1. How long have you been on low dose and reasons for choosing low dose.

Low dose (mtf) since a month ago. I always look and feel andro. When I hit 30 yo 3 months ago, I got scared when I am gaining more fat on the hips/butt/thighs/armpit without losing weight, losing leg hair, body odor change, regaining baby hair on receded hairline. Turns out it is just hormone imbalance as I ages just that its is more in my case, so I researched more into it and talked to a psyc and decided to want to bring out my feminity in me bit by bit while still living as a male so began low dose hrt.

2. Describe to what extent low dose has helped with dysphoria.

I identify myself as an asexual androgyny and also do not understand the point of dating and relationship, and I love myself more being as feminine looking as I can.

3. Changes with low dose.

Mentally similar as the rest.
Physically, I am already at 5"9, 112 lbs, and 25 inch waist before HRT and with my natural hormone imbalance, muscle atrophy began almost immediately from day 2 and more rapidly than others. Face got more feminine looking than I thought considered I am only 1 month in.
I am growing my hair out and it seems softer as I usually cut my hair when my sides got thick and long which was ugly in the past turns out to be better looking with my face now. Will grow it out longer and see. 

4. If changed to transitioning dose, explain reasons for change as well as length on low dose before change in dose.

No plan to change to full dose, as it is also not widely accepted in my first-world Asian country.
I like to look tomboyish and not interested in women's wear like a dress and heavy makeup. At most I just wear women's jeans, tshirts, office shirts and little eye make-up.

5. Other thoughts.

Many mtf thought they are mtf and feels the need to transition but androgyny is the word they are looking for. Can't hurt to research the word and start on low dose first.

Hi!

1. How long have you been on low dose and reasons for choosing low dose.

I'm on a low dose of Progynova for 2 months now. I've choose a low dosage of E without any AA because of my family and my work.

3. Changes with low dose.

My breast between T2 and T3 stage and I lost almost all hair on my legs (after 3 times of epilation it's not growing at all).

5. Other thoughts.

I think it's very fast for LD? Will the change to 1/2 of dose slow down the progress significantly? I like all these changes but I want to do it a little more smoothly.

Hi Helen 

Welcome to Susan's    Glad to have you here, join on in the fun

Here's a few quick links to help you along

Please be sure to review

Site Terms of Service & Rules to Live By	Standard Terms & Definitions	Post Ranks (including when you can upload an avatar)
Reputation rules	News posting & quoting guidelines	Photo, avatars, & signature images policy

Hugs

V M

I recently upped my estradiol dose after 1 year and 9 months on a lower HRT dose. This is a significant jump in dose. The initial calmness I experienced when I started the low dose had worn off, and dysphoria has been difficult to manage lately. It even built up to the point where I have experienced stomach cramping that my doctor attributed to IBS brought on by stress. The doctor wants to see how the the HRT will help with the stress, along with other minor treatments to help with the cramping, before exploring deeper into this problem. It was clear that something needed to change, and the logical next step was to increase the dose to see if it brings back the calmness.

I do not have plans to transition socially any time soon because I want to cause the least disruption for my family. It may be difficult to hold off because the dose is quite a bit higher now and feminization was difficult to hide under the lower dose. Also, I do not know if I can manage the dysphoria. Everything will be okay in the long run. My family knows about me and supports me. I also have a caring wife who understands.

First, figure out what you want right now for yourself, follow your heart. Express your concerns to your doctor, talk with someone. Bio-identical progesterone can also help with relieving anxiety. Stress can be brought about when one acts in opposition to what they really want to do. Maybe you are moving too quickly, not quickly enough. Figure it out by talking with people you trust and who can understand.

It is time for an update. I wanted to give an honest take on my HRT effects. As a science nut, I have been taking measurements as well as noting changes in mood and appearance. I was careful to look out for any placebo effects or confirmation biases. As always, YMMV. Your experience and interpretations may be different.

History - I had a difficult time with dysphoria 2.5 years ago. This was associated with losing weight and extensive work outs. This occurred once before in my life seven years earlier. There was anxiety, lack of sleep, chest tightness, and headaches. My life was going out of control, and I needed to address the dysphoria which lead to therapy and eventually HRT. For me, it made sense that the heavy work outs created a testosterone surge that exacerbated dysphoria, so HRT should correct this. Low dose for 1.75 years and a higher dose for the last three months. I present as male although I am taking small steps in changing my appearance.

