Hello everyone.  I'm new to this forum and had a question about how fast breast development starts or appears but let me give you a bit of a background on myself first.  I'm 32 and currently married w/2 young children.  I told my wife about my feelings on feeling as a girl (and some things I have done to repress how I felt all these years and during the years I've been with her which when I told her she can now look back and see it) After we discuss this we have decided I should do HRT.  She is very supportive of it and we decided it would be best while the children are young.  I don't currently go to therapy since I've known how I've felt.  I always communicate with my wife and have  her support.  So we decided to go with informed consent since it's not a law to have a letter from a therapist to start HRT.  I plan on going to one at a later date. 

I started Estroidal Injections 3 days ago.  I'm not sure how fast some things happen but there has been some changes as I'll describe. 

Day 1: after about 4 hours felt more calm (which I assumed was all in my head). 

Day 2: I was definitely calmer.  Most of the time my kids can get me pissed and angry a few times a day lol maybe more.  I could feel the anger and rage there but I couldn't get ahold of it and I did try since it seems that was always a good way to get pumped up if having to do something strenuous or something like downhill skiing on a new run that is up a new level.  That night I went to bed and was lying on my back the blankets were laying on top of me and it felt as if they were heavy and starting to hurt my chest.  I pushed on the peck muscles and there was a slight tenderness.

Day 3:  Erections are now not as strong as they were before nor can I maintain an erection unless I really think about it or I'm touched.  Semen has gotten clearer and doesn't smell like it use too, almost no smell at all.  Another thing that I was shocked about and my wife was surprised about is when I made a muscle on the forearm or bicep it was not as solid as normal it's now soft for about 1/16" before it hits hard muscle.  (no I'm not totally ripped, I do P90x) I have not worked out this past week though since it's a rest week for me.  Here is the part I'm wondering if anyone has experienced this:  Breast area behind the nipples is starting to hurt for sure.  I can feel the pain heading back towards the armpits.  There is no lump behind the nipples or anything yet but it is now extremely soft and I can push in were as before that was muscle.  This was not something I expected right away at least not 3 days in.   I took my shirt off tonight and looked in the mirror and 1 1/2 inches around the nipple area is all puffed up and are they pointing out.  I know this since I workout and look at myself in the mirror everyday and have or well now HAD peck muscles.

I have not regretted the decision to do this and I'm actually more at ease with myself now that I have started and my wife is now seeing a better part of me.  Thank you for taking the time to read this.  Any input would be much appreciated.

I was never on injectables; however, the observations you report are too sudden for physical changes due to the medication.

On the other hand, the "calm" has been reported by a number of our members, including myself.  Part of it, I believe, is due to stress being relieved by actually doing something to combat the dysphoria.

I have to agree with Jamie (having been on injectable estradiol myself). The changes are probably psychosomatic at best in the first few weeks.

PS: There is no "law," just guidelines practitioners use to treat trans people.

Frankly, unless you had very odd hormone levels before the injection, there is no way the changes you describe could happen in that short time.

Quote from: Kelly the Trans-Rebel on March 31, 2013, 05:19:50 AM

Frankly, unless you had very odd hormone levels before the injection, there is no way the changes you describe could happen in that short time.

I am a natural cynic, still I'll also bite.

First, I hope it's not a case of DIY. Second I really hope "started injections does not imply there has been more that a single one in 3 days!

I've been on/off HRT several times for my dysphoria. Any effects , such as yours, from them took over a month. Without an anti-andogen, even longer.

Psyscological not physiological

That is what I thought that it is was all in my head but on day 3 when I looked in the mirror is when I was not seeing things.  Esp when my wife sees it too.  Oh well I will just see where it goes. 

No I've only had one shot (I follow the prescribe dosage/time).  Yes I'm seeing a Dr and having blood levels followed.

