Susan's Place Transgender Resources

Community Conversation => Transitioning => Hormone replacement therapy => Topic started by: Eve of chaos on July 12, 2018, 12:11:29 AM

Title: Is HRT a switch that can be turned on and off?
Post by: Eve of chaos on July 12, 2018, 12:11:29 AM
A lot of therapy and a lot of years to think and I've decided to transition once again. even if I'm scared.

all that aside one particular question about HRT has been bugging me. I haven't been able to get an answer by searching so I figured I'd ask it straight out.

If someone took HRT in the past and stopped just as breasts were forming. around 3-4 months. (7 weeks I think) or similar, then stopped cold. what would be expected if they started again?

specifically do those changes get put on a sort of pause. or since they were stopped as they were beginning are they frozen at that point?

like If HRT is a feminizing switch once turned on, then turned off early. can it not be effectively turned back on again?
not sure the best way to word this question. I hope this is sufficient.
Title: Re: Is HRT a switch that can be turned on and off?
Post by: Mendi on July 12, 2018, 12:20:04 AM
Just my experience. In 2013 I was on hrt for about 3 months, and stopped.

Now started again 8 months ago and in about 7 months I got b cups.

This, my experience and only one experience.

I was also worried about the same thing as you, that I destroyed my chances of feminization, when stopping hormones years ago and now they would not do a thing anymore. Turns out, it´s not true  :)
Title: Re: Is HRT a switch that can be turned on and off?
Post by: Arianna Valentine on July 12, 2018, 12:20:34 AM
Quote from: Eve of chaos on July 12, 2018, 12:11:29 AM
A lot of therapy and a lot of years to think and I've decided to transition once again. even if I'm scared.

all that aside one particular question about HRT has been bugging me. I haven't been able to get an answer by searching so I figured I'd ask it straight out.

If someone took HRT in the past and stopped just as breasts were forming. around 3-4 months. (7 weeks I think) or similar, then stopped cold. what would be expected if they started again?

specifically do those changes get put on a sort of pause. or since they were stopped as they were beginning are they frozen at that point?

like If HRT is a feminizing switch once turned on, then turned off early. can it not be effectively turned back on again?
not sure the best way to word this question. I hope this is sufficient.
I don't see why it wouldn't be able to be "flipped" back on I mean it's adding estrogen and removing testosterone your Dr will check tour levels I imagine your probably close to when you.stopped or you completely aren't back to full testosterone even if you still have the breasts then I'd think you just start from there you might even grow bigger breasts from doing it that way no telling honestly

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Title: Re: Is HRT a switch that can be turned on and off?
Post by: GingerVicki on July 12, 2018, 07:51:28 AM
i've read that when restarting hormones the changes are quicker.
Title: Re: Is HRT a switch that can be turned on and off?
Post by: Harley Quinn on July 12, 2018, 08:56:49 AM
You can stop and start. Starting again will play catchup a little quicker and then progress as normal. Since breast buds had probably already formed, you'll just start to fill out again and continue down the feminizing road. Many of us have taken breaks and had no issue.
Title: Re: Is HRT a switch that can be turned on and off?
Post by: Eve of chaos on July 12, 2018, 02:49:04 PM
That's a huge relief to hear. Thanks all for the input.
Title: Re: Is HRT a switch that can be turned on and off?
Post by: gallux on July 13, 2018, 09:51:56 AM
On the past 6 months, I've stopped 3 times cold turkey and restarted after about 2 weeks of stopping. Last time I stopped, I was beginning to form buds. Took a lot of counseling and affirmation to settle things on. It is not easy, for sure.

I was very concerned that it would impact my progress, but the buds are still growing and at least in my own perception, there is steady progress. Buds are growing and so are my nipples changing into a female shape, I think they are between an A/B cup. Thighs, hips are growing and waist is shaping as well. So I think there was no impact other than delay the changes a bit.

I think I am at what would be 3-4 months of progress, from what other sisters report in their timelines. That is when usually the changes "kick in" (Onset of breast formation and increased fat redistribution). Also my doc increased my dosage to the standard level now, so I expect changes to increase further from now on.