I am 56. I am just 5 weeks in, on E in a pure form (estradiol valerate) and P in a pure form (micronized progesterone). I have spiro at my house, but I have not taken any spiro yet and I don't want until and unless it becomes absolutely necessary.
I have what I consider to be spectacular results so far.
My nipples are protruding and very large and always erect. I have many white bumps all over my nipple and areola areas. My nipples appear ready for a baby to nurse on them. I am happier than happy!!!

My breasts are for sure more round and feminine now. I don't think they are a lot bigger yet, but yes a little bit, and my 6 year old daugher, for the first time ever, was staring at my breasts at the pool today, so SHE certainly notices the difference.
When I have a shirt on and it is medium tight against my chest area, my nipples are rather obvious now, poking through my shirt.
My former body odor problem totally disappeared within 3 weeks on hormones.
My facial acnes has almost totally disappeared.
My hair is now growing longer a bit, again...remember I am 56, and I have a little gray...but now my hair on my head is of higher quality, and softer. The difference is astrounding to me.
MOST important, I am stunned at the significant psychological changes.
I have almost constant happiness. I seem to be able to handle even major work problems and personal relationship issues with a much more INTUITIVE FEEL and I am absolutely stunned at how great this is.
So, can high-quality, medical grade female hormones work starting at age 56?
I think my answer is super obvious.
This is so wonderful, and stupendous, and amazing, to bring all this into reality.
Wow do I feel right. My life as a male has been reasonable up to now, but this is super more amazing and I am stunned at the great psychological effects...
It is one thing to "understand there will be emotional and psychological effects from these powerful hormones", going in,,.
But wowowowowow I never could have imagined these FEELINGS....
Calmness, I feel RIGHT...
I know I am repeating myself, but I feel like I want to shout out to the world, my happiness.
I have suppressed my female side for far too long. Letting Johanna emerge is like a new person is being born, in many respects.
I may have to "come out" at work sometime in near future, especially if I get significantly more breast development.
I feel like I want to take progesterone forever.
I have already "come out" to my 6 year old daughter, my genetic girlfriend, and 2 other female friends. I haven't "come out" to any male friends yet (genetic males that is), in the real world. And, I have "come out" to you great gals here.
Never again do I want to fail to have my toenails polished bright red. I just don't feel right now, unless my toenails are always polished bright red.
I have come out at the beach with bright red toenails and deep purple polished fingernails while dressed in a male bathing suit, and the stunned looks I get from strangers are very amusing for both me and my genetic girlfriend. It makes us both laugh.
My genetic girlfriend has painted my nails already.
I have changed colors of my nails by letting my 6 year old daughter paint my nails. We sure have fun together doing this, because then she paints her nails, too. This just seems so RIGHT and natural to me now.
I haven't "come out" yet at the pool at my apartment complex where I live, so I use diver's boots to cover my toenails. I have gotten some strange questions such as "why do you always come to the pool with divers boots?" I find this questions rather amusing. My 6 year old daughter gets a kick out of people asking me this question, because she knows all about the "secret" of my bright red toenails.
I don't know how much longer I will be able to go the pool without a shirt on, without "coming out."
All the best (and breast!).
Johanna