54 and have had facial hair removed.  I just wanted to give a bit of encouragement to you about age.  A girl in London just had her grs done at the age of 81.  She was having other work done at the time.  They wouldn't have done it (risks) if she hadn't been having other work.  So by those standards, you are a spring chicken.

Thank You Cindy,

Your words of encouragements are appreciated.  I may not be a spring chicken but not 81 either.   I am not sure at what age I would stop from having  anything like that done, even if the surgeon was in the same area.  The risks of HRT at 54 or 61 are acceptable if you are healthy, now of course, when you are 81 what do you have to lose?

There is a time and a place for everything.

Emily

Emily, I'm a little younger than you, but not much. I started HRT almost two years ago at age 55.

The effects on my mind have been all I hoped for, and on the body, not bad.

My skin changed *a lot* and my face filled in differently. Also got some hips and boobs, and a little more butt. Not as much as I wanted, but that's life.

I did gain some weight, although I'm no hungrier than before. Unfortunately, it is a bit harder to get rid of now. ;)

I've had no real problems so far...

Hi Evvy,

I love to hear girls like you having a wonderful experience, similar to what I would like to see in the future when I start my own HRT.

The effects that you are seeing are what I would like to experience, specially the mind, but of course all of the others will be welcome and I will be very disappointed if they do not occur.

If I may ask you, have your genitals atrophied?  Did your bra band size changed as the result of losing muscle around your chest?

I am trying to lose a few more pounds before I begin, but it has become a lot harder because of the lost of muscle.

Well I am glad that you haven't had any issues, I can only hope for the same.  Please let me and the others know of your progress in the future.

Emily R

Emily, my bra band size didn't change much because as I lost muscle, I also gained weight.   ;D

Regarding the rest, I'll try to PM you.

Hi Emily, I am a late transitioner.  I am 52 2/3 and have been on hrt 20 months. Like Cindy said start laser and electrolysis hair removal right away. I waited 15 months on hrt to start and regret it. I think it took me time to feel safe and develop my inner personality. Saying I will do ABC and doing it is so unbelievably empowering and feels wonderful.

The calm is amazing. I have low level dysphoria all the time and get very bad dysphoria in waves only now and hold on knowing it will pass.

My hair is growing back a bit, skin is soft and I have A boobs. There are a lot of other benefits such as seeing colors better and being able to smell better (unless you are near a guy that did not shower today) and feel and cry.

Ever since I was small I wondered how my boobs would look if they grew. Well now I am seeing that progress. When just out of the shower I look down and smile. There was nothing about my body I could smile about till now. I am working on a great body and have plans for the future. That is a lot different than 26 months ago when there was nothing left.

  Like Cindy, I started at age 58 and I'm 62 as well. Some of those complications you've may have heard about apply to cis women whom still have their vagina. I have no known health complications after more than 4 years on HRT.

  Joelene

Another 60+ transitioning girl here and joining your party.  I have experienced tremendous positive change and enjoy myself every day.  As Cynthia notes there is a very special thrill and confirmation to looking down, seeing and feeling the breasts that I felt were there anyway.  She is also right on about that calm.  I had a euphoria going on for months as I once tried and gave up, thinking this is impossible and now I live that impossible dream.

Risks?  Hell at our age waking up is not guaranteed and driving a modern automobile every day is far riskier than daily HRT.   Its all relative to your particular circumstances.  If you go there you will undoubtably have to sign a consent form that a provider should go over in detail, covering page after page of possibilities.

I owe a lot to people on this page and IRL who held my hand when I asked these same questions.  What a great bunch!

I want to thank all you Ladies that have taken time to read and specially answer.

I went to my therapist today and she mentioned because of my 61 yrs the effect of hormones feminizing my body when I start HRT would be minimal.   

Has that been you experience?  Did you develop boobs?  Derriere? Hips?  How about changes to the face?

Any significant changes at all? Can you provide measurements and time?

Emily

my avatar is me I'm 63

Emily I don't want to impugn the knowledge or experience of your therapist but at the least they should acknowledge that there are potentially very profound feminizing effects for many of us.  My feminizing starts in my brain and the impact of HRT for me has been quite significant emotionally and physically.  Perhaps she is trying to minimize your expectations?  Of course your basic skeletal structure will not change but plenty else likely will, from your hair and skin to the muscles in your arms and especially the dysphoria.  One of the first things I learned here was how different each persons journey is.  Sometimes it seems the only thing we have in common is being transgender.  A basic dictum here is; Your Mileage May Vary (YMMV)

I have nice breasts, a butt that is rounding out and people tell me my face is more youthful and feminine than before but, i had along way to go;-).  I don't bother with measurements but have been on HRT for a bit less than two years.  And again, this is just one anecdotal report.

There are plenty of people here that love the before and after pics and countless personal testimonies, especially about 'boobs' and 'how passable' is my appearance threads.  it is reasonable to have concerns but unreasonable to accept her view as the big picture for you.

Tessa,

No, she did acknowledge that there were going to be many changes, including reducing or eliminating the GD!  Its just that she believes, and she was specific in saying that the oldest trans female patient that she has ever had was in the mid 50's, that because of my age my body would not react to the to estrogen as strong as if I was younger.

I really like her, I just believe that she is trying for me not to be disappointed if the physical changes are not as significant as I would like them to be.

Emily

Quote from: Emily R on February 03, 2015, 11:58:08 AM
because of my age my body would not react to the to estrogen as strong as if I was younger

Emily, even if you don't get the same effects as a 20-year-old, the physical effects of HRT can be very nice.

I'm 57, and I've been pleased with the changes in my skin, the added curves and, well, boobs.

Of course, YMMV...

