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Does HRT actually work? Having kind of a bad trip here...

Started by Bloombox, October 31, 2014, 02:49:55 PM

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Bloombox

Hey there folks!

The questions I'm about to ask have answers that can be found here, I know that. But I wanted more details about specific parts of the evolution...

I've always felt like a woman, and starting my transition as a 29 years' old gotta be one of the greatest things to ever happen to me. Thing is, I'm really starting to worry that nothing will ever change. I know, I know, crazy, right?
I started taking progesterone pills and applying Estreva gel in mid-september, and I feel like nothing has changed. Nothing. No side-effect, nothing. Well, I'm kind of lying I guess, but I am so excited about the whole thing that the things I feel or see might just come from my imagination. For example, I'm more likely to cry, but I'm currently going through a really hard part of my life, so crying isn't really surprising. I also feel like my eyes have become more "lady-like", I can't really explain... And my body hair seem to grow more slowly... Maybe.

Actually, the only thing that I think is true is about my breasts. They kind of tingled two weeks ago, like I wanted to scratch them but it never eased the itchiness. It lasted for a few days, and now I feel like my nipples are more sensitive. They might be a little bigger but I'm not sure at all.... But they gotta be more sensitive, they harden and wake up every now and then and it is a little pleasurable.I don't know.


I know these things take time and all, but can the itchiness and stuff be the first steps of my breasts growing? What about the hair? I mean, I am not actually sure these things happen... I just don't know what to look for, it really makes me anxious because I freakin' want something to happen, be it a big butt or crying all day long. Anything! Can anybody tell me about the first things that might happen please?

*edit for dosage
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stephaniec

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mynees

Did you do a blood test before starting with any hormone stuff? No, problem, you can do a blood test now, and see where you're at, and two months later do another, to see if there is any difference. Better than doing it on your own, is to have an endocrinologist, or some other type of doctor (like gynecologist, etc), who will know all things that need to be checked, and actually know how to read results. And based on this, they will be able to prescribe you with medications that you need (you dont really need progesterone, before you take estradiol for 2+ years...) and monitor your liver and other important functions that can be affected by taking hormones.
Changes take time, and for those who want a really big boobs overnight, there is a simple silicone solution (which is also much like progesterone a better idea after 2 years of slow development)...

So you have itchiness in breast... You see, something is happening!! Don't worry too much, but rather try to enjoy all this process as much as possible :)
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Jill F

Hi Bloombox, welcome to Susan's Place!

Please feel free to look around and explore. This site is a vast source of information that will help you along the way and a great place to meet new friends.

In the meantime, as a new member, please review the following:


Hugs,
Jill
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AmyL

Changes on hrt are best measured across years, you will be knocking yourself down all the time if you are looking for massive differences every day/week. Just give it time hun, this stuff really works
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Ms Grace

Welcome to the forum!

HRT will take as long as regular puberty so at least two years for the majority of changes to happen. And even then it can't undo some effects of testosterone. Presumably your endo started you off on a moderate dose anyway and will adjust in time as necessary and suitable to ensure the process is safe.

And yes, itchiness is a sign of breast development, but there's a whole lot more going on in the glands than just making the boobs grow, certainly they will not pop up over night, just as they do not for cis girls.
Grace
----------------------------------------------
Transition 1.0 (Julie): HRT 1989-91
Self-denial: 1991-2013
Transition 2.0 (Grace): HRT June 24 2013
Full-time: March 24, 2014 :D
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TSJasmine

Yes, it works! haha Depending on your dosage of hormones & how well your body reacts to the new hormones, will it begin reacting. My body reacted amazingly to the hormones & I didn't even get any breast tenderness until the 2nd month. I remember being just like you though & wanting the hormones to work as quick as possible but it's really a slight thing haha They work & with great effects, but it takes time. It's a bunch of little changes that accumulate over about a 2-5 year time. I've been on hormones for 15 months now & I don't even see myself half complete with the changes. I feel like it's something that will keep continuing for several years. Just be patient & live your life & let the hormones do their course :) Once you feel passable & content the changes will seem to happen quicker because you'll stop gawking in the mirror trying to look for them haha
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Bloombox

