Susan's Place Transgender Resources

Hello everyone!

I'm new here and this my first post.  I'm 25 years old MTF and I have just started my first week on estradot patches as prescribed by my private doctor.  Obviously I feel no different and have noticed zero changes at this stage but I'm just curious as to what changes people noticed within the first month, if any.

(I should add I'm not on blockers and I'm putting the patches on my hip or stomach.)


Thanks :)




*No Dosages Please*

Hi Squirebuffy  :icon_wave:

Welcome to Susan's  :)  Glad to have you here, join on in the fun

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Hugs

V M

Here were some hints concerning patches:
https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,189624.msg1688205.html#msg1688205

upper buttocks are said to be quite effective...

you should feel some emotional effects... some kind of relief...

well they probably up the dose later, and add anti androgens...

concerning effectiveness peoples skins are different...
its possible for example to use one patch for steady levels and additionally use bioidentical estrogen tablets sublingually...
or maybe switch to injections or implants eventually...


hugs

I feel ever so slightly more relaxed - but I wasn't sure if that was the patches or a coincidence haha!

Quote from: Squirebuffy1990 on December 07, 2015, 04:04:54 PM
I feel ever so slightly more relaxed - but I wasn't sure if that was the patches or a coincidence haha!

Its very likely its from the patches.
Well something to look forward to when the dosage is upped.
Also your boobies might begin to itch.


hugs

Anyone else share experiences and timescales for things?

Quote from: Squirebuffy1990 on December 08, 2015, 03:45:05 PM
timescales for things

well all changes are individual
1–3 months after  starting estrogen
                  • softening of skin
                  • decrease in muscle mass and increase in body fat
                  • possible redistribution of body fat to a more "feminine" pattern
                  • fewer instances of waking up with an erection or spontaneously
                    having an erection;
Gradual changes   
                  • nipple and breast growth
                  • slower growth of facial and body hair
                  • slowed or stopped "male"-pattern balding
                  • decrease in testicular size


hugs

Buffy, may I ask why not the blockers? I was under the impression that any development you see will be badly stunted by not having the 't' blocker sat the same time.

Hey Alice, I'm not sure really. Dr Curtis said he wont give me T blockers, maybe he will after my 3 month patch trial?  If not I will just (not allowed) or ask my GP for a low dose of a blocker?

I have a high sex drive considering my testosterone levels are naturally low. So I'm in two minds about the blockers killing my sexual drive, but the in terms of cosmetic, I want them.

Mod Edit- discussion of self medication is against TOS 8

You want Goserelin. Don't accept anything else. Spiro or cyprotone are reasonable for short term.  Get on the gic route asap as well.

I'm so tempted to put two patches on instead of one, but I wont. It will probably mess me up haha!

Hi:

What doctors worry about in part re: dosage is thrombosis (clotting).  Other concerns have to do with the liver and kidneys damage.  It's more complicated than that but those are a few reasons to be concerned about your blood levels while on HRT.  T blockers are a whole different story and depending on the drug work on the receptors or producers, and some do both or a cocktail does.  It's prudent to have a doc in the loop.

Take care and stay in touch,

Rachel

Oh don't worry, I'm doing everything by Dr Curtis.

I've been on the patches 10 days and I've lost 5lbs. Is that connected??

Quote from: Laura_7 on December 08, 2015, 03:50:39 PM
well all changes are individual
1–3 months after  starting estrogen
                  • softening of skin
                  • decrease in muscle mass and increase in body fat
                  • possible redistribution of body fat to a more "feminine" pattern
                  • fewer instances of waking up with an erection or spontaneously
                    having an erection;
Gradual changes   
                  • nipple and breast growth
                  • slower growth of facial and body hair
                  • slowed or stopped "male"-pattern balding
                  • decrease in testicular size


hugs

I've been curious about this myself, I'm nowhere near ready to consider HRT. But were I ever to do so, other than waking up with or getting spontaneous erections less, is getting one when you want one any different?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Quote from: Rp1713 on December 12, 2015, 11:16:16 AM
I've been curious about this myself, I'm nowhere near ready to consider HRT. But were I ever to do so, other than waking up with or getting spontaneous erections less, is getting one when you want one any different?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Its possible its not as easy... or not possible.

Its also possible orgasms get more "feminine", more prolonged and passive, by getting stroked...

Fine tuning with hrt can help...
some people use testo cream...
and some people ask their doc for viagra...


hugs

Still ZERO changes for me 2 weeks into the (not allowed) patches.... very annoying.

Mod Edit- No dosages Please

I know you want to see changes right away, we all do. I wish it worked that way, but when it comes to many things that are transition related they take time. Takes CIS woman years to go through puberty and it isn't any different for us once we begin our female puberty. Hang in there and before you know it you will see things occurring. Remember old saying a watched pot never boils well the same is true for the hormones working on our bodies. Hugs
Mariah

Quote from: Squirebuffy1990 on December 15, 2015, 03:14:10 PM
Still ZERO changes for me 2 weeks into the (not allowed) patches.... very annoying.

Mod Edit- No dosages Please

4 weeks in - only changes are my muscle decreasing in my arms and slight start of breast shape-age.

Quote from: Squirebuffy1990 on December 23, 2015, 03:47:16 PM
4 weeks in - only changes are my muscle decreasing in my arms and slight start of breast shape-age.

Well but there should be some subtle changes...
changes to skin transparency... and less visible veins...
more delicate skin...
possibly a bit more oily skin...
finer hair growth...

and psychological benefits... a feeling of well being...


*hugs*

Quote from: Squirebuffy1990 on December 11, 2015, 12:28:51 PM
I'm so tempted to put two patches on instead of one, but I wont. It will probably mess me up haha!

Yes, that's not a good idea.  The incidence of side-effects increases with the dosage.  The best dosage is the lowest possible dosage to get your hormone levels where they should be.  Estradiol can increase cholesterol levels, HDL levels and triglyceride levels.  The incidence of DVT (deep venous thrombosis) can also increase.  I am personally struggling with elevated glucose levels, even though I am on a low-carb diet.

I am really puzzled why your doctor did not prescribe t-blockers, since they make the estradiol more effective. You should ask about that.

I have been on estradiol, spironolactone, and finasteride for a little over four months, and spiro and finasteride for almost six months.  The only thing I noticed within days of starting the estradiol was the mental effect.  My dysphoria went away.  I wasn't constantly obsessing about being female.  I felt somewhat more comfortable with myself.

My testosterone level started out at 374 ng/mL,which is on the low side for a male.  It is now 26 ng/mL.  On the other hand, my estradiol levels have only increased from 27 to 36 pg/mL, despite being on twice-a-week patches.

My libido started to nose dive within the first few weeks, along with decreased erections, but in my case this I considered this a plus.  After three months so, my skin was somewhat softer and the pores smaller.  My body scent has changed to a more musky, feminine scent.  I have noticed that the hair on my arms and in my armpits is much slower to  grow back after shaving.  My testicles have noticeably decreased in size, and any attempt to masturbate produces very little ejaculate.  Again, not really an issue for me, but it could be for others.  I haven't noticed much difference my musculature, other than it's harder to open some jars now, lol!

Weight gain is now an issue for me, despite eating less and exercising more. Oh, I almost forgot what you might be most interested in. My nipples started to hurt after a couple of weeks on E, and I developed breast buds by month two.  There was noticeable fullness to my breasts. My nipples and areolas have enlarged.  Now my darn boobs hurt all the time, eventhzughthe lumps are gone.  No pain, no gain I guess.

Anyway, that was my experience.  One more data point for you.

With kindness,

Terri