As we age our natural production of hormones decreases. In men it's gradual. In many women, it's a crash. But in all of us a decrease in hormone production is inevitable. And "getting old" seems to go hand in hand with that.
My fiance & I socialize with a lot of non-trans people. We hear many questions asked and when we're in the company of women the subject of HRT comes up a lot. As they describe their own experiences and compare it to ours there seems to be a pretty high level of interest about how young we look and how vibrant we are.
I know, for us, we have a new lease on life and an enormously positive outlook. They are often bored and maybe even a bit depressed at growing old. I'm fast approaching 58 and I've never felt so alive! But I've been in prison a long time and I am enjoying my freedom. So I get that may play a part in our different attitudes.
Still, I wonder how much HRT plays a part in a youthful appearance and a positive outlook on life. When I say, "I have the hormone levels of a 20 something women" the other women look at me like I've found the fountain of youth.
"If this works so well for you, why doesn't my doctor put me on HRT?" I've heard that a lot of "mature" women.
There was some doctor I saw on TV a couple of years ago. He was around 70 but had a body of a well toned 50 year old. He had some of his patients there with him too and all looked considerably younger than their age. He was treating them and himself with hormones and all said they felt more active, youthful and alive.
So, the fact that we will be on a regulated dose of hormones the rest of our lives, and that level will never change, has me wondering how we'll all age.
Has there ever been a study looking into this?
Julie
I can understand it. I feel like I am 16 again. And I am about to turn 55. I could use a face lift at least, but I do feel young again.
My ex doesn't want to go on HRT, but I think it is more she is afraid of side effects. And that she hates taking pills.
Janet
I think that transgender people are just more likely to care about their physical presentation than older non-transgender people. Transgender people are finally getting to live the life they always wanted while non-transgender people are just watching the life they always had go downhill, physically speaking.
i think this is pretty true, especially when it comes to we ftms. because once on T, we look like very young men still in puberty. and it could take us ages to catch up to the 'full masculinization' of other men.
with mtfs, could be that the higher levels of estrogen promote a more youthful figure and such too.
This 49 yr old seeks a touch of feminisation and the total eradication of Testosterone, if that offers me a more youthful appearence then it is gladly acceptable.
One of the biggest changes that MtF HRT often makes is in skin quality. I've had a number of compliments about that. I suspect the rejuvenating effects of estrogen on skin is what makes us look younger and our new found willingness to be truly alive makes us seem younger too.
hugs & smiles
Emelye
Quote from: Julie Marie on February 14, 2009, 08:03:11 AM
Still, I wonder how much HRT plays a part in a youthful appearance and a positive outlook on life. When I say, "I have the hormone levels of a 20 something women" the other women look at me like I've found the fountain of youth.
This really isn't making staying "off" HRT any easier for me ;D