The Numbers - Most recent estradiol levels 319 pg/ml. Testosterone and free testosterone 24 ng/dl and 3 pg/ml, respectively. In very good shape with all other labs. Since  the start of HRT, I have lost weight from 180 to 158 lbs (205 lbs before big melt down). Most significant changes was 4.5" reduction around the waist, 2" inches in the hips, then an inch or less for arms, thighs, calves, and neck. Difficult to tell how much is due to HRT, activity, or diet. Bust gained 2.5-3 inches. Interesting in that all of these changes occurred under low dose. Very little change in weight or measurements under the higher dose which is surprising to me. Still early. From the TMI department, one noticeable change is semen volume decreased dramatically from low dose to the higher dose.

Initial Feeling of Calm - I have read in many cases there was an initial feeling of calm. I feel that this was attributed to adjusting the estradiol. I say this because this light headedness (i.e., feeling calm) occurred after the initial dose and after the increased dose but then wore off as my body adjusted to the dose. In my experience, the initial feeling of calm was simply a side effect of the estradiol and not a change in internal chemistry.

HRT on Mood - It is difficult to tell if HRT has improved my mental health simply because of the ups and downs associated with being trans. I can say with certainty that trans-related social issues have a much greater influence on the increase or decrease in dysphoria compared to HRT (again your experience may be different). HRT doses has remained steady for a long time, but moods cycle up and down frequently. No noticeable effect with the increase in dose. HRT has some noticeable effects as I do cry more and can get very cranky. It is quite embarrassing how cranky I can get when I feel I need more attention from my wife. Always in need of cuddling.

Appearance - I always thought I was fairly andro prior to the HRT. Relatively thin frame, no distinct facial features, very little facial and body hair, so I am a little disappointed that others have not said much about the HRT changes. I have received comments about being too thin or been asked if I am losing weight. I have also received comments about looking very young for my age. One hostess at a restaurant choked in surprise when I told her how old my children were (and then my age). One work colleague that I recently met at a conference pulled me aside to tell me that I looked 15 years younger than my age. That is great if I wanted to look like a younger man, but that is not what I am aiming for. There was possibly two misgenderings where I thought I was ma'amed by strangers. Hair is still relatively short. I will be growing my hair out and starting laser soon, so another update is due.

Quote from: Stochastic on April 22, 2016, 10:55:30 PM
It is time for an update. I wanted to give an honest take on my HRT effects. As a science nut, I have been taking measurements as well as noting changes in mood and appearance. I was careful to look out for any placebo effects or confirmation biases. As always, YMMV. Your experience and interpretations may be different.

Thank you Stochastic for your update. In my turn I'll give some news of my experience with low dose HRT.

1. How long have you been on low dose and reasons for choosing low dose.

I have been on low dose œstradiol for nearly 8 months (vivelledot, prescribed by endocrinologist). My dosage was increased almost 3 months ago. I have also been taking low dose dutasteride (avodart, prescribed by urologist) but I stopped taking it 1 month ago.
Initially I didn't envisage going to transition. That's the main reason why I chose to go with low dose.
I just hoped that low dose HRT would stabilize my mind and calm dysphoria. I also was hoping that it would stop BPH.

2. Describe to what extent low dose has helped with dysphoria.

It has helped a lot, especially during the 2 or 3 first months. At present the mental effects are less obvious, perhaps because I am now used to the feeling of being a woman (at least inwardly).

3. Changes with low dose.

Breast/nipples enlargement and soreness.
At the beginning I slept noticeably better than before HRT. But after a few weeks I started anew having a rather restless sleep.
Also initially my skin got a lot smoother, but now it has become dryer and dryer. For that reason I plan asking progesterone to my endo at next appointment.

4. If changed to transitioning dose, explain reasons for change as well as length on low dose before change in dose.

My dosage was doubled less than 3 months ago. The main reason was that my overall steroid hormone level was too low: testosterone at bottom of men range and œstradiol just above top of men range. Also I wanted to accelerate lowering of testosterone in view of inhibiting BPH.
I had my last blood tests a few days ago: testosterone =0.6 ng/ml, œstradiol =  171 pg/ml. Testosterone is still too high, at least as regards BPH. I have an appointment with my endo next week. She probably will prescribe a new increase of œstradiol dosage. I'll ask for progesterone, mainly for better sleep and curing skin dryness. I also would be glad that my breasts be fuller and rounder, though I'm in hope that they will not get too large which I wouldn't want.

