Hi, I was wondering what sort of differences in feelings are experienced once you start HRT. Have any of you noticed any changes to your thought processes as well?

Thanks everyone,

Angelia

happiness

OMG the changes I have had and all for the better. First the storm and constant battle in my head cleared up (lack of concentration, inability to multi task, A general fogginess, etc.) and nervousness and tension faded. I am able to fall asleep and get a full 8 hours every night now which before was 2 or 3 hours a night after tossing and turning. I am much more gentle and handle problems totally different because "T" is not making me a madman. I am also not driven by the insatiable male sex drive anymore which drove me nuts. I am just 180 degree's different than before. I used to be angry, irritable, isolated, depressed, etc. Now I am outgoing, friendly, happy and am a much better listener. There is a big debate on the next thing I noticed. I was told by my Endo doctor that "E" can change your sexual preference as well. In my case it has. I never once looked at or fantasize about a man in my life. I lived in a Firehouse most of my career around them all day with no interest, looks or anything else. Now, OMG I want one and yes, that way. 

Quote from: Jessica Merriman on June 25, 2014, 08:52:50 PM
OMG the changes I have had and all for the better. First the storm and constant battle in my head cleared up (lack of concentration, inability to multi task, A general fogginess, etc.) and nervousness and tension faded. I am able to fall asleep and get a full 8 hours every night now which before was 2 or 3 hours a night after tossing and turning. I am much more gentle and handle problems totally different because "T" is not making me a madman. I am also not driven by the insatiable male sex drive anymore which drove me nuts. I am just 180 degree's different than before. I used to be angry, irritable, isolated, depressed, etc. Now I am outgoing, friendly, happy and am a much better listener. There is a big debate on the next thing I noticed. I was told by my Endo doctor that "E" can change your sexual preference as well. In my case it has. I never once looked at or fantasize about a man in my life. I lived in a Firehouse most of my career around them all day with no interest, looks or anything else. Now, OMG I want one and yes, that way. 

I like that "I want one".

Quote from: stephaniec on June 25, 2014, 09:00:44 PM
I like that "I want one".

*giggle* 

Quote from: stephaniec on June 25, 2014, 08:46:33 PM
happiness

Nice

Quote from: Jessica Merriman on June 25, 2014, 08:52:50 PM
OMG the changes I have had and all for the better. First the storm and constant battle in my head cleared up (lack of concentration, inability to multi task, A general fogginess, etc.) and nervousness and tension faded. I am able to fall asleep and get a full 8 hours every night now which before was 2 or 3 hours a night after tossing and turning. I am much more gentle and handle problems totally different because "T" is not making me a madman. I am also not driven by the insatiable male sex drive anymore which drove me nuts. I am just 180 degree's different than before. I used to be angry, irritable, isolated, depressed, etc. Now I am outgoing, friendly, happy and am a much better listener. There is a big debate on the next thing I noticed. I was told by my Endo doctor that "E" can change your sexual preference as well. In my case it has. I never once looked at or fantasize about a man in my life. I lived in a Firehouse most of my career around them all day with no interest, looks or anything else. Now, OMG I want one and yes, that way. 

Wow, those are profound and wonderful changes. Thank you for sharing that.

I volunteered for a department that supplemented it's full time personnel with volunteers and I always felt closer to my sister fire fighters. In fact I'm still very close to them to this day.

I was pretty much the shift cook, uniform fixer and cleaner upper. The funny thing is I heard several times "You are going to make someone a nice wife someday". Little did they know!

I try to keep an open mind but I can't comprehend ever wanting a guy. There is nothing more disgusting than the worm I between our legs and there is nothing more beautiful than a vagina (unless its covered by bush). Also guys piss me off with the way they treat women. I've always been a feminist and its gotten even stronger since I found out. However in not on HRT yet so who knows.

- Calm, happier, things just feel smoother. I feel totally relaxed and like things are easier to do.
- My perspective is a more empathetic one
- My reaction to things has changed
     ~ I'm slightly more squeamish than i use to be
     ~ I have a higher weakness for cute things like kittens or puppies
     ~ I've become a hopeless romantic
- I cry when I'm upset, and letting my emotions go freely is a lot easier than it use to be
- I am more in control of my emotions and i don't feel like im crazy anymore
- I'm less afraid to do things (not just socially but actively)
- I talk more with people
- I'm more confident
- I love much much deeper than I use to
- I am actually able to feel proud of myself
- I actually want to live
- I'm never angry anymore
- Sex is like an ongoing orgasm instead of a means to an orgasm lol

Quote from: awilliams1701 on June 26, 2014, 11:57:54 AM
I try to keep an open mind but I can't comprehend ever wanting a guy. There is nothing more disgusting than the worm I between our legs and there is nothing more beautiful than a vagina (unless its covered by bush). Also guys piss me off with the way they treat women. I've always been a feminist and its gotten even stronger since I found out. However in not on HRT yet so who knows.

Omg I felt EXACTLY like this when i first started HRT, and while I dont hate penis and i am still a feminist ~ I've kind of learned to appreciate men to some degree, and I actually crave their attention now despite being fully attracted to women entirely. I hate how guys treat women too, but there are decent men out there. So maybe that will change for you too.

I know there are decent guys out there, but I can't help but being drawn to the negative.

Since I'm asperger and was pretty much emotionally numb the changes introduced shortly after I started taking estrogens were immense. And I think the people around me are even more surprised from that than I am :-) .

And also other psychological changes. I abandoned most of my previous free-time activities as they served sort of as anti-depressives for me and are not needed for some time. So I'm actually looking for new hobbies (I'm thinking about signing for an individual dance class). I'm no longer immune when there's violence in TV news or when I just read about it. It takes only a few seconds before I feel sick. Or the way how I perceive music. My dreams changed a lot too. From mostly dark colors it went to almost cartoonish colors :-) .

In summary I would describe it as high highs and low lows. Quite a welcome change given that before I didn't feel almost anything.

Still, my analytical/logical part wasn't damaged. I would actually say it's much stronger now as I'm capable of seeing the "big picture" at work much better. So the fact that I sometimes fall asleep (side effect of my blockers) in the office doesn't bother my line manager who sits only like 4 meters from me.

I get scared more easily.  I mean I literally jump at things now.  A loud noise makes me jump out of my seat whereas before it didn't.  I thought this was really interesting and I wonder if it has to do with females in general or just me in particular.  Fun times at the haunted house!

Quote from: Jessica Merriman on June 26, 2014, 11:55:42 AM
I was pretty much the shift cook, uniform fixer and cleaner upper. The funny thing is I heard several times "You are going to make someone a nice wife someday". Little did they know!

Omg I completely relate to these comments from having to work in a all male prison. I get these kinds of jokes all the time from staff and inmates. Well I'll show them! lol

I've only been on Eestro for a few weeks and the biggest thing I've noticed was my annoyance level dropped. I use to feel the front of my forehead tingle all the time from anger and I would be mad over little things. Which I completely hated myself for because thats not me. I caught myself getting mad over petty things like having to do a little extra work and would have to tell myself its no big deal, just do it.  Now things are allot calmer and I feel more like me most of the day now.

I haven't had any brain changes as the others have mentioned. I still like the same things and do the same things. I'm more curious about men. But I'm not actively seeking one. I also feel less inclined to be a smart a** for fun and I now approach things abit more friendly.  Other than that I've had the munchies non-stop since starting full estro. I've broke down and pigged out a couple of days. But I hopped on the scale and I'm magically still losing weight. lol 

Quote from: Kyra553 on June 26, 2014, 12:17:07 PM

  Other than that I've had the munchies non-stop since starting full estro. I've broke down and pigged out a couple of days. But I hopped on the scale and I'm magically still losing weight. lol 

Same thing with me!  Wth is going on?  Not that I'm complaining! 

Quote from: AnnaCannibal on June 26, 2014, 12:35:51 PM
Same thing with me!  Wth is going on?  Not that I'm complaining! 

May I ask when this started happening?! I would love to not have to do psychotic amounts of cardio just to lose 1 pound...

Quote from: LittleEmily24 on June 26, 2014, 12:37:23 PM
May I ask when this started happening?! I would love to not have to do psychotic amounts of cardio just to lose 1 pound...

I'm not sure exactly but it was about a 2 weeks after that I noticed I was losing weight.  Of course I was 6ft tall and 245 lbs to begin with, but its down to 230 now.  But that's the thing, I haven't exercised any more than before and I actually eat a little more now.  I'm starting to think it might have been stress beforehand that kept the weight on.  Stress can do so many bizarre things to our bodies, or so I've been told.

Quote from: LittleEmily24 on June 26, 2014, 12:05:17 PM
- I talk more with people
- I'm more confident

I haven't started HRT but I've experienced this just from finally accepting myself as a woman.

Quote from: LittleEmily24 on June 26, 2014, 12:05:17 PM
- Sex is like an ongoing orgasm instead of a means to an orgasm lol

Oh my god...that sounds absolutely wonderful.

Quote from: Misha on June 26, 2014, 12:11:48 PM
Since I'm asperger and was pretty much emotionally numb the changes introduced shortly after I started taking estrogens were immense. And I think the people around me are even more surprised from that than I am :-) .

And also other psychological changes. I abandoned most of my previous free-time activities as they served sort of as anti-depressives for me and are not needed for some time. So I'm actually looking for new hobbies (I'm thinking about signing for an individual dance class). I'm no longer immune when there's violence in TV news or when I just read about it. It takes only a few seconds before I feel sick. Or the way how I perceive music. My dreams changed a lot too. From mostly dark colors it went to almost cartoonish colors :-) .

In summary I would describe it as high highs and low lows. Quite a welcome change given that before I didn't feel almost anything.

Still, my analytical/logical part wasn't damaged. I would actually say it's much stronger now as I'm capable of seeing the "big picture" at work much better. So the fact that I sometimes fall asleep (side effect of my blockers) in the office doesn't bother my line manager who sits only like 4 meters from me.

I'm an Aspie as well so I can relate a lot to what you're saying. I'm also an HSP (Highly Sensitive Person) so I've always been very emotional. Many times my difficulty with picking up on social queues would lead to emotional moments due to the aftermath. Ugh!

I'm glad to hear your analytical/logical abilities stayed in tact. I'm a programmer so that's going to be important.

So blockers make you tired? Has anyone else experienced this?

Quote from: Jessica Merriman on June 25, 2014, 08:52:50 PM
OMG the changes I have had and all for the better. First the storm and constant battle in my head cleared up (lack of concentration, inability to multi task, A general fogginess, etc.) and nervousness and tension faded. I am able to fall asleep and get a full 8 hours every night now which before was 2 or 3 hours a night after tossing and turning. I am much more gentle and handle problems totally different because "T" is not making me a madman. I am also not driven by the insatiable male sex drive anymore which drove me nuts. I am just 180 degree's different than before. I used to be angry, irritable, isolated, depressed, etc. Now I am outgoing, friendly, happy and am a much better listener. There is a big debate on the next thing I noticed. I was told by my Endo doctor that "E" can change your sexual preference as well. In my case it has. I never once looked at or fantasize about a man in my life. I lived in a Firehouse most of my career around them all day with no interest, looks or anything else. Now, OMG I want one and yes, that way. 

OMG, Jessica!  Were we separated at birth?  I used to have to pass out drunk and/or stoned to sleep at all, and sometimes I couldn't fall asleep untill 4AM even with that.  Then I wouldn't want to get out of bed until afternoon, sleeping or not.

Until a couple of years ago, I had always ID'd as a straight guy because I was (and still am) very much attracted to women and not so much gay guys.  I have plenty of gay friends, and I was never once tempted to experiment with any of them.  I still do not desire anal nor oral with a guy (OK, maybe if I don't have to swallow), and I never really enjoyed being on the receiving end of a BJ (Hmm... wonder why that is?).  I did, however, drunkenly kiss a couple of straight guy friends in college.  Now that I can be completely honest with myself, I am most definitely interested in having heterosexual relations with guys in the future if it involves my vagina.  My wife will have to come along so she doesn't get jealous though. 

Who's up for a three way?

(Note to self, get bigger hot tub...  )