So, I know there are threads about muscle atrophy and fat redistribution...

But I'm wondering about the leg muscles, in particular the lower part, below the femur.

As guy muscles are, the calves are designed to get big maybe from the kneecap to about 5/8 the way down the leg, to a skinny ankle. Comparing that to women's lower legs, theirs seems to start at about the same spot, but goes further down to closer to the ankle and so it has a different shape.   Do the 'mones eventually change the shape of the leg muscle so that you have a more feminine looking leg? Does that area fill in with fat?

In the long run with HRT the Gastrocnemius (the bulky surface muscle at the top, back of your lower leg should atrophy a little bit and I would think you would get a tiny bit of fat on your legs but I'm thinking that it would be an even layer over that whole area so your best bet would be to let the hormones do their work and endurance aerobic stuff like distance running. I had a few friends that were swimmers I knew in highschool who, due to swimming, were super bulky in their shoulders and calves. Once they started running cross country and stopped swimming their entire body slimmed waaaay down even their legs and shoulders. I was pretty surprised by how much they shrank

Uhm, after a bit more than a year of suppressed testosterone and just a tiny bit of added estradiol, my calves have improved in appearance. They don't bulge as much in the upper area. I can only hope a decent dose of estradiol will finish the work and make it all more even-looking. Of coruse I wish the whole muscle would shrink, but looking at my mother, it doesn't sound likely. So just a better shape will do.

im so sad...ive been on hrt for more than a month now and im scared im never going to pass because i have big calves, will it be smaller because of hormones?

Na effects of HRT ar completely subjective, "yer mileage mae vary". Keep in mind that it can take a decade for HRT to finnish its amazing work, it's not a 3 year thing, an as far as I am concerned "Transition" Begins post op. Think yer all set cause ye completed this phase? HA! Now lets learn new rules an begin transition all over again. Life Trans or Cis is a never ending evolution.  Being both emotionally an physically anorexic M not na best example of body fat redistribution nor of na atrophy as happens. I am in a constant battle to keep myself above na malnutrition line, an mi muscles an  body fat ar always in jeopardy. However having such a low Body Mass Index after 13 months I can see what body fat I do have has already lined up. For mi it will bi less a process of redistribution, mor just slap it on where it should go. I would think that in folks with a normal BMI or an excessive one this process would seem to take forever, perhaps it has bigun an ye havnt been able to notice? Idk, just some thoughts from one with a weight problem at na low end na spectrum. Either way, best of luck to you all in your quest for congruence.

Hello Chloe,

First of all, it's still early days for you. 1 month on HRT is barely enough time to make significant impact on your body. It takes years, work out and discipline to at least get into an acceptable shape.

This is a journey and not a race

However, if you feel you need to flaunt them gams then go for it. Who cares, it's yours and you should love them xo

April

Quote from: chloe1616 on April 20, 2016, 02:49:48 AM
im so sad...ive been on hrt for more than a month now and im scared im never going to pass because i have big calves, will it be smaller because of hormones?

Quote from: chloe1616 on April 20, 2016, 02:49:48 AM
im so sad...ive been on hrt for more than a month now and im scared im never going to pass because i have big calves, will it be smaller because of hormones?

Chloe,

Welcome to the site.

Everybody reacts in their own way to HRT. No one can absolutely tell you what will happen nor at what time.

Working out is an important part of trying to knock down on weight. It just depends on how you do it. So among HRT and exercise, diet is important too. I too have naturally big calves and thighs. It is natural to most of the women in my family.  I am familiar with this woe.

I am sharing some links with you as a new member. It has good information and the rules of the site. Please give them a read when you can:

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Welcome to Susan's. I hope you find what you are looking for here.

With warmth,

Joanna

People tell me that my legs are one of my best features.  I've been on HRT for 13 1/2 months and I've noticed some change in them.  It takes time.

My calves have shrunk an inch and my thighs two inches but I think that's more due to diet and exercise leading to a 45 lb weight loss to a BMI of 22 than it is to HRT alone. 


Sapere Aude