Hey, girls. So I've decided to really commit to feminizing myself, and I'd like advice on lifestyle changes to help accomplish this. Diet advice, cosmetic advice, etc... Basically, anything that can be done to feminize other than HRT and surgery. There are some specific things I'd like to be educated about, and I thought it might be a good idea for a topic, as well.

So, about my specific questions...

What sort of things should I eat to increase estrogen/decrease testosterone? I know the results may be small (if they're noticeable at all), but I figure every little bit helps. Even if a diet like this doesn't feminize my appearance, I'm hoping it'll at least make me feel better. Maybe contribute to that 'quieting the noise' effect that I'm always hearing people talking about that you're supposed to get when you have the right hormone in your system. So far, I've replaced regular milk with soy milk, as suggested in a recent thread, and I also saw someone say not to eat meat, so I haven't eaten any meat today, either. I guess I'm a vegetarian now. Maybe it'll at least help me lose weight.

Oh, speaking of nutrition, I wanted to ask: What's the difference in multivitamins marketed toward men and multivitamins marketed toward women, and should I be taking the women's? I've got a bottle of men's that I've been taking, but I'm not sure if I should switch, or if there's any real difference...

I also put lotion on my face for the first time ever today, as someone also suggested somewhere. The skin looks a lot healthier, so I guess I'll keep doing it.

Oh! And I'm also going to try daily breast massage, since a couple members here have said it made theirs grow. Might as well, right?

Any comments on the things I've brought up, or other suggestions? All are welcome, and thanks!

Just eat healthy but I will say lotion helps gives you smoothe skin and definitely wax your eyebrows

Hi Pikachu ,

I am no expert , but until I started my HRT , I was also thinking about what could I do for feminizing myself . I saw an youtube video from a girl who said that Red Clover helped her before starting HRT , as it also contain phytoestrogens . Soy , kidney beans and other plants  are also well known for containing phytoestrogens . The problem is that I also read that intaking too much phytoestrogens only , may have an opposite effect than the desired one , as it may make your body product more testosterone to balance things .
About meat , I don't know its effect in feminization , but meat is important in maintaining a good health , as many other animal products .
My opinion is that vitamins marketed toward men have the elements dosed in quantities specific for men needs , body specifics , including the average male body mass and specific hormones . But they are also some that are 'really' specific as they contain some substances that may trigger some male hormonal reactions . In 'women' multivitamins , phytoestrogens and women-specific hormonal-balance agents may be present .
But again , many people , including some from the TG community , say that these specific multivitamins / supplements should be left for the cis people ,because they were designed and tested only on them and also because  they may trigger unwanted effects when used in transition  purposes .
Skin and hair care is important and relatively easy to do , with all the products available , but also it is important the body general health and things like a balanced nutrition . The beauty really comes from inside
I didn't massage my breasts too much , I had an instinct to do that before HRT , but now my breasts , although they are not really grown , are very painful , so I can't do it anymore  

My opinion is that there are many things you can do others than HRT or surgery , you may work on voice , mannerism , hair , skin , nails , body shape and I guess the most important is the psychological aspect , getting yourself in real harmony , I don't know about you but I still have to work on that .
Although one of my problems is that I feel fake if I do girl things , i guess it is normal to observe and 'copy' some girl common behavior and style , as most of us didn't grow up like the cis girls . So , things like observing their walk , style , handwrite , and other stuff may be good in the feminization process .

I wish you good luck and a great day 
Claudia 

breast massage works well, there's information on it online, just Google breast massage for growth. 

Eyebrows, feminine earrings and jewelry, paint your nails, and start experimenting with makeup

Eyebrows will make the biggest difference. Take it slow though over a course of weeks- over plucking is painful to undo.

Mascara is a great way to start out too. It's so subtle but really makes your eyes sparkle. Then of course other eye makeup makes a HUGE difference like eyeliner when you are ready. Before FFS I didn't pass at all without eyeliner and I passed nearly flawlessly with it.

Rings, bracelets, earrings, and necklaces are all wonderful wonderful wonderful as well! So many females wear them all almost every day, and rings/bracelets can make your hands look especially feminine.

Shoes... Good lord, shoes.

Long buttoned sweaters with pockets will accentuate the hips and draw in your waist... All while covering arms... Amazing

Boobs! (even if they aren't real)

I just wanted to thank everyone for all the helpful suggestions!

*big warm group hug*

Everyone's suggestions so far are good.  One thing I'd include is wearing feminine sprays or perfumes.  It helps add to a more feminine presentation.  In addition to using facial moisturizer, you can start using more body lotions.  It's a subtle thing, but men tend to have thicker or rougher skin than women.  You could also grow out your hair and style it hot tools and gels. That's probably one of the best things you can do besides hrt or surgery. 

About the multi-vitamins, the biggest difference is usually iron intake.  Make sure any vitamin you take doesn't have too much of that.  Otherwise, they are just a little different and shouldn't be too much.  I still prefer men's vitamins because they tend to have a higer volume of b vitamins which I need as a vegetarian.  Remember, it's just vitamins, so it's not going to really do anything for feminization.

Although you do need iron for hair growth...

I'd second the researching phytoestrogens and putting a diet together that favors it as a way to "nudge" your body in the desired direction (beer has estrogen in it!)

But yeah you aren't going to get real effects until you start hormones' even in low doses. So you probably won't be satisfied without unless you are a "natural". 

I would recommend against the phytoestrogen route.. It actually has an antagonistic effect on full feminization - or at least I have heard and read a few places - I am no expert As I understand it though, plant estrogens kind of clog things up a bit. Then when you get on the real stuff, the efficacy can be impeded. If any of you scientific folk want to correct the heck out of me, please go for it

QuotePlants produce weak phytoestrogens with generally defeminizing influences that have no role to play in the feminization of transsexuals. Plants like the wild yam do not produces significant feminizing estrogens, although they do produce non-estrogenic plant hormones capable of being converted synthetically into estrogens and progestins.

What if I'm likely never to be able to get on any other form of estrogen? Should I still stay away from it?

Quote from: Pikachu on March 13, 2014, 02:58:32 AM
What if I'm likely never to be able to get on any other form of estrogen? Should I still stay away from it?

Can I ask why no HRT?

And yeah I would stay away from the "supplement" stuff. Eating excess hormones is not good for you- your body has built in "defense" systems unless you go directly into the bloodstream with straight up synthesized bioidentical estradiol.. i.e. injections, patches, creams, and pellets. Sublingual, too, but I am personally wishy-washy about that even because it's in the mouth.

Your digestive tract is not where hormones should be- regardless if it's "natural" or even bioidentical. Some day endocrinologists will stop prescribing oral HRT in such high doses... Someday... but that's another topic.