Susan's Place Transgender Resources

Community Conversation => Transitioning => Hormone replacement therapy => Topic started by: drippin on May 11, 2011, 07:25:28 PM

Title: My arms are too big to pass? HRT effect on shoulders/arms?
Post by: drippin on May 11, 2011, 07:25:28 PM
So usually I go out with a jacket on or coat because i'm insecure about the size of my arms. Anyway, today I went out with a dress on that showed my full arms. I also just got new extensions that blend perfectly so my hair looks really good. I also did my makeup really cute today (this was earlier so it looked fresh, it's kinda done with now) Anyway, I went and ran a few errands and everyone was staring at me. I'm pretty sure I was being read left and right. It was wierd because i've been passing so much lateley and randomly felt like I got read today. But then again, Maybe it's cause I was all done up people were staring? I'm really not sure and I'm kinda bummed. Anyway... What was your experience with HRT and the way your shoulders/arms looked after a while? I know that it decreases muscle mass but i'm just wondering if ya'll think i'm hopeless? did anyone have arms relative to mine that looked softer and decreased in size afterwards? I'm kinda stressing about it to be honest..

:(

(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg717.imageshack.us%2Fimg717%2F7466%2Fphotoon20110511at1715.jpg&hash=b98efd92206b66093c3d59f40de64ada583e3e94) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/717/photoon20110511at1715.jpg/)

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Title: Re: My arms are too big to pass? HRT effect on shoulders/arms?
Post by: Double_Rainbow on May 11, 2011, 07:45:55 PM
OMG, you've got arms like me!  YOU ARE NOT ALONE.  Honestly I don't know what to do to make them smaller save starving yourself, which is NOT an option.  If you find out the secret, let me know!  :)
Title: Re: My arms are too big to pass? HRT effect on shoulders/arms?
Post by: ~RoadToTrista~ on May 11, 2011, 07:48:04 PM
Your arms look perfectly fine as far as I can tell. :) Maybe they just thought you were pretty.
Title: Re: My arms are too big to pass? HRT effect on shoulders/arms?
Post by: girl_ashley on May 11, 2011, 07:48:53 PM
No one is going to get clocked by their arms...you have nothing to worry about...you are perfectly passable
Title: Re: My arms are too big to pass? HRT effect on shoulders/arms?
Post by: Double_Rainbow on May 11, 2011, 07:50:59 PM
Yeah, they really aren't big.  They were probably just looking at you cause they know you're gorgeous!
Title: Re: My arms are too big to pass? HRT effect on shoulders/arms?
Post by: Cen on May 11, 2011, 10:36:26 PM
I don't think your arms or shoulders are so large that people might question whether or not you are female.  Plenty of women have arms on the thicker side, so it might just be in your head.
Title: Re: My arms are too big to pass? HRT effect on shoulders/arms?
Post by: wheat thins are delicious on May 11, 2011, 10:44:58 PM
Quote from: girl_ashley on May 11, 2011, 07:48:53 PM
No one is going to get clocked by their arms...you have nothing to worry about...you are perfectly passable

Seriously.  They look the perfect size. 
Title: Re: My arms are too big to pass? HRT effect on shoulders/arms?
Post by: Megan Joanne on May 11, 2011, 10:58:22 PM
Your arms look great, look like any typical women's arms. I also think, seeing pics of you, you look very much like a pretty woman to me as a whole. I think you're just getting self conscience over little things, which again is typical of most women, I get like that and my mom always tells me that I'm fine, and that if I weren't she'd let me know, and she has at time. I'm always concerned most about my tiny bit of facial hair, I always got a few specks of black stubs just under the surface, but it don't ever give me away as a guy, at least not yet. I think so long as you carry yourself well as a woman, you'll be fine, just have confidence.
Title: Re: My arms are too big to pass? HRT effect on shoulders/arms?
Post by: EmilyElizabeth on May 11, 2011, 11:05:41 PM
Quote from: Megan Joanne on May 11, 2011, 10:58:22 PM
I think you're just getting self conscience over little things, which again is typical of most women, I get like that and my mom always tells me that I'm fine, and that if I weren't she'd let me know, and she has at time.
i guess we have a similar relationship with our moms  :laugh:

but yeah, drippin, you're beautiful!  That's why people were staring at you!  You're arms are perfectly fine, so don't worry about it!
Title: Re: My arms are too big to pass? HRT effect on shoulders/arms?
Post by: JungianZoe on May 11, 2011, 11:23:49 PM
Your arms are nothing to worry about! :)  Your upper arms are especially feminine.  Mine are still super skinny and have muscle lines whenever I bend them.  This on top of my armspan being 9" longer than I am tall and hands that can reach 15 keys on a full-size piano.