Thanks Emily that sounds more realistic and she is correct but also notes she has no direct experience with girls our age.  Your comfort and trust with her is important.  There are bunches of us here, and I have met plenty IRL, that have experienced dramatic changes in our 60s.  Most of us will acknowledge wishing we had started sooner but that magic time machine is still fictional.  Fun to imagine but it won't get us anywhere now.  What a better informed world there is available to young people today compared to our youth?

People also use all sorts of surgical measures including GCS, FFS, BA and more to achieve their personal goals.  I have been surprised at some of my changes and how meaningful they can be.  Self acceptance has been the biggest hurdle and has impacted my self confidence as this journey progresses.  Women come in all shapes and sizes and have endless techniques for accentuating their most positive image.  I trust you will enjoy yourself too.

Well, since I started this topic I think I can revive it...

Since the last time I posted I have made an appointment with an endo for April 27th, completed 6 sessions of laser which I had already started and will sign up for another 6 for my chest as it is the only place I still have a lot of black hairs; Have completed 6 hours of electrolysis on my face, three of them yesterday where she worked aggressively on my upper lip, unfortunately today I have big SEXY swollen lips and even if I am using the excuse of dental work I still had to stay home.

I have also attended a monthly transgender group here is South Florida and plan to continue going although at this point I feel like a fish out of water, it is not that they are not nice, it just that I have agreed with my wife for the time being not to dress outside the house and I really wish that I could go dressed as the lady that I am, but wearing Jeans and a shirt does not make me feel a real part of it, but it is the price of having and keeping a good relationship with my wife.  I am sure as we get to know each other better I will feel much better.  On that note ,I met another member of Susans' which I will not identify and this point, and not only did she looked great but she was also very sweet and friendly to me,  I hope I did not scared her as at this point I feel like a little sister (I am older than her) following the big sister and trying to learn about makeup, boys, etc and in our particular case FFS, VFS, GRS etc.  I am keeping my fingers crossed. :D :D

My mind keeps changing, even without the HRT, I wonder how much more feminine it will become once I start it on a low dosage that I plan since I cannot transition for a few years due to a combination of income, business and family.   But I am taking more and more the mannerisms of a woman, from the walk to the body movement, I still need to start working on the speech and voice, but I get concern that once I start on HRT i will not be able to stop acting female and it will become automatic to act like the woman I am, outing me to friend and clients.

I will start a new topic with regular reports once I have my appointment with the endocrinologist to keep my Susans' sisters informed of my progress and what they can expect.

Hugs

Emily

Good to hear from you Emily! Hope your April 27 appointment goes well. I have mine on Apr. 17. Hope to start low dosage E at that time.

Thank you islandgirl,

You still ahead of me ??? ;) ;), I am hoping that once I get rid of my T, I will stop being competitive.

Best wishes on April 17 and please lets keep in touch of how our life changes for the better.

Hugs

Emily

It sounds like you are doing just fine Emily.  I transitioned when I was 38, but I'm 61 now and still very much on HRT.  It's good that you're having electro because despite the pain of going through it the final result just plain makes you feel so much better about yourself.
Starting HRT made me feel like I'd come home after wandering lost in the wilderness all my life so I hope you will be able to start on HRT soon because it really will awaken the woman that's inside you in all kinds of good ways.

    Hi Emily I am 65 and started HRT through the VA on 12/25/2013 and everything is just wonderful,actually much better than I had ever hoped for. I am also in south Florida out by lake "O" and attend meetings in Palm Beach and Broward.

Hi Ladies,

Lady Smith, 
Sometimes I think I am doing just fine like you said, then there are other times that I just wish that I could go full time NOW, not in a few years.  But cool heads should prevail and overcome the dysphoria as I should not and cannot make changes that could affect my family and my financial and emotional future right now without following my plans.

Justpat,

I am sorry but I think you PM'ed before with a very nice supportive letter and I totally forgot to answer, you probably understand how our lives are stressed and pulled in so many directions, by family, reponsabilities, wishes and the famous GD and hope you understand ignoring your PM. 
Living in Kendall makes it difficult to attend meetings an hour or more away with the crazy traffic of early evening, but I like to meet you face to face if you attend the meeting at Wilton Manors on the third friday of the month.  If you go to a different meeting in Broward, please let me know and I will try to make it

Emily

Hi Emily, err just turned 62. (Sunday).. Going on 50  ;D

Difference for me is that I started about 11 years ago, low dosages and built up over time... (FYI my avatar is Jan/Feb this year) it has helped, a little, to keep me looking younger and has helped with confidence, health, activeness (for me).

I started well before transition because I needed to ensure I got (acceptable) results, I have, so planning PT then FT late this year (fingers X'd). At our age I read that the results can be reduced and take longer (another driver for early start)... But in reality I am probably healthier now than I have ever been, as for results, some have not been as good as I had hoped, possibly because I am still on Oral till a few months time, and I am still plagued with Bad MPB, T did so much damage over ~45 yrs.

I ended up, thus far, about 2 cup sizes smaller than my Mother, Oh I started at ~160 lbs, now 142 lbs... 5'4', got some waist, B cup, slight fat transfer to butt and hips.

Good luck and I am sure you'll be happy with your outcomes.

L Katy :-*

Hi All
Just turned 60 and started HRT 6 months ago. I'm in good health and doing great!

My boobs fill out a A cup and are growing nicely, will be happy if they make it to a B.
Skin and hair are much softer. Body hair grows very slowly now and is a little lighter.

Starting to see a little change in my face, it's filling out a bit. Nothing on the butt and hips yet, but then I've lost 10 pounds since starting HRT, got rid of that ugly ugly ugly beer gut.

The emotional changes have started recently and I really welcome this. Emotionally I feel better that I ever have. Wouldn't go back for anything!

Janet