Hello,
I am in my late 60s, and decided it was time to attempt transition, for a variety of obvious reasons. I have been on HRT for four or five months, and am getting some expected results and not others.
Although my doctor says she is seeing a greater number of mature people, I still feel like a science experiment, with few guidelines and a lot of uncertainty.
I don't think older bodies respond to HRT in the same way that younger bodies would. To quote one of my counselors, " you have bathed your body is testoserone for 60++ years, and it unreasonable to expect to turn that around on a dime.
Is it? I don't really know.
Is anyone out there in the same situation? I would really like to compare notes.
Rita
Hi, it's true to say the body won't turn on a dime with HRT. You usually need two years on average to see good results but for some it is more and others less. It comes down to your genetics as to how well your body might respond. If you've only been on for a few months that is not much time to see more than the initial results...some skin softening and some breast budding...and that's about it for obvious physical changes.
Quote from: MelissaRC on December 26, 2016, 03:08:37 AM
Hello,
I am in my late 60s, and decided it was time to attempt transition, for a variety of obvious reasons. I have been on HRT for four or five months, and am getting some expected results and not others.
Although my doctor says she is seeing a greater number of mature people, I still feel like a science experiment, with few guidelines and a lot of uncertainty.
I don't think older bodies respond to HRT in the same way that younger bodies would. To quote one of my counselors, " you have bathed your body is testoserone for 60++ years, and it unreasonable to expect to turn that around on a dime.
Is it? I don't really know.
Is anyone out there in the same situation? I would really like to compare notes.
Rita
I am 53 and started HRT about 7 months ago...I am now just starting to see some changes happening other than a small amount of breast growth(small B cup). I don't expect to have any really big difference until I have been on a transitional dose for at least a couple of years. I had 3 years prior to HRT without much in the way of T in my system anyway. I was not expecting to see the changes I have seen so was pleasantly surprised. I have seen new hair growth on my head, my hair definitely grows better and faster, my skin is changing slowly and is now less rough than say your average bloke but nowhere near as soft as it will get.
My emotions are never far from the surface...which I don't mind...I am not as labile as I was in the beginning so my mood is evening out a bit more...I can feel myself slowly changing from a psychological point of view. I am not as angry as I was, I have clarity in a number of area's that I didn't used to have. When I am feeling good and not getting my butt kicked by dysphoria I feel amazing...this is slowly starting to happen more often. I don't go to the extremes I used too. I especially don't have anywhere near as much suicidal Idealisation like I used to.
Hope that gives you a start for your comparison...but you have to remember HRT is a crapshoot...no one knows how it will turn out, just like puberty was the first time round!
Liz
Like others have said there is a big difference between a few months and a few years. The changes come incrementally though so unless you keep some kind of record along the way you may not really notice some of them. I'm not too much younger than you and overall I am satisfied with what HRT has done. For all practical purposes, mental, physical, and health, it has made me age backwards. While I could improve on things with some surgeries here and there I am extremely happy with what is. So, just give it some time.
It is better to be hated for what you are than to be loved for what you are not.
André Gide, Autumn Leaves
I'm ~56, and just started HRT a little over 3 months ago, and both my wife and I have been pleasantly surprised with noticeable changes already in my face, body and spirit. I just try to keep in mind that the effect of hormones is to bring out the woman in me, not turn me into a woman I want.
I'm also not a small person, so I wouldn't be surprised to find that the changes associated with the redistribution of fat are more noticeable in general if one already has some fat to move around.
Congratulations on taking the brave step and good luck on your journey!
Erin
Because the primitive nature of the treatment I received, my body never developed to it's full potential even after years of HRT. I was off HRT for 10 years as that was "standard treatment" and I lost some ground. I am now back on HRT at 65 year old and the changes to my body are happening far faster than ever before. In addition, even my breast are exceeding their previous size. Age seems to have had no affect on my body's ability to handle HRT and it really amounts to having somebody who knows their business treating you.
I've seen, more than once, older women having better results than their much younger counterparts. You'd be surprised how many times... ;)
I'm age 63, and fairly small/light for my age. 5'8" and 136 lbs (outside of the holiday season. Gimme a couple weeks...).