Which is to say I'd kill for your arms.  :laugh:
Title: Re: My arms are too big to pass? HRT effect on shoulders/arms?
Post by: Torn1990 on May 12, 2011, 02:28:34 AM
i think you look really pretty
Title: Re: My arms are too big to pass? HRT effect on shoulders/arms?
Post by: rylielove on May 12, 2011, 10:33:34 AM
I'm going for the starving yourself method... Ill let you know how it goes hehe :)
Title: Re: My arms are too big to pass? HRT effect on shoulders/arms?
Post by: eleanorroberts on May 12, 2011, 10:44:40 AM
I think people were looking at you either because you are pretty (which you are!) or because you were feeling self-concious and it was showing. Your arms and shoulders look fine to me.
Title: Re: My arms are too big to pass? HRT effect on shoulders/arms?
Post by: drippin on May 12, 2011, 11:21:41 AM
Thank you all for your responses! I feel much more at ease.

@Eleanor, I think you may be right. Because my brother pointed out that maybe it was because I wasn't carrying myself with confidence. I also realized yesterday that thefit of the dress makes my upper body look bulk-i-er than usual... Cause I tried on a tank top after posting this and my arms looked fine. It probably is all in my head but gee wiz! I guess that's just part of being a girl.
Title: Re: My arms are too big to pass? HRT effect on shoulders/arms?
Post by: Samantha_Marie on May 12, 2011, 02:09:49 PM
Your arms are fine! You look gorgeous! The only thing I'd say is to fix your farmers tan lol
Title: Re: My arms are too big to pass? HRT effect on shoulders/arms?
Post by: jennajane on May 12, 2011, 02:16:32 PM
I am also very self conscious of my arms, to make matters worse I put a tattoo on my right bicep when I was trying to be a man.  After 6 session of laser tattoo removal it is now a faded tattoo.  I have also been on HRT for 6 months and I have noticed that my arms are a lot smaller now.  Before I practiced a lot, like really a lot of yoga and I had really strong arms, but now they aren't as defined, the veins don't stick out as much, and my arm balances suck in comparison.  But, I still won't wear a tank top out.  All my shirts reach my elbows.  This wasn't so bad last winter or last summer when I was part time, but this summer, FT, I think I will have to get over my arm issues.  We can do it!

Jenna   
Title: Re: My arms are too big to pass? HRT effect on shoulders/arms?
Post by: Cyndigurl45 on May 12, 2011, 03:47:39 PM
That's nothing try hiding well defined 18" arms with manly tats , I use makeup on my tats and do the female body builder look ;)
Title: Re: My arms are too big to pass? HRT effect on shoulders/arms?
Post by: ~RoadToTrista~ on May 12, 2011, 04:20:20 PM
^I would have shown them off. :P
Title: Re: My arms are too big to pass? HRT effect on shoulders/arms?
Post by: Joelene9 on May 12, 2011, 04:31:25 PM
Drippin,
  You look good as you are! Your arms are fine, I see a lot of softness there!  I seen those on a lot of cis-women!
  Joelene
Title: Re: My arms are too big to pass? HRT effect on shoulders/arms?
Post by: amybenedict on May 12, 2011, 04:38:50 PM
To be honest, I would probably be looking at you if I saw you out. But that is because you are FIT! (That means HOT in UK speak...)

:-)
Title: Re: My arms are too big to pass? HRT effect on shoulders/arms?
Post by: pebbles on May 12, 2011, 06:38:42 PM
They look fine really they do they look alot like my sisters arms.

Not begging for attention or pity but mine look like the following :/ Thus usually when talking with somone they will ask eventually.

Answers about what happened...
I got them in the war... Jimmy... JIMMY!! *twitch twitch*
Too much masturbation my arms broke off... It was kinda tricky reattaching them with no arms!
(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv63%2FDarkphantom%2Foldscars.png&hash=1a143dde27e9173a6e08091dc73c658cc3bb60f2)

Wanna swap XD
Title: Re: My arms are too big to pass? HRT effect on shoulders/arms?
Post by: Alyssa M. on May 12, 2011, 08:01:09 PM
Quote from: JungianZoe on May 11, 2011, 11:23:49 PM
Your arms are nothing to worry about! :)  Your upper arms are especially feminine.  Mine are still super skinny and have muscle lines whenever I bend them.  This on top of my armspan being 9" longer than I am tall and hands that can reach 15 keys on a full-size piano.

Which is to say I'd kill for your arms.  :laugh:

Wow! You should take up rock climbing: Long, super-skinny arms are ideal. Don't worry about muscle definition, because most rock climbers don't have particularly much of it. It has to do with endurance, after all, rather than strength.