5. Other thoughts.

I feel that I am now engaged in a stealth transition. I don't know where it will take me, but at the moment I am pretty satisfied of what has happened so far to my body and to my mind.

1. How long have you been on low dose and reasons for choosing low dose.

Estradiol valerate 'normal' for 4 mo. but I have been skipping AA due to my strong perception that things were progressing faster than expected (mostly good except not wanting to completely sandbag my ability to perform sexually) so low dose in that no AA and switching to ½ normal dose because my -- just tested -- E is above normal for cis female and T normal for females.

2. Describe to what extent low dose has helped with dysphoria.

Perhaps I don't qualify as low dose as my indicated dose for normal results will be ½ or probably less. IAC it's helped amazingly. I've been (over?) compensating for decades without hrt and maybe I will come to feel more 'normal'

3. Changes with low dose.

At 'normal' I have gained a cup size in < 2 months, that's slowed a bit but clearly not stopped. Breasts and nipples still always sore/sensitive. I work in glass blowing and have found my skin is far more sensitive to radiant heat than before.

Emotional landscape has indeed changed. Sexuality is more impacted than I'd expected or wanted but dealing. Can still orgasm, now produce the tiniest ejaculation I could imagine.

4. If changed to transitioning dose, explain reasons for change as well as length on low dose before change in dose.

Ref above, I think 'low' by normal measure is 'normal' for me. I expect transition to continue at the ½ dose.

5. Other thoughts.

My deepest desire would be to pass for binary gender female and the clear challenges to that are what kept me from hrt for 20 years. It is still not to be however the time had arrived to simply tell the world I'm more comfortable as femme, have begun transition with hrt and am bit by bit reconstructing my exterior as gende-fluid.

I'm undecided on proceeding to GRS, it's about 70:30 vote in favor and so I'm researching.

OP.

How I wish we could blind these experiments. I try to have a good handle on my biases and factor them into results as fairly large margins of error.

Quote from: SadieBlake on April 24, 2016, 10:14:18 AM
E is above normal for cis female

Cisfemales' levels can range from 20 pg/ml (73 pmol/L) to as high as 650 pg/ml (2,386 pmol/L) during a menstrual cycle and up to 75,000 pg/ml (275,000 pmol/L) during pregnancy. Your E is certainly not above normal. Pregnancy is a normal part of a woman's life.

Its not really clear what low dose actually means. My low dose experience actually gave me blood levels some doctors would consider transitioning doses. Plus people have different sensitivities to hormones.

I beginning to think that low dose means its below the level where its fully effective. My low dose was not effective compared to now, mentally or physically, and I was on it for years so it wasn't just going slowly.

Finding the correct dosage for us is IMO a crap shoot.  My endo wanted me at 200 & tried all last yr. to get me there. Worked with patches in ever increasing doses for 9 mos. to no avail.  He switched me to injections in late Dec., but as  my GCS was sched. for late Jan. I had to discontinue all 'mones until I was post op. Tested in late Feb. & I was all over the map between 80 & 525.  My guess is that my endo sys was & is trying to adjust to the new me minus testicles. Will test again next month.  Am continuing with a low injectable dose every 2 wks. for the time being.  Will see what happens.
Hugz!

I have been meaning to put a post in this thread for sometime – it's a great thread, great idea Stocastic and I have found it incredibly useful.

My story is quite long (aren't they all), but it is worth giving some context so I will try and stick to the main points.  I am 46yo and have recently come to terms with being TG (last year), even though I was wanting to be a girl from the age of about 5.  I have dressed all my life (mostly in secret) but never really accepted it as more than a phase, and have done the stereotypical male sports and jobs and developed numerous coping mechanisms.....  I am married with a young family and I told my wife about my crossdressing before we got married, she is understanding but doesn't want me to transition.

By late 2014 I was depressed, anxious, angry and generally not a nice person to be with, my young children were growing up and my ability to dress when I wanted was becoming curtailed. I was starting to look at ways to feminise myself and started laser facial hair removal and removing body hair, I also started to research HRT – everything was a mess so I looked for a gender therapist. (I had seen one briefly in the past in 05 and really wish she was as good as the one I have now – I cannot stress strongly enough the value of a good therapist and the dangers of a poor one – but that's another post I feel)

So the questions – and this is my experience others will be very different.