Chiming in with the choir, estrogen for me (sublingual tabs) took a good month to feel, erections persisted for a number of months at least, semen did not change regarding amount, clarity, etc for a number of months, breast tenderness was quickest, and even that was about a month. And that's with anti-androgens for a few months prior to starting E. Not saying it isn't possible, but the effect (as pleasant as it might be, and as valid for the poster) is almost certainly psychosomatic. But keep going, and kudos on finding a partner loving enough for this journey. They're pretty rare, so treat her well! Good luck!

When I started HRT (pills), I got "B" cup breasts in a matter of hours. I don't know what all this talk is of months, even years, until something shows up.








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Early April Fools'!!!!










Seriously, it usually takes a few months for any growth, then it's just little "buds"...it takes girls-at-birth about 4 years to go through their puberty, which is essentially what you're doing now, going through a second puberty.

Welcome to Susan's, btw.

Thanks.  Well I be going to the beach in 2 1/2 months so I hope there isn't anything much more than what has happened till after we get back.  If anything does change well going to have to figure out a way to work with it.

Quote from: MRach on March 31, 2013, 11:49:10 AM
Thanks.  Well I be going to the beach in 2 1/2 months so I hope there isn't anything much more than what has happened till after we get back.  If anything does change well going to have to figure out a way to work with it.

There is a thread called "breasts are hard to hide" which discusses this kind of thing. There are tips and tricks to conceal your chest, if/when that'll be a problem.

I will bite as well. I am concerned about how quickly you have jumped into all of this. HRT is not an overnight miracle, which appears to how you have also approached accepting being transgendered. I realize everyone's situation is different. I had three younger children I have custody of and was divorced when I transitioned, but I came to the decision after a good long time in therapy and trying to help my children through the process at the same time. Even in their younger ages it was difficult and therapy was vital to our transition as a family. You have a wife and two children. Everyone may be accepting now, but the challenges of life come along and your transition will likely cause further stress. It is and will be hard on everyone. Even with therapy I felt selfish and felt I was overlooking the needs of my children for my own. Even with therapy there were times we struggled. HRT when you have a wife and children is not something you suddenly decide to do. It needs to be a very careful decision made from sound professional advice from a therapist. I know you likely don't want to hear this, but take it from someone who has gone before you, and please get a therapist first before immersing yourself and them through transition. Being concerned about your breasts should be the least of your worries.

I've been on HRT for a month and I can tell you for a fact that my skin is significantly drier, semen content went from regular (I'll save you the icky details) to def not regular, and my nipples have enlarged quite dramatically in the last couple days. In fairness, I had serious gynecomastia to begin with and I'm really skinny so that was expected. I also have low T to begin with, so my dose is different from yours. High E low AA. You can't be running around without one or the other and spiro at normal doses nukes my T so they changed the dose but that will change soon. But I stopped from last year so I'm like, uh, a retranssitioner so that might be an issue. But most of the changes are not noticeable, I think. The only thing really dramatic are the nipples and boobs but like I said I got lucky in that dept. and jumped the gun.

I certainly felt better immediately upon starting E, however I believe that can be attributed to having finally made a decision. I started to feel occasional tinges in breast region after about a week, but even at four months now, they're not very big yet.

Shana

My sex drive started seriously diminishing within a few days, and was completely annihilated within two weeks, maybe less. But that's because of the antiandrogen, not estradiol. Hormones should be much slower to act. Maybe you're sensitive and already feeling the slightest bit of effects. And then your mind exaggerates it. It happens a lot.

Quote from: Kelly the Trans-Rebel on March 31, 2013, 05:19:50 AM
Frankly, unless you had very odd hormone levels before the injection, there is no way the changes you describe could happen in that short time.

I'll go with the above because I did have odd hormone levels.  Before I started HRT, my E was varying around 90 and my T was 19.    When I started HRT, I had similar effects along a similar time-line.  However, I had been having of and on nipple pain and breast growth for several months before starting HRT.  Now, 2+ months on HRT, breasts are only slightly larger but have better shape and more glandular tissue. 

The muscle thing happened as well....

Everyone is different.  Did you talk with you doctor or get any E or T levels before starting E???

