Hi Islandgirl;
Low dosage HRT is designed to quell the dysphoria, but only feminize you in slow changes, but it also depends a great deal on your bodies ability to process the changes. When I started to transition again (for the second time-read my other posts to get an idea), my Doctor took initial blood tests and I was found to have a very low amount of Testosterone. My initial count was 5.6. Males generally range from 5.0 to 200 obviously dependent on age. CIS females T levels are from 0.00 to 2.50. Yes women have a level of T as well. Well my doctor decided to only put me on Oestrogen (no AA) and initially on a very low dose. )I cannot disclose the numbers. Anyway after the initial dosage and 3 months, he doubled it, then doubled it again. After about 12 months I had got some small amount of feminisation. I had AA Cup breasts , but the most noticeable thing was that my face was fuller, rounder, less angular and cheeks were fuller. Overall my body Skin became more translucent and softer. A lot of women started commenting on how young I looked and how good my complexion was. Initially the Oestrogen only kept the dysphoria at bay. My libido dropped dramatically, my nipples became constantly erect and my aureola doubled in size and basically I lost interest in most things sexual, but as the body got used to the Oestrogen, I had a resurgence of my libido and a breakout of my dysphoria. At that stage, my doctor doubled the dose again (well increasing it by half rather than doubling it). Then I was back to normal, but the feminisation increased at a steadier increased pace. By then about 18 months my T levels had dropped to about 3.5. Again a lot of changes, some subtle and others more noticeable now with the nipples always obvious under shirts and T shirts and my breats jiggling all the time (Yes I now wear a bra all the time (pushups when out for the night), a soft cotton one when in general mode) By then I had small B Cups (well one breast at B and one at A+), , but again I had a breakout of dysphoria, so about 2 months ago my Doctor increased my dosage again such that I am now on 8 times what I started with (which was very low indeed). Changes in the last 2 months are becoming more dramatic. I am now from B cups heading for small C. I have added 2.5" to my bottom and hips with my bottom cheeks now quite plump. My lips are fuller (lipstick looks great) and my T level has dropped to 2.5 within female range and my Doctor says that hormonally now I am female. Also my waist is emerging. Combined with my gym routine, I have lost some more weight - now down to 112KG (I was 126), but a long way to get to my ideal weight of 86kg. The dysphoria has gone, I hope for good and actually the urgency to transition has slowed but interestingly I am getting a lot of comments about how graceful I have become and how good I look and how soft my overall skin has become. Laser treatment on my face, underarms and legs is also becoming easier and hair re-growth slowing dramatically. Its almost like the male fog has been lifted. I am also a much calmer person, although I have lost a lot of drive and energy (although the gym work on my tummy and hips work is helping get over the energy issues). However I am now at a stage when I am going to have a think about wearing a one piece female bathing suit for my weekly swimming sessions as my boobs and soft skin are becoming a little too obvious to be seen in a pair of budgie smugglers.
My doctor is aiming to get my T levels to between 1.0 to 1.5 which he believes will be ideal to get the maximum feminisation for my age. My only regret is that he will nor prescribe Progesterone as he doesn't believe it adds to anything for me, although talking to another doctor in the UK and a surgeon that I have consulted about a possible breast augmentation, they feel that Progesterone will have the effect of giving my breasts a more rounder and female definition and in effect mean that I will not need Breast Augmentation. My ideal cup size is D or DD. So we will have to see.
The most important thing is enjoy the ride, but remember changes will take time.
Judith