My endocrinologist is being fairly conservative in slowly ramping up the amounts of estradiol I receive. At the 6 month point I still had a serum level less than or equal to 50 pg/mL. Now, in spite of that I know i'm definitely getting the stuff into my system. My breasts were sore and tender for the first several months, and I quickly formed the hard breast 'buds' of glandular tissue. Now they're filling out nicely, at what's called Tanner Stage III, sort of pointy, not rounded yet, but I fill my 34B non-underwire bra fairly well. I've got shrinkage of the testicles making tucking much easier. I'm gaining a little in the hips, and have lost a little at the waist.
Now, I had been on finasteride for several years for BPH prior to starting HRT, and that might have given me a running start. That said, the changes I am seeing are everything I had hoped for but didn't really expect at my age. Oh, things don't turn on a dime, but biology, while slow, is relentless. The change in mental attitude alone was well worth it. The physical changes are a wonderful gift that I embrace.
I'm well on my way to becoming the weird old lady of my dreams. :) As I told my therapist, as a male I was a scrawny sad old man. As a 63 year old female, I totally rock this body.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
I began HRT at 60, and am now 18 months down that path. I'm not sure what the standard is, but I am quite happy with physical transformations. But reducing the benefits of HRT to physical changes misses so much, in my view. Beyond the physical, the emotional and psychic benefits are pretty much immeasurable. Count me a believer that no age is too late.
There are several advantages to being 60+. Your testosterone is already fairly low. The physical differences between men and women decrease with age. You won't look like a 24 year old woman, but it's not hard to look like a 64 year old woman.
At your age, you should be on non-oral estradiol... Injections, patches or gel.
My breasts and butt are quite ample. Of course my breasts are only a few years old, so they don't sag like a woman my age. I'm 67. I dress male, but it's pretty obvious that my figure is like Mae West.
Thank you for the comments. Really appreciated.
I started out self-medicating on estradiol tabs. Then, got medical supervision. Went to patches for a month or so. Had a really hard time keeping them on. Added Spiro. My T is way down, below 3, apparently.
Dumped the patches and went back to the tablets. Doc seems to be ok with the risk factors, although I am not all that sure about it.
I am 60 and about 5 months into HRT on estradiol pills and Spiro. I am very happy with my results. My T was at 3 and my E at 247 the last time they ran blood work. I split the Spiro and E dose between morning and before bed time. I take progesterone with the evening dose. I have some breast growth and have lost over an inch in the waist. (Also lost 15 pounds, down to 195, largely due to also changing my diet and eating more fruits and veggies) My testicles have shrunk to less than half the size they were. My nipples are tender but not overly so. I have actually had wrinkles disappear on my face and neck. Also I have more hair on my head and it grows faster. I have noticed that my beard is lighter, not as thick. I am very happy emotionally with no mood changes. I want things to move along but know it just takes time. I am really enjoying this experience.
I started hormones at 58, felt changes immediately but not significant e.g. breast were itchy from week one until one year later when I had breast augmentation. Not sure exactly when my face was noticeable to me in regards to changes but friend would say my face was much more feminine guessing at 8 or so months afterwards.
It's now 2.5 years since beginning hormones and in the past three months have noticed a huge difference in my emotions.
My expectations are that my hormones will keep causing small changes to me for years to come.
BTW I'm currently close to 61.
We all are different and react differently!
I am 63, started hormones with a low dosage at 61 as I couldn't change too quickly and had ~700 ng/DL testosterone then, started increasing dosage and went to full dosage about 9 months ago, my blood work 2 weeks ago shows 208 ng/DL testosterone and 57 pg/mL of estradiol and in addition I have been taking Dutasteride (avodart) for over 2 years now, as I had problems with an enlarged prostrate.
My body changes during that time includes some breast development, less than a B cup, almost total lost of body hair as it has changed to vellus, reduced size of testicles, no more undesired erections, hair in bold spots have increased, but also using .5mg minoxodil, no noticeable body fat redistribution by sight or measurement, according to my wife more patience and mellower, and lower energy.
Endocrinologist wanted to start slow and so did I as precaution with the tablets, and started with estradiol only and then after a few months added Spiro to the dosages, now I want to speed it up a bit, or see more reactions and the Dr says that my body does not react as quickly, just to give it time, that girls take up to 8 years to change into a woman.