So yeah... It's been a mere six weeks, I know. I do see an endocrinologist. I live in France and she's used to take care of transsexuals. I had blood tests (and an extremely low level of testosterone) which were good and she prescribed me this medication. I didn't take them on my own! :)
Then again, I don't know about the usefulness of progesterone or anything. I know how the things work, but she strongly advised me to take them as soon as right now. So... Yeah. Dunno :)

I'm not especially looking for breast growth... I mean I sure am, but I'm looking for any kind of change. I guess I'm a bit like TSJasmine, I don't have any side effect or anything. It's like I'm even doing anything! I'm not so sure about the itchiness, it only lasted for a couple of days or so, but my nipples do seem more sensitive now. I just... Don't know.

I've read so many stories about people having the first results within the first weeks or people having no breast at all 3 years later that I'm kind of anxious about the whole thing :/


Thank you Jill ! Duly noted and read :)
  •  

Alysinspace

Quote from: Bloombox on October 31, 2014, 02:49:55 PM
Hey there folks!

The questions I'm about to ask have answers that can be found here, I know that. But I wanted more details about specific parts of the evolution...

I've always felt like a woman, and starting my transition as a 29 years' old gotta be one of the greatest things to ever happen to me. Thing is, I'm really starting to worry that nothing will ever change. I know, I know, crazy, right?
I started taking progesterone pills and applying Estreva gel in mid-september, and I feel like nothing has changed. Nothing. No side-effect, nothing. Well, I'm kind of lying I guess, but I am so excited about the whole thing that the things I feel or see might just come from my imagination. For example, I'm more likely to cry, but I'm currently going through a really hard part of my life, so crying isn't really surprising. I also feel like my eyes have become more "lady-like", I can't really explain... And my body hair seem to grow more slowly... Maybe.

Actually, the only thing that I think is true is about my breasts. They kind of tingled two weeks ago, like I wanted to scratch them but it never eased the itchiness. It lasted for a few days, and now I feel like my nipples are more sensitive. They might be a little bigger but I'm not sure at all.... But they gotta be more sensitive, they harden and wake up every now and then and it is a little pleasurable.I don't know.


I know these things take time and all, but can the itchiness and stuff be the first steps of my breasts growing? What about the hair? I mean, I am not actually sure these things happen... I just don't know what to look for, it really makes me anxious because I freakin' want something to happen, be it a big butt or crying all day long. Anything! Can anybody tell me about the first things that might happen please?

*edit for dosage

Hey boombox.
HRT works miracles it really does but it does take time for it to work.
I've been on HRT since June of 2014 so about five months for me now.
Probably around the 4 month mark is when I noticed a lot of changes such as
Fat redistribution, HUGE weight loss (I lost 40 lbs), Very emotional (I was watching south park and cried), Boobs are super noticeable sensitivity sometimes becomes unbearable and I protect them with my life if I hit them it hurts like no other!  At times its hard to wear a shirt without a bra anymore bra's are honestly your saving grace from them being mauled to death.
Super soft skin c : less hairy hair grows back so slow on my legs and body only hair i have to worry about is facial really. 
All great things!
Progesterone is good I take it I get a shot once every 3 months
I also take estrodial pills and gel.
Everything will work out c :
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ImagineKate

6 weeks is an awfully short time for anything visible to happen.
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antonia

Time, time and more time, HRT works but but it takes time.

How long does it take for a teenage girl to develop into a woman when she hits puberty, that's the time it will take HRT to work.
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mrs izzy

Bloombox
Welcome to Susan's family.

Puberty in humans takes years.

Yours will happen in its own time.

Do what your endo wants and things will progress.

Not everything you read holds truth, your own process is unique.

Relax and enjoy.
Mrs. Izzy
Trans lifeline US 877-565-8860 CAD 877-330-6366 http://www.translifeline.org/
"Those who matter will never judge, this is my given path to walk in life and you have no right to judge"

I used to be grounded but now I can fly.
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Bloombox

Thank you very much for your answers! But I guess they are actually working, my nipples are nearly always pointing and pretty freakin' sensitive.