First Time (Jan 15)

1. How long have you been on low dose and reasons for choosing low dose.

I have used low dose HRT twice.  I first used it in Jan 15 when everything was a mess, I was anxious, consuming way too many energy drinks, angry and depressed.  It was also the time I started therapy.  I self medicated estrogel (I know I shouldn't have – and I wouldn't recommend it ) for about 2 months.  I had done lots of research and read that low dose HRT could help with the mental aspects without pushing you down the road to transition too quickly.  I am over 40 and the gel seemed to most risk free approach and since I was only using a small amount I didn't need to cover all available limbs with the stuff!

2. Describe to what extent low dose has helped with dysphoria.

Bearing in mind that when I started HRT the first time everything was a mess.  At the same time as starting it, I stopped my energy drink addiction, started to exercise more and started to see a therapist.  So in terms of a controlled experiment my findings are not very reliable.  But I noticed an almost immediate reduction in anxiety – 48 hours after starting – I would describe it as seeing the world through a softer focus.. I could still see the things that would annoy me or make me anxious, but they didn't bother me, as if I was in a protected wrapper.  I felt great – my wife (who I didn't tell the first time I used HRT) could not believe the change in me.  But I was also seeing a great therapist and making other changes all of which could have an impact...

3. Changes with low dose.

Mental as above – although could well have been placebo.  After about 8 weeks my breasts were really itchy and I got a bit nervous about changes.  I also was making real progress with therapy and felt bad about not telling my wife so I stopped the HRT.

Second Time: (Nov 15)

1. How long have you been on low dose and reasons for choosing low dose.

By about Sep/Oct 15 my dysphoria was getting really bad, I was getting anxiety attacks every day that would make me feel sick, I would get distracted, my patience levels were low and I was snapping at my family and not a very pleasant person.  I didn't like who I was but couldn't seem to stop it.  I was still seeing my therapist and still making progress, but some of it was realising I was TG, and that I would transition if I could, but that other factors that were important to me were making that route difficult and causing stress.  I became aware of routes to supervised HRT that didn't involve my GP.  I did more research and spoke to people (qualified) so in Nov 15 I went back on to HRT this time on patches (evorel) and finasteride.

2. Describe to what extent low dose has helped with dysphoria.

As before, the mental impacts were almost immediate and significant.  Anxiety all but gone, anger and depression lifted, "you are like the happy person I married" to quote my wife – who this time I told – I felt better about myself.

3. Changes with low dose.

This time (the dose was higher circa 30-50% a transition dose) I noticed that my skin dried out slightly and become softer, my hair growth slowed, my pee smelt different.  After about 4 weeks, my morning erections were pretty non existant, after about 8 I struggled to get fully erect and my ejaculate had reduced.  I loved all of these changes. Everything was good. I felt great, my family has a happy father and my wife and I were getting on great.  I got blood done and E was circa 140 and t circa 4 (or 400 depending on units) and all seemed good.

However, my nipples went from itchy after 4 weeks to proper sore, and I started to get breast development.  I could feel a bud forming under them but there were no changes to my overall breast size for a 2 plus months so I was happy and just made sure I didn't bang my breasts!  Then over a four week period in Apr the breast fairy arrived.... And I went from nothing much to an A cup in 4 weeks.  An A doesn't sound much, but I now have breasts and nipples that in a tight shirt / t shirt scream girl and have a proper shape to them – they are also a bit too firm to be manboobs.  This kinda freaked me out – I am not in the mental place to out myself at work / swimming pool / beach / school gates and whilst hiding is an option at the moment – just – any further growth at the rate I had experienced was going to be awkward.

So the anxiety of dysphoria was replaced with the anxiety of outing myself when I am far from ready to do so.  So after careful consideration and discussion with wife / therapist I reduced the doseage slowly and come off the HRT.   So I will see how I get on now.  If I cant manage without E I have to be ready to deal with the consequences of taking HRT – but I also need to approach my period of no HRT in a positive manner and I am.

As an aside I noticed that the effects of HRT quickly went – my pee smell has changed back, my skin has got greasy, my erections and libido is back and I am starting to notice dysphoria symptoms.  My nipples remain sensitive, but the soreness has gone.  I miss them!

I also put on weight when on HRT, my bum got bigger etc – but that might be a whole heap of reasons so I cant blame HRT.

5. Other thoughts

Low dose HRT sorts out the dysphoria but can still make you transition to a point that you struggle to hide – and quite quickly - I know some people hide successfully for years – I guