This is a bit strange and I was thinking it was my imagination until today when I was trying on some workout clothes.

About four weeks ago, I forced myself to really look at what I've been suppressing for years and I admitted to myself that I live with severe gender dysphoria and I'm sure it wasn't all that different from most of you here.  Since then, I haven't said anything about it to my wife yet she's been looking at me a bit different (not in a bad way) and I've been feeling different.

In the mirror, my features have seemed softer and, today I can't deny it, my hips seem to be getting wider.  I've been losing muscles in my arms and my libido has dissipated (leading to an embarrassing first-time-ever flaccid experience with my wife).  I've also noticed that, even though I've lost a few pounds, my chest area has been getting a bit of meat to them and not the pectorals I'm used to but... kinda fatty. 

Now, here's my weird question and my google-fu is failing me here for getting the answer: is it possible to start a psychosomatic production of sex hormones?  Is it possible for your body to finally produce what is more in-line with your brain once you "give it permission" to?  Like I said, I've been writing it off as a romantic anecdotal tale I'm telling myself but it's getting sort of obvious. 

If that's what's happening, what does that mean?  If it's not possible, what other reasons would this be happening?  Am I just crazy?

Just psychosomatic although the mind does have incredible abilities. If you are not on HRT yet you should probably see your medical provider. The symptoms you list can have many causes.

Quote from: Jessica Merriman on January 15, 2015, 04:27:35 PM
Just psychosomatic although the mind does have incredible abilities. If you are not on HRT yet you should probably see your medical provider. The symptoms you list can have many causes.

But if it's psychosomatic, that would mean my body really is behaving/producing differently.  Are you saying that's possible?

If you are not on HRT and have no issue's such as an intersex condition, NO, your body will not spontaneously change gender. The only sure way to verify if changes are occurring is to do a complete set of body measurements and chart any changes. If we could spontaneously change gender none of us would be spending what we do to have them happen.

As we age, the dominant sex hormone decreases and it's counterpart increases.

In other words, after the age of 50 or so, men and women become more alike.  In a natal man, as testosterone decreases, there is often a corresponding increase in estrogen.  Likewise in a natal woman estrogen increases and testosterone comes to the fore.

Boys and girls, men and women, begin and end life very much like each other.  The differentiation is most evident at age 25 or so.

Quote from: Abysha on January 15, 2015, 04:16:02 PM
If it's not possible, what other reasons would this be happening?  Am I just crazy?

Quote from: Randi on January 15, 2015, 04:39:14 PM
As we age, the dominant sex hormone decreases and it's counterpart increases.

In other words, after the age of 50 or so, men and women become more alike.  In a natal man, as testosterone decreases, there is often a corresponding increase in estrogen.  Likewise in a natal woman estrogen increases and testosterone comes to the fore.

Boys and girls, men and women, begin and end life very much like each other.  The differentiation is most evident at age 25 or so.

That's what I would chalk it up to if it weren't so abrupt.  Like, it seems as if the late-in-life hormonal transition that naturally occurs just started all at once (I'm 35) and right after I resigned myself to confronting what's been going on with myself.

I mean, if it's coincidence, it's a positive one.  Heck, maybe I was born intersex and my folks just never told me.  Jessica brought that up and now I'm really wondering, hah!

Quote from: Jessica Merriman on January 15, 2015, 04:34:17 PM
If you are not on HRT and have no issue's such as an intersex condition, NO, your body will not spontaneously change gender. The only sure way to verify if changes are occurring is to do a complete set of body measurements and chart any changes. If we could spontaneously change gender none of us would be spending what we do to have them happen.

That's what I'm thinking.  Maybe I'm just crazy.  If it gets to the point where my wife actually says something direct about it, I'll know for sure.  I'll let you all know, if that's the case. 

I've thought something similar myself, but I think I'm just seeing the woman that's hidden behind the beard. Not that anyone else can see it lol


Wherever you go, then there you are

Self acceptance of being transgender had dramatic impacts on my self perception, presentation, mannerisms and more.  Literally giving up the man act and the associated stress of trying to man up in countless ways was an unrecognized weight until it lifted from my shoulders.  I came out and went full time months before hormones and people definitely noticed the changes.  I didn't worry about measurements and still don't.  I feel so very different and so much better than before that i think we may under estimate the power of that positive thinking.

Feeling genuinely good and right is living well no matter the size.

I am not a fan of Doctors , but if you hormones seem to be changing on their own, seeing a Doctor is probably a good idea. Many things can cause hormone imbalance, for instance in my case Lymes disease is causing some sort of endocrine disruption. I did notice however that when I accepted that I am also Trans* and was at peace with the changes, the are now happening faster. Others noticed it in me too. Also I probably have a Intersex condition (need testing still) as I have always had female body/pubic hair patterns and slight breast development as a teen and female bone structures on some parts, so that could account for the quick changes I have been seeing...

Good luck,

Love,
Jade

Since we are our own worse critics. When feeling down about ourselves, reveling in picking out every microscopic flaw that no typical human can see, I see no reason to not to think that as soon as you want to feel better, or actually do feel better, about yourself, suddenly you become far less judgmental