But yeah. Puberty. Right, you're all right. I think I tend to think about HRT like some kind of magic potion you see... I'm just scared that nobody happens and, I guess, created a topic for nothing. Hooray! Thank you for putting up with me \o/
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Nati

Quote from: Bloombox on November 03, 2014, 03:36:27 AM
I guess, created a topic for nothing

Nah, you just have doubts and it's totally normal :) It's always better to ask than keep evrything inside you and die from worry about it.
Good luck with yours HRT ! Just give your body some time and evrything will be fine :)

Patience must have young padawan ;)
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V M

Quote from: Bloombox on November 03, 2014, 03:36:27 AM
I guess, created a topic for nothing.

No, you should not feel that way

Asking questions is a good thing, without asking questions no-one would learn anything

It just takes time, and in time I believe you will find yourself pleasantly surprised with your results

In the meantime, participate and share your experiences with others among the many topics available

Tell us more about yourself and the various aspects of life you find interesting and enjoyable

We are all friends, including you  :)

Hugs

V M
The main things to remember in life are Love, Kindness, Understanding and Respect - Always make forward progress

Superficial fanny kissing friends are a dime a dozen, a TRUE FRIEND however is PRICELESS


- V M
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antonia

It's great to have you here and sharing, we are all learning from each other, sharing and helping when and where we can and trust me we are all just as impatient :)

Quote from: Bloombox on November 03, 2014, 03:36:27 AM
Thank you very much for your answers! But I guess they are actually working, my nipples are nearly always pointing and pretty freakin' sensitive.

But yeah. Puberty. Right, you're all right. I think I tend to think about HRT like some kind of magic potion you see... I'm just scared that nobody happens and, I guess, created a topic for nothing. Hooray! Thank you for putting up with me \o/
  •  

Isabelle

Takes time. Long time. I think I'm approaching 4.5 years.. Boobs still changing.
I'm getting osteoperosis. Hrt has damaged my bone density. Permanently.
Its not all flowers and candy floss.   
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Bloombox

YAAAY I FEEL A LITTLE SOMETHING ROUND AND PAINFUL UNDER MY LEFT NIPPLE I mean I think I'm not sure maybe I'm overreacting Oh God what am I doing what have I turned into...



More seriously, something strange and unpleasant is happening to my penis right. I don't like that sausage, I want to get rid of it, but I have to put up with it for the time being... And the thing is, it's drying out. The head is. Nearly no erections but for sex, so that's cool, except that it's nearly unusable : the tip is dry like crazy. I even have a hard time pulling down the skin to clean it. And yes, it is a little painful. I can't reach orgasm either.

I'm taking Estreva (gel) et Progesterone. The latest doesn't seem to be the culprit : I ran out a week ago and had to do without them for a week, and nothing changed. So... Yeah. Any solution? Is it normal? Thank you :)




No Dosages Please
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Sammy

6 weeks on HRT is literally nothing. Even 6 months are nothing (I remember myself at 6 months landmark thinking otherwise but...). I cant really say that 18 months are much, but things are happening all along and I am still expecting some changes for the next year or two.
So, calm down and stop worrying :).
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katrinaw

Yes HRT works  :-*

Now... it works at different rates and ways depending on you / your endocrine system... after 11 years, womanly figure (well very close too) reasonable breasts (well only 34B... but happy as) great skin feeling and condition, no more body hair (wish I could say same about face, although reduced), diminishing hair on limbs etc... So, sooo happy with results. However, has taken 9 to 11 years to appreciate the changes... worth waiting for... but I am very mature  :-X

Good luck... welcome to the forum too  :)

Love Katy
Long term MTF in transition... HRT since ~ 2003...
Journey recommenced Sept 2015  :eusa_clap:... planning FT 2016  :eusa_pray:

Randomly changing 'Katy PIC's'

Live life, embrace life and love life xxx
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