I am frustrated, but at the same time since I am not living as a me, I guess i have to continue with my plans of a slow transition.
I would love to hear any comments If anyone has a suggestion to this puzzle.
Feel free to PM if you feel you have any questions or answers!
Emily
Quote from: Randi on December 26, 2016, 03:32:15 PM
My breasts and butt are quite ample. Of course my breasts are only a few years old, so they don't sag like a woman my age. I'm 67. I dress male, but it's pretty obvious that my figure is like Mae West.
Randi,
I like your reference to Mae West. I doubt there are very many here that can visualize the image. It would take old folks like us to do so and even at 64, Mae West was more of an icon for my parents.
I am another member of the senior choir at age 65 and agree with our friends here that age is not a barrier nor the ultimate determining factor in our success. Desire and determination seem more important.
Our appearance is highly overrated as transgender women and as any woman within western cultures. Standardized appearances are generally more highly valued and rewarded as stereotypically attractive people find it easier to land jobs and partners.
There is an unspoken narrative of being such a pretty MtF person, even before HRT, that one's transition is unquestioned. The "You're too beautiful or pretty to be a man" so of course you are trans! Likewise our success in transition is often predicated on reaching the holy grail of passing.
Where ever you find yourself I hope you feel supported for discovering and simply being your best and most real self. The journey of a lifetime for some of us that may start with very tentative and uncertain steps.
I had a friend who started transition just short of her 70th birthday and was very happy with her choice. That's several years ago but then there was a dedicated group for senior transitioners.
I am 65 and on my 5th month of estradiol. I went seeking answers for something on my mind for 37 years. Why did my first wife leave me. I learned more than likely I was not a crossdresser as I had thought all these years. I was actually transgender and I have been hiding it. I also found evidence that it may have been predetermined by the drugs administered to my mother while I was under development. I have many health problems and some genital defects. I could accept as a fluke if I had only one or two symptoms. But I have 7. I have finally gotten control of my anger and my feelings. And I like it. If I never pass so be it. I'll continue to dress for me. And my second wife is glad I went for counseling regardless of the outcome.
Quote from: JeanetteLW on January 26, 2017, 01:26:49 PM
Randi,
I like your reference to Mae West. I doubt there are very many here that can visualize the image. It would take old folks like us to do so and even at 64, Mae West was more of an icon for my parents.
When I worked at Yamaha at Montebello, CA back in the early seventies. We had a security guard named Carl who was a lover of Mae Wests. The dude thought he was Dirty Harry with a 44 magnum on his hip.
I'm 64 and started HRT less than a week ago. I am looking forward to a slow change into the shape of a woman. I already feel the effects emotionally today. I felt an elated sense of Love and well being from deep within me.
I'm new at this, but I sure am going to love the ride.
I'm the baby at 53...wow there are not too many places I can say that. LOL I started 8 months ago and from what I can tell patience is part of the key, as things take a little longer to get going, but they do get going, I am already at the stage where I confuse the hell out of people, I apparently look female from behind but not so much when you arrive around the other side LOL. Really though the best of it for me is the sense of finally feeling more like me!!
Hope we are all having a good day today
Hugs
Liz
I'm 58 and started HRT 8 months ago. It's been a wonderful experience both mental and physical. I'm so glad for this thread. It gave me a reason to measure myself today. I am now a full B cup. 35" band size. 37" bust size. I must say that I am to the point now where I notice them a lot more when I move around during the day and when I sleep at night. It's a lovely feeling.
Quote from: Jane Emily on January 26, 2017, 11:47:53 PM
I'm 58 and started HRT 8 months ago. It's been a wonderful experience both mental and physical. I'm so glad for this thread. It gave me a reason to measure myself today. I am now a full B cup. 35" band size. 37" bust size. I must say that I am to the point now where I notice them a lot more when I move around during the day and when I sleep at night. It's a lovely feeling.
Hi Jane,
I'm not sure if I should be happy for you or just turn green with envy. Oh okay I'll do both. I am happy for your progress in so short a time. (I'm sure it doesn't seem short but according to stuff I have read it is fairly short) YMMV be damned .
