I know as well as had it confirmed by others my personality has changed since my sort of transition. I think a lot of it comes from me stopping myself from thinking and acting within very narrow and rigidly define lines of behavior that I said was "Guy". I was shy, introverted, the only emotion allowed was basically anger. The not talking was partly due to being a stutterer, the remainder being me. Except when it was allowed, when I needed to be in "Salesmen Mode" as I called it. I know now I wasn't channeling my inner salesmen, I was simply letting Joanne out.

My personality has changed remarkably since I came out, but it is the HRT that made the changes possible. I feel (and my female relatives confirm) that I am much more patient and tolerant and show much more empathy and less anger. The social phobia that has crippled me since puberty is gone. I spend much more time and effort on my appearance despite caring less about what other people think of it. I knew all along that this is how I saw myself, but I felt unable to express that with a 30:1 ratio of testosterone to estradiol. Correcting my hormone levels has let out the woman I saw inside of me, and I am optimistic that my upcoming increase will stop her from constantly slipping behind the curtains.