I did get all the blood work done before she prescribed anything, although I'm not an expert in knowing the levels of E & T so I didn't ask for the numbers.

As far as therapy goes I will go eventually, my wife also said she would go too.  I'm not concerned about it since how close we are and things we've been through and how we communicate.  Every person and relationship is different and we know what works for us and how to handle situations and problems when they arise. 





Edited TOS #8 violation.

QuoteAs far as therapy goes I will go eventually, my wife also said she would go too.  I'm not concerned about it since how close we are and things we've been through and how we communicate.  Every person and relationship is different and we know what works for us and how to handle situations and problems when they arise. 

Yeah, that's what I thought, too. Good luck with your situation.

If you Google "normal T levels in females" and "normal E levels in females" you'll find many references to what is "normal".

Well 2 days ago my nipples started to hurt a bit more so I went to the Dr. today (To make sure it wasn't just in my head) and found out that I'm definitely starting breast growth just over a week on the injection.   She seen that the area around the nipple was puffy so while she was pushing on the area the left side had a clear liquid come out while the right had nothing coming out.  I told her about my upcoming beach trip and she said if I don't stop now that I will not be able to walk around without a shirt.  She told me I could wait till after I get back and start the injections again then set up my next appointment for 2 months later.  She did tell me that is not common to have results this fast but she has had a couple patients that it also happened too.  Now the nipples are hurting a bit but for the most part they feel like they are burning.  Only thing good about that is that it is a constant hurt/burn feel so it can be ignored .  Just thought I'd give everyone an update.

Wow, you go girl!

I used gentle massaging to deal with the initial aching...I read somewhere that there is a specific direction to get the most benefit from the massage...placing the center of the palm of a hand over the nipple, apply gentle pressure to the "12 o'clock" point of the puffy area...slowly move the pressure to the center of the chest, down to 6 o'clock, and continue in that direction until you get back to the top. Don't forget to rub the area between the breast and armpit, tissue is down there, too.

You'll note that the left breast is one direction, and the right is the other direction...the reason for this is supposed to be related to stimulating the ducting inside the breast tissue, which is oriented from the top of the breast-->to the center of the chest, etc. This is believed to help things along with development.

So, have fun with this and all of your transitioning!

*hugs*

Well I'm assuming that since you're responding so well to HRT that facially you resemble a female, yes? If so, there's an easy solution: don't go topless.  I mean, and I only speak for myself, that there is always going to be a reason to put off HRT until another day but if you are 100 percent sure that you are trans then I wouldn't stop. I, myself, I'm responding fairly well to HRT but I got lucky and am pretty femme face wise to start. Not saying oooh I'm so pretty but my facial shape is round so all I have to do is get laser and wait for skin texture changes and I won't be able to pass as a man.

Plus my skin is already changing and I don't start full HRT (meaning normal spiro dose) for another week. It seems unbelievable but even my pock marks from acne appear to be shrinking. Well, not appear. They are changing and becoming a lot less noticeable. I never expected it but I'm not going to argue. My face seems a lot more symmetrical because of it. I'm figuring it is because a layer of subcutaneous fat is developing and it is changing the way the scars look and along with pore size shrinkage, it's making me really clear faced. Almost translucent.

I would try not to obsess. I know it's really hard because I've never been so into myself but now all I think about is how I look. I figure it will go away and I'll stop being so self-absorbed once I'm used to it. Though I am sooooo soooo excited that it is working. I had my doubts. But with the face changes and my chest hurting, there is no denying it. And the jeans thatI was wearing just the other day are no really tight. I washed them so they must have shrunk because I doubt my butt could have grown that much in a week. I can't find my tape measure though so I can't be sure. I did have size 34" hips and the jeans are a size 8 petite. I really need that measure.

Quote from: Beth Andrea on April 06, 2013, 06:13:38 PM
This is believed to help things along with development.

Really? I'll have to that but my chest hurts so much I try not to touch it. I'm pretty close to having to wear a bra myself. But I'm not "out" but my boobs are and a bra will push them up even farther. I won't bind them.