Well, I took the plunge 4 weeks ago and began low dose HRT. While I'll avoid specifying dosages, I believe my Spiro and estradiol are about half of the lower end of ranges normally used for transition.
Things are definitely shrinking downstairs, like it's wearing a turtleneck these days. Honestly I am ambivalent about it except it would mean a lot to my wife if it continued to perform.
I understand this is an obvious risk of HRT of any dose. I know you need to "use it or lose it.". I know ED medicine may also help, with potential discomfort if things have not been exercised in a while.
Any other guidance is appreciated. Do things ever improve as the body adjusts to running on unleaded, or am I delusional?
Thank you!
Hi,
Everyone is different.
I have been on HRT for a little less than 3 years. My T is less than three. I was small to begin with but now it is smaller. I do not get erect enough for vaginal penetration. My scrotum has shrunk too. It was small pre-hrt but now I am flat.
At the 3 month mark on a full transitioning dose my body went from T to E (best way to explain it). From that point on I experienced a gradual decrease in function and desire. My desire went from 100 to 1. Odd thing is I am very happy about the decrease in desire which is counter intuitive from my thoughts when starting HRT. I was very dysphoric about sex because after orgasm I was in a male body (best way I can describe it). Hope this helps,
Rachel
Turtleneck, you're funny! :laugh:
I get that, too. Lately it's starting to look like I was never circumcised! :laugh:
Function for me has remained, but it takes a while of "riding the waves" to perform. Morning erections are a thing of the past for me now, although I am getting on in years which may contribute to that.
Hugs, Devlyn
Yes, a second briss seems somewhat inappropriate under the circumstances...
This initial "shrinkage" is more that it is smaller in its resting state, than it has actually gotten smaller. That will be in a bit still and is more from non-use.
Karin, that has been exactly my experience.
I agree, resting smaller, active still similar, lots more effort to activate.
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I have definite shrinkage.
Anyway, when I get aroused, it never gets fully erect and the shaft gets a little painful when it "tries" to get erect.
Guess I have to put up with it until GCS in the future.
I'd rather lose it than use it. ;)
Quote from: Rachel Lynn on April 12, 2016, 07:41:06 PM
My desire went from 100 to 1. Odd thing is I am very happy about the decrease in desire which is counter intuitive from my thoughts when starting HRT.
Glad I'm not the only one. Losing my libido has actually been a relief to be honest.
I'm glad I still have libido. Love it! And I'm post-op, T extremely low.
Quote from: KayXo on April 14, 2016, 08:46:44 AM
I'm glad I still have libido. Love it! And I'm post-op, T extremely low.
But E quite high! ;)
My libido dropped to almost zero and i too loved that. Shrinkage wise i am probably a bit smaller, maybe 10%. As it is at rest most of the time thought it could be just a perception of smaller.
I am married and her sex drive remains i do exercise it but it is not easy to erect enough for penetration. Still, we are active and of course penetrative sex is just one of the options for a healthy intimate life.
As my E levels have risen i have noticed a return of some libido but it is a different sort. One of the many things I like about my sexuality now is that I can choose to turn it on, but it is not "on all the time" like it was prior to HRT.
Quote from: Lucie on April 14, 2016, 09:37:51 AM
But E quite high! ;)
Even when E was low. It's not as intense as when my T was high pre-transition but still present and there are times it can be quite strong.
Quote from: KayXo on April 14, 2016, 07:12:29 PM
Even when E was low. It's not as intense as when my T was high pre-transition but still present and there are times it can be quite strong.
When you say "intense" are you talking about sexual desire or orgasm intensity (or both) ?
Intensity as the need for release, to have sex, to orgasm. So, perhaps, sexual desire, yes. Felt more urgency when T was high. Orgasms are still as intense.
I absolutely do not feel urgency in having sex anymore. But orgasms are as intense as before starting HRT. No more sperm though, seminal fluid only.
Also have some fluid release when aroused and at the moment of orgasm, post-op. A good bit of it.
Cowper's fluid (and Bartholin's fluid in cis women as well) is a very efficient lubricant. In my experience it has a far higher gliding power than commercial lubricants. :)
And don't forget the fluid from the prostate for post-op transwomen like myself...;)
This is one more good reason for not removing the prostate during GRS surgery !
I've always heard it's a "use it or lose it" situation... but does anybody know about doing both? i.e. continuing to masturbate while also encouraging as much shrinkage of the appendage as possible?
Quote from: maybe_maybe_ok on April 21, 2016, 09:31:08 AM
I've always heard it's a "use it or lose it" situation... but does anybody know about doing both? i.e. continuing to masturbate while also encouraging as much shrinkage of the appendage as possible?
I have no scientific evidence of this but i would guess you could still experience shrinkage along with regular use of said parts. Certainly my own experience would seem to support this.
I used it occasionally and had no problems with shrinkage or operation later. Who knows if things would have been different had I not used it at all?!
I only been on HRT for just over a month.
I was small to begin with. But noticed definite and noticeable shinkage.
My only worried about it is having enough skin for srs
I had a smaller base state but still expand to the same size. I wouldn't over worry the skin supply unless you begin to notice that it doesn't get as big.