Im now 5 months on hrt and im barely seeing any results other than some slight breast growth, extreme nipple sensitivity and some swelling, some atrophy, and very minor fat redistribution. Maybe i need to up my dosage?

I was in a very similar situation as you, nothing really substantial happened for me till about right after the 6 month mark.

PATIENCE, young ones.

I know it's more or less useless to say this, because when you're in a place where you're desperate for feminizing changes, desperate for your appearance to become feminine enough so that you can just be done with transition and go and live your life, saying "be patient, it gets better" means nothing because you want it NOW.

But don't worry. Almost EVERYONE hits this 5-month brick wall where the excitement from the initial changes has worn off, and you feel like absolutely NOTHING is changing.

Trust me. I went through it too. But things are indeed changing. Give it time.

This is NOT a quick process. I waited past the 6 month mark. I waited past the 1-year mark. I didn't even get my first female gendering until right at that one-year mark. After that, it took me until the 16-month mark on hormones before I was finally getting gendered female enough to go full-time with any degree of hope that I was passable enough. I still wasn't. I still looked mannish. For another 6 months after that I was still battling against an appearance that was still mannish, that was still getting me stared at by random people on the streets because they couldn't tell what gender I was. It took until almost the 2-year mark on hormones before I FINALLY started seeing a girl in the mirror consistently, and finally reached the point of self-confidence where I knew I was passable enough to just live my life without worrying about being clocked.

It takes time. For some of us, it takes a VERY long time. But have faith. It really is a marathon, and now at the end, I can tell you that it really is worth being patient and just letting it happen. And this is coming from someone who was fired from two jobs due to gender dysphoria, and went through several horrible depressive spells of "I've ruined my life, and for WHAT? I'm still not a girl and I never will be." It's all worth it in the end. Just be patient, let the hormones do their thing, and soon enough you'll look back and wonder what you were ever worried about.

Quote from: Carrie Liz on March 16, 2015, 11:58:01 AM
went through several horrible depressive spells of "I've ruined my life, and for WHAT? I'm still not a girl and I never will be."

I actually just went through this myself. Was such a horrible experience for me as I've had no issues throughout my transition. Just finally getting over the whole thing and i feel so lucky and grateful to have a workplace that is so accepting and caring.

Thanks for all the replies. Im sorry you lost your jobs. Quite frankly i dont know how mine will react. I work as an aerospace painter in a big plant. Not the best job, but im gonna keep it til i cant. I suppose i should be happy things are progressing slowly, as i lack funds for electrolysis atm. i just thought id be a little further along. Im still happy w the changes that are happening and my SO is content, so i cant complain

On a more positive note, me and my so went to a big party yesterday and a friend of hers started playing with my hair and commented how soft and smooth it was. She then kept playing with it. I think she was trying to turn me on.... it did not have the desired effect. Though i did appreciate the compliment.

The 5 to 6 month mark is the usual time things kick up. Takes a while to lower the "T", raise the "E" while at starting lower doses. You will get there. I am on high dose and BOOM! New things every day now.

Take comfort in the fact that at least you aren't getting any more masculine. I'd kill to be started but I'm on a 7 month waiting list just for my first therapy appointment.

Jessica, im going back for bloodwork in 2 weeks, but if i had to guess id say my T is at negligible levels. My body hair growth is very slow and ahem... im pretty dead below the waist, and in the head as far as that department. Really cars? 7 month wait? Wheres that? It took me a month for my first appointment and 2 weeks for the second, which was the start of hrt.

Oh yes, patience, patience, patience. Have any of you seen Transparent where the transwoman takes an estrogen pill and within like two hours thinks she's feeling it do something? I nearly rolled on the floor with that because I have seen it hundreds of times.

I had zero changes to my body before I had GRS. I was on hormones for 22 months at that point. I was so discouraged that I had BA before GRS. That was a big mistake because I went from a perfect size where I could wear really cute bras to something that requires steel cables and girders. Seriously, it isn't that bad. But I did grow nearly as much as the silicon (or was it saline? I can't even remember)  they put in me and I wish I hadn't done that procedure.

It is important to understand that the hormones will react differently with everyone. I wanted those darling marbles on my breasts. I didn't get them. I mean, I've seen other women like me but... well I wanted marbles.

If it were a perfect world, we would have been born with all the correct body parts. Don't we all wish...

Chin up!
Cindi

Quote from: Jessica Merriman on March 16, 2015, 04:30:44 PM
The 5 to 6 month mark is the usual time things kick up. Takes a while to lower the "T", raise the "E" while at starting lower doses. You will get there. I am on high dose and BOOM! New things every day now.

I too am at the 5 month mark and seeing just about the same changes in regards to the OP.

Good to know im not alone. When the time comes, i prob will need a boob job. Im very broad in the shoulders, always have been. My nickname on the hs football team was tank. Im currently about 215, and cant really see myself as ever being less than 170 due to my frame, so im gonna need some knockers to change my shape.

Patience!

Remember, when a teenager it takes years for your body to change, so you should expect the same thing now.  It takes a LOT of time.  It sounds like your progress is right on track.  Also each persons body is different.  If you have concerns talk with your Dr.

Im going to. Im overdue for that bloodwork anyway.

Just had that bloodwork taken. Doc says things are going good, though she upped my estrogen. She also commented that i could lose a few pounds, but im definately growing boobs. My hair is also MUCH softer.

Glad to hear everything is going well.
Mariah

Quote from: becoming gianna on April 01, 2015, 08:07:56 PM
Just had that bloodwork taken. Doc says things are going good, though she upped my estrogen. She also commented that i could lose a few pounds, but im definately growing boobs. My hair is also MUCH softer.

Just remember hormones are only one part of it. How you carry and present yourself can do a lot to change how people see you.Appearance wise, simple things like hair and simple makeup, eyebrows, even moisturizing your face and the types of clothes you wear. I've experimented with a lot of things and I find some things will get me clocked and some will make me pass like no tomorrow. And I'm only 4 months on HRT.

Im at 6 mos myself now, and honestly, im happy to take it slow. The doc hasnt seen me in months, and shes the one that mentioned my losing muscle mass and my growing chest. Im going to continue presenting as male for long as i can. I have supportive friends, wife, and im happy.

Don't expect overnight results,they're gradual.Think how long puberty takes

Quote from: becoming gianna on April 01, 2015, 09:20:15 PM
Im at 6 mos myself now, and honestly, im happy to take it slow. The doc hasnt seen me in months, and shes the one that mentioned my losing muscle mass and my growing chest. Im going to continue presenting as male for long as i can. I have supportive friends, wife, and im happy.

I dunno. I am just the opposite. I couldn't wait to present female and be gendered correctly. It helped alleviate my dysphoria tons and it is helping me find my own identity and style so when I do go full time I am better prepared. It also helps me deal with being clocked which will happen. No escaping, it just does.