My experience on HRT is that my arms definitely got smaller. And, yes, weaker, too ... and I became a better rock climber at the same time.
Title: Re: My arms are too big to pass? HRT effect on shoulders/arms?
Post by: Siren on May 13, 2011, 04:30:26 AM
I think the shape of your arms is fine but the t-shirt tan is not a good look on a girl ;)
Your shoulders look paler than your arms which draws the eye to them. A bit of fake tan there would help a lot, I reckon :)
Title: Re: My arms are too big to pass? HRT effect on shoulders/arms?
Post by: Cyndigurl45 on May 13, 2011, 07:27:36 AM
Quote from: ~RoadToTrista~ on May 12, 2011, 04:20:20 PM
^I would have shown them off. :P
Well I suppose I should have :)  this is just a quickie from this morning,

(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fphotos-h.ak.fbcdn.net%2Fhphotos-ak-ash4%2F227552_215620691789321_100000241765298_900356_3010693_s.jpg&hash=272d27881742095fadd28da4d9e3bccf40aede20)
Title: Re: My arms are too big to pass? HRT effect on shoulders/arms?
Post by: JungianZoe on May 13, 2011, 10:37:37 PM
Quote from: Alyssa M. on May 12, 2011, 08:01:09 PM
Wow! You should take up rock climbing: Long, super-skinny arms are ideal. Don't worry about muscle definition, because most rock climbers don't have particularly much of it. It has to do with endurance, after all, rather than strength.

Only two things in this world truly terrify me: wasps and heights.  Not in that order.  :laugh:  Endurance or no, I'd become a quivering heap of tears about 10 feet off the ground (which is probably when a wasp would start buzzing me, just to make it worse).

Think I'll stick to my piano... ;D
Title: Re: My arms are too big to pass? HRT effect on shoulders/arms?
Post by: xxUltraModLadyxx on May 14, 2011, 12:35:45 AM
Quote from: drippin on May 11, 2011, 07:25:28 PM
So usually I go out with a jacket on or coat because i'm insecure about the size of my arms. Anyway, today I went out with a dress on that showed my full arms. I also just got new extensions that blend perfectly so my hair looks really good. I also did my makeup really cute today (this was earlier so it looked fresh, it's kinda done with now) Anyway, I went and ran a few errands and everyone was staring at me. I'm pretty sure I was being read left and right. It was wierd because i've been passing so much lateley and randomly felt like I got read today. But then again, Maybe it's cause I was all done up people were staring? I'm really not sure and I'm kinda bummed. Anyway... What was your experience with HRT and the way your shoulders/arms looked after a while? I know that it decreases muscle mass but i'm just wondering if ya'll think i'm hopeless? did anyone have arms relative to mine that looked softer and decreased in size afterwards? I'm kinda stressing about it to be honest..

:(

(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg717.imageshack.us%2Fimg717%2F7466%2Fphotoon20110511at1715.jpg&hash=b98efd92206b66093c3d59f40de64ada583e3e94) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/717/photoon20110511at1715.jpg/)

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mine are kind of like yours, except my problem is fat. i think the estrogen/anti androgens took some bulk out of my arm muscles. i never really had any to begin with, but your arms don't look that bad to me. i think they're fine.
Title: Re: My arms are too big to pass? HRT effect on shoulders/arms?
Post by: Just Shelly on May 14, 2011, 12:48:18 AM
Quote from: pebbles on May 12, 2011, 06:38:42 PM
They look fine really they do they look alot like my sisters arms.

Not begging for attention or pity but mine look like the following :/ Thus usually when talking with somone they will ask eventually.

Answers about what happened...
I got them in the war... Jimmy... JIMMY!! *twitch twitch*
Too much masturbation my arms broke off... It was kinda tricky reattaching them with no arms!
(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv63%2FDarkphantom%2Foldscars.png&hash=1a143dde27e9173a6e08091dc73c658cc3bb60f2)

Wanna swap XD
I'm afraid to ask! but what is this?




I think your arms look fine they may be bigger then mine but softer I think!

