Community Conversation => Transitioning => Hormone replacement therapy => Topic started by: Christine_Hart on October 20, 2017, 06:53:31 AM Return to Full Version
Title: A few newbie questions about hormones
Post by: Christine_Hart on October 20, 2017, 06:53:31 AM
Post by: Christine_Hart on October 20, 2017, 06:53:31 AM
Thought I'd lump them together rather than starting multiple threads.
1, Because of changes to the distribution of body fat should you be reasonably thin, or at least not too hefty, before starting HRT?
2, Does HRT have any feminising effect on the face?
3, Apart from reducing GD, are there any other emotional/mental changes you should expect?
4, If you suddenly stopped HRT would any physical changes (for example breast growth) stop right there? Obviously it wouldn't reverse (I assume) but I'm assuming it wouldn't carry on developing.
1, Because of changes to the distribution of body fat should you be reasonably thin, or at least not too hefty, before starting HRT?
2, Does HRT have any feminising effect on the face?
3, Apart from reducing GD, are there any other emotional/mental changes you should expect?
4, If you suddenly stopped HRT would any physical changes (for example breast growth) stop right there? Obviously it wouldn't reverse (I assume) but I'm assuming it wouldn't carry on developing.
Title: Re: A few newbie questions about hormones
Post by: KathyLauren on October 20, 2017, 07:30:55 AM
Post by: KathyLauren on October 20, 2017, 07:30:55 AM
Hi, Christine.
Quote from: Christine_Hart on October 20, 2017, 06:53:31 AMIt is harder to lose weight on E than it is on T, so it is best to start a weight loss program sooner if that's what you need to do.
1, Because of changes to the distribution of body fat should you be reasonably thin, or at least not too hefty, before starting HRT?
QuoteAbsolutely. My face has changed quite a bit. YMMV
2, Does HRT have any feminising effect on the face?
QuoteFor me, it reduced a lot of "mental static" that I didn't associate with GD, but was definitely related to my T levels.
3, Apart from reducing GD, are there any other emotional/mental changes you should expect?
QuoteYes. The changes are permanent, but will stop if HRT is stopped.
4, If you suddenly stopped HRT would any physical changes (for example breast growth) stop right there? Obviously it wouldn't reverse (I assume) but I'm assuming it wouldn't carry on developing.
Title: Re: A few newbie questions about hormones
Post by: Lady Lisandra on October 20, 2017, 07:40:03 AM
Post by: Lady Lisandra on October 20, 2017, 07:40:03 AM
1_Fat will redistribute. Now it probably is arranged in a male looking way, but after a few months on hormones part of it will move to your hips, thighs, breasts... The more fat you have, the more of it will move towards those areas. Hormones will make you look fatter, so you'll have to balance your weight and appearance according to what you want.
2_ Yes. You'll get "fatter" and your muscles will become softer, this applies to you whole body, including your face, which will become rounder and get softer features.
3_ Yes. The higher levels of oestrogen will make you more emotional, like most women. This might involve laying whole days in bed crying for stupid things like your mother killing al fly, and easily getting angry at someone for the same reasons. In other words, you'll be emotionally on your period the whole month until you get used to it.
A lot of trans people tell they started feeling better just because of taking hormones, as if your brain liked the new proportion of hormones.
4_ No. Changes take time to start and stop. Hormone levels in your blood don't change in a matter of hours, and it takes even more time for them to start affecting your body. Changes begin at least two months after starting HRT, so expect a similar time for them to stop.
Depending on how much time you've been taking hormones, some aspects are reversible, but again, they take time.
2_ Yes. You'll get "fatter" and your muscles will become softer, this applies to you whole body, including your face, which will become rounder and get softer features.
3_ Yes. The higher levels of oestrogen will make you more emotional, like most women. This might involve laying whole days in bed crying for stupid things like your mother killing al fly, and easily getting angry at someone for the same reasons. In other words, you'll be emotionally on your period the whole month until you get used to it.
A lot of trans people tell they started feeling better just because of taking hormones, as if your brain liked the new proportion of hormones.
4_ No. Changes take time to start and stop. Hormone levels in your blood don't change in a matter of hours, and it takes even more time for them to start affecting your body. Changes begin at least two months after starting HRT, so expect a similar time for them to stop.
Depending on how much time you've been taking hormones, some aspects are reversible, but again, they take time.
Title: Re: A few newbie questions about hormones
Post by: Michelle:) on November 13, 2017, 08:41:33 AM
Post by: Michelle:) on November 13, 2017, 08:41:33 AM
+1 on the mental static. When do you plan on starting?