I believe I have pieced together what to expect in the next 5 years, but I implore any of you knowledgeable of this to confirm my suspicions.
If I'm 21 at the start of HRT (MtF), and I just have Spiro (or some AA) with a low dose of Estradiol (like the dosages given to post-menopausal GGs for bone health), I am estimating that the physical effects may take up to 6 months to even truly begin. The effects should not be profound/pronounced until roughly 2-3 years of the regimen. I would still easily pass as a male (which I will be forced to for a while longer [read as: 3-4 years]) for a long time. Though I predict this should give me a very good foundation to begin the rest of the transitioning process after ~4 years of this therapy, I can't be certain.
Does this sound reasonable? I'm open to any and all feedback/questions. I need to perfect how I want to achieve my goal, after all.
Genetics has a lot to do with. Some take off with the lowest of dosages.
But two years is a good plan. Remember girls go through puberty for years.
Are you going to have to present as male for 3-4 years? If so, starting too early sounds kind of risky. Especially at 21, you could change a lot in that amount of time. I'm not up on the mtf timetable and changes though. What happens if you lose the ability to pass as male? Is this a major concern?
Quote from: Nero on November 16, 2010, 12:30:28 PM
Are you going to have to present as male for 3-4 years? If so, starting too early sounds kind of risky. Especially at 21, you could change a lot in that amount of time. I'm not up on the mtf timetable and changes though. What happens if you lose the ability to pass as male? Is this a major concern?
It's more-so that it would be easier. Sure, college-mates will not care what or who I am. However, I will more than likely be in a male dormitory so at least I cannot be full time for a while.
If I can no longer pass as male at all, I suppose I could live off-campus. That would be a little extra worry financially, but manageable I suppose. It then becomes an issue of whether or not my parents will accept me then. It's not critical to pass as a male, but it may make things just a little easier. I'm more into this regime for the mental aspect of no longer having to deal with testosterone than anything, but of course, being on such a regime would begin the transitioning phase.
Quite the dilemma, no?
If you're not seeking breast development, why not just go with an anti-androgen regimen until you can go FT?
AA's will lower your T levels, and depending on genetics, your body, et al soften your appearance without feminizing it.
Just my thoughts...
My body seems to have taken to estrogen quite quickly. The first week I started on HRT, I was only using a partial dose of Estrogen because my doctor was waiting for some lab tests. I was feeling its effects pretty quickly.
Like someone else mentioned, I think it's genetics. Keep in mind as you look at all of this: Your body needs these hormones. If you drop your Testosterone level too much without replacing it with Estrogen, it's going to adversely affect you in ways that you may not expect.
Perhaps you can speak to your doctor about alternatives and come up with a good plan?
Quote from: Kelli on November 16, 2010, 01:42:08 PM
If you're not seeking breast development, why not just go with an anti-androgen regimen until you can go FT?
AA's will lower your T levels, and depending on genetics, your body, et al soften your appearance without feminizing it.
Just my thoughts...
Isn't that dangerous for bone health and other reasons? I was always under the impression you couldn't be on just an AA alone for very long...Can you though?
Well... it's quite a dilemma... that is for sure!!!
I am on a low dose too, and just started... I will let you know in a few weeks how it is going...
My situation is similar in the basic stuff... don't want people noticing right now...
I hope that the low dosage would make the transition more smooth, and allow my body to deal with all the changes it has to go through... but we will see.
Best luck!!
Anna
You can pass for as long as you want to pass. FTM's do it all the time and many having been on estrogen the best part of their lives on TOP of their DNA disadvantage. Anyone who tells you otherwise is blowing smoke up your skirt. Personally, I've been on a full transition level regimen to control my GD for nearly a year. I passed fine guy or girl before HRT and no better today.
By not being at a normal level of both hormones, you body will try to compensate one way or another. You may have mood swings, hot flashes, etc... if you're not some what hormonally balanced. Plus you'll probably have no energy.
As the answer to your first question... that's like me asking you what the lotto numbers will be in 2 years... You have no way of knowing.
Quote from: Virginia on November 17, 2010, 07:33:22 PM
You can pass for as long as you want to pass. FTM's do it all the time and many having been on estrogen the best part of their lives on TOP of their DNA disadvantage. Anyone who tells you otherwise is blowing smoke up your skirt. Personally, I've been on a full transition level regimen to control my GD for nearly a year. I passed fine guy or girl before HRT and no better today.
I'd have to agree with this. Yes, genetics do play a big part... but unless you go out and have full FFS and BA, you're not going to change into a whole different person. Yes, there will be some facial subcutaneous fat deposits growing, lessing of overall body hair, etc but nothing that you can't hide unless you choose not to.
Uhh... I look like a completely different person now than I did 2 years ago... No FFS or BA. I can't pass as a guy if I try at this point.
People will notice your body changing and at some point you can't really hide it very well anymore.