I have 11" flexed and I still think mine look huge! and muscular although where I don't know :)

I will say though the farmers tan definitely might draw some attention, I still have remnants from last year. UGH
Title: Re: My arms are too big to pass? HRT effect on shoulders/arms?
Post by: Joelene9 on May 14, 2011, 01:10:14 AM
Drippin,
  Your arms aren't that long either.  I see at least 10" from your fingertips to your knee.  I'm 6'2", 36" inseam with long thin gorilla arms.  The distance from my fingertips to my knees is 6"!  Ooka, ooka!  The hair thinned out, they don't look as much of gorilla from the softening of the skin.  Feel better now?
  Joelene
Title: Re: My arms are too big to pass? HRT effect on shoulders/arms?
Post by: JungianZoe on May 14, 2011, 01:33:11 AM
Quote from: Joelene9 on May 14, 2011, 01:10:14 AM
Drippin,
  Your arms aren't that long either.  I see at least 10" from your fingertips to your knee.  I'm 6'2", 36" inseam with long thin gorilla arms.  The distance from my fingertips to my knees is 6"!  Ooka, ooka!  The hair thinned out, they don't look as much of gorilla from the softening of the skin.  Feel better now?
  Joelene

If you think 6" looks like gorilla, try 3"...  :laugh:  During puberty, my arms grew before the rest of me and there are pictures where my fingertips end an inch below my knees.
Title: Re: My arms are too big to pass? HRT effect on shoulders/arms?
Post by: Joelene9 on May 14, 2011, 01:41:19 AM
  You're a spider monkey!
  Joelene
Title: Re: My arms are too big to pass? HRT effect on shoulders/arms?
Post by: BunnyBee on May 14, 2011, 01:54:16 AM
I think my arms may be the longest of anybody here :(.  They used to be pretty big too, then they got really skinny on HRT after quite a long time, but now they have become fatter with the rest of my body..

Your arms look fine exactly how they are though, so it shouldn't be an issue anyway ;)
Title: Re: My arms are too big to pass? HRT effect on shoulders/arms?
Post by: Rock_chick on May 14, 2011, 02:23:41 AM
People were staring at you because you are a pretty girl wearing a nice dress. Time to get used to some basic objectification from the male gaze hun.

The bit where they stare at your boobs while simultaniously trying to look like they're not staring at your boobs is quite funny especially if they walk into a lampost (that's not happened but I live in hope)
Title: Re: My arms are too big to pass? HRT effect on shoulders/arms?
Post by: vanna on May 14, 2011, 02:28:07 AM
Yes the boob stare is the ultimate you pass is there is such a word,

one oh my neighbours openly talked to my boobs for like 30 secs before becoming aware i was just frowning at him :)
Title: Re: My arms are too big to pass? HRT effect on shoulders/arms?
Post by: PiperEden on May 14, 2011, 04:24:37 AM
I think your arms are perfect! they remind me of my little sister's! very feminine I think! :D
Title: Re: My arms are too big to pass? HRT effect on shoulders/arms?
Post by: Alyssa M. on May 17, 2011, 05:44:54 AM
Quote from: JungianZoe on May 13, 2011, 10:37:37 PM
Only two things in this world truly terrify me: wasps and heights.  Not in that order.  :laugh:  Endurance or no, I'd become a quivering heap of tears about 10 feet off the ground (which is probably when a wasp would start buzzing me, just to make it worse).

Think I'll stick to my piano... ;D

Oh -- I'm completely terrified of heights. Or at least I was, to the point that I couldn't stand near the window in tall buildings because I was afraid I would be sucked out by the power of the vertigo. That's half the point, the battle between your rational mind telling you, "Why worry now? This is sooooo much safer than the drive to the crag was," and your instincts telling you "HOLY CRAP WHAT ARE YOU DOING? GET DOWN THIS INSTANT!!!"

And the cool thing about that part where you turn into a quivering heap of tears (which I've done myself, more than once) is that you just tell your partner to let you down, and you're on the ground a few seconds later. So you learn to trust the system and overcome your fear one little step at a time.

And also, girls who climb are hot! ... and guys too, if, you know, you're into that sort of thing; at least some of them are.
Title: Re: My arms are too big to pass? HRT effect on shoulders/arms?
Post by: Rock_chick on May 17, 2011, 01:05:53 PM
Quote from: Alyssa M. on May 17, 2011, 05:44:54 AM
And also, girls who climb are hot!

the exact same thing applies to girls who longboard as well  ;D
Title: Re: My arms are too big to pass? HRT effect on shoulders/arms?
Post by: Princess Rachel on May 17, 2011, 01:53:24 PM
I have bingo wings but I don't care  ;D
Title: Re: My arms are too big to pass? HRT effect on shoulders/arms?
Post by: pebbles on May 17, 2011, 04:26:21 PM
Quote from: Just Shelly on May 14, 2011, 12:48:18 AM
I'm afraid to ask! but what is this?
That is my right upper arm... Showing the large amount of scar tissue I have similar scarring covers most of my body.

How we all dealt with gender dysphora varies from person to person some drank, some did drugs, others smoked alot... I knew the dangers of those and avoided them but nobody told me about self harm until it was too late.