I'm envious of your dimensions too. Having only been on hrt for under 8 weeks, I can't boast about mine at all. Yes I've measure wistfully only to get 41" band an maybe a 41 1/2" bust, alas the cup of A is still lacking fulfillment. Mine have been a bit sore and there is something growing in there beside the fat accumulation. :(
Did yours do that "Budding" thing? I think that is sooo cool! I hope mine do so soon, though it will make concealment harder.
Anyway happy happy joy joy for you.
Jeanette
I am 62 and just started HRT last week. It seems to be a pretty common pattern for us "seniors" to finally figure it all out. At least it makes coming out at work (I'm retired) or to parents (both passed on) less of an issue.
For someone just starting transition, it is nice to hear the positive results from others. I'd be ecstatic if I grew to a B cup.
I started noticing changes after just a couple of weeks (I couldn't run without a bra. They were too sensitive.) and breast buds formed early. I swear. It was like miracle-gro. And the girls are far from done yet. They still get sore. No as much as much a before tho.
But I suspected it would be the case even before I started HRT (I come from a long line of Irish milk maids, i.e. all the females in my family are all large-breasted.) Before I started HRT I was actually afraid of what would happen if I began to show. I even did internet searches for how to hide them like buying special T-shirts on Amazon or wearing tight sports bras. Wow was I off! After I started to develop? Maybe it was the mental changes that estrogen produces, but I found myself just wanting to show them off with flattering clothes. I must say I make some people uptight tho. I'm so wicked. I never wear a bra.
:)
Quote from: Jane Emily on January 27, 2017, 11:04:31 PM
Maybe it was the mental changes that estrogen produces, but I found myself just wanting to show them off with flattering clothes. I must say I make some people uptight tho. I'm so wicked. I never wear a bra.
:)
You're such a hussy Jane. But hey I guess, "If you got em flaunt them"
I've done some looking at them tight garments to conceal mine too. I may not have much yet after 7 weeks, But I can see them there. (But then I know where to look)
Quote from: Jane Emily on January 27, 2017, 11:04:31 PM
Maybe it was the mental changes that estrogen produces, but I found myself just wanting to show them off with flattering clothes. I must say I make some people uptight tho. I'm so wicked. I never wear a bra.
:)
I am often in that bra free camp too. Bras in my size are difficult to find and at about a B cup my girls really don't need support. It would probably take a fire or tsunami to get me running. I was so very happy to finally need a bra but now I like the freedom of going without. I get the wicked part too, and the lookie Lous just make me smile all the more. Women have been wearing what they like long before we got here. ;D
I dress to feel and look good for myself, for the most part, and not looking for a date anyway. ;)
Quote from: KathyLauren on January 27, 2017, 05:17:57 PM
At least it makes coming out at work (I'm retired) or to parents (both passed on) less of an issue.
I cannot really estimate how important those factors were for me in coming out transgender. I am certain that being retired and having my parents gone did make it much easier to transition. I tried a transition in the early 90s and could find no professional help. I was also in an anesthesia practice with not infrequent call rooms, locker rooms and sensitive situations I shared with unsupportive peers. I could hardly imagine it working out then.
As a senior I have felt far less vulnerable than many of the young people I know and read about. No boss and no authority figure of any significance to stand in my way. I pushed back on the medical gatekeepers and won. My children are grown and independent. A long term and supportive spouse with years of working out the kinks. I felt almost bullet proof before I got groped. Age does have it's rewards!!
Quote from: Tessa James on January 28, 2017, 09:11:56 PM
I felt almost bullet proof before I got groped. Age does have it's rewards!!
You made me laugh again with that line, Tessa. I'll have you know I am getting groped daily. But, alas the hands are mine. I just can't leave these growing puppies alone.
Jeanette
Quote from: JeanetteLW on January 28, 2017, 10:12:48 PM
You made me laugh again with that line, Tessa. I'll have you know I am getting groped daily. But, alas the hands are mine. I just can't leave these growing puppies alone.
Jeanette
I recall a number of advocates writing here at the Place about how breast massage improved well being and promoted growth. A daily practice and admonition that takes no encouragement at all. My favorite exercise and a sweet sense of validation that I am real. ;D ;D ;D
True so true Tessa. Thanks for the endorsement and your permission to continue.
I need to discover a way to like or thumbs up a post other than making a formal reply.
Quote from: JeanetteLW on January 29, 2017, 12:57:51 PM
True so true Tessa. Thanks for the endorsement and your permission to continue.
I need to discover a way to like or thumbs up a post other than making a formal reply.
Not fishing for it, but there are those little green up and red down thumbs buttons just blow our avatar. Hit one and we are then lead to offer an explanation. I think most of us use the smite or red thumbs down button sparingly and for really serious breaches of the peace ;D We won't see those thumbs on our own account so we don't just devolve into more self gratification;)
You are referring to the rep points I believe and I did read the rules governing their use. The ones I see are just black numbers and no green or red thumbs at all. Don't recall in my reading if that functionality comes with time or posting restrictions. If so I would be too new for them. I'm still a newbie at everything (except for hiding myself).
I'll have to do some more homework. But I was looking more for something more in the lines of just and affirmation of a post or to indicate a liking for it. The rep thing I took more as something to shower praise for exceptional help to users or the site.
Jeanette
Quote from: JeanetteLW on January 29, 2017, 01:53:18 PM
You are referring to the rep points I believe and I did read the rules governing their use. The ones I see are just black numbers and no green or red thumbs at all. Don't recall in my reading if that functionality comes with time or posting restrictions. If so I would be too new for them. I'm still a newbie at everything (except for hiding myself).
I'll have to do some more homework. But I was looking more for something more in the lines of just and affirmation of a post or to indicate a liking for it. The rep thing I took more as something to shower praise for exceptional help to users or the site.
Jeanette
Jeanette you should have the symbols as described and these will assign the rep points. Let me report this and have a look at why you can't give rep points.
Liz
Quote from: ElizabethK on January 29, 2017, 05:01:36 PM
Quote from: JeanetteLW on January 29, 2017, 01:53:18 PM
You are referring to the rep points I believe and I did read the rules governing their use. The ones I see are just black numbers and no green or red thumbs at all. Don't recall in my reading if that functionality comes with time or posting restrictions. If so I would be too new for them. I'm still a newbie at everything (except for hiding myself).
I'll have to do some more homework. But I was looking more for something more in the lines of just and affirmation of a post or to indicate a liking for it. The rep thing I took more as something to shower praise for exceptional help to users or the site.
Jeanette
Jeanette you should have the symbols as described and these will assign the rep points. Let me report this and have a look at why you can't give rep points.
Liz
Fixed
Quote from: Cindy on January 29, 2017, 05:29:09 PM
Jeanette you should have the symbols as described and these will assign the rep points. Let me report this and have a look at why you can't give rep points.
Liz
Fixed
I'm sorry for hijacking this thread over a relatively small issue but I didn't know how else to reply. (see previous newbie references)
Perhaps I am not looking in the right places to see these red and green thumbs. I still do not see them under the poster's avatar. I even cleared my browser's cache.
Jeanette
Quote from: JeanetteLW on January 29, 2017, 08:45:16 PM
Perhaps I am not looking in the right places to see these red and green thumbs. I still do not see them under the poster's avatar. I even cleared my browser's cache.
I'm not a site admin or anything. Here's a link to the Reputation policy:
https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,18960.0.html
The Note says that you need to have 50 posts for the option to be available. Maybe that's it?
All the best,
--AshleyP
Thank you for the link. It was my thought to that I was too new yet to do the rep thing. I'm getting there
I was about to post the same information. Somewhere in the site, I am not sure where I saw it but there was a period of time where people were giving them out like candy. The limits were changed so people would have time to learn what a good post should look like and only reward those who produced outstanding posts.
If you tend to work with new members, you will find you earn fewer reputation points because they are unable to reward you. More senior members can reward you but because of their experience, it takes something they haven't already seen on the site.
Quote from: JeanetteLW on January 29, 2017, 01:53:18 PM
You are referring to the rep points I believe and I did read the rules governing their use. The ones I see are just black numbers and no green or red thumbs at all. Don't recall in my reading if that functionality comes with time or posting restrictions. If so I would be too new for them. I'm still a newbie at everything (except for hiding myself).
I'll have to do some more homework.
Jeanette
I knew I had thought it may have had it restrictions. I just hadn't found the link back to the info so I could reread it.
Thank you all for the help. And thank you AshleyP for the link.
As they say the mind is the 2nd thing to go when you get old. (can't remember the first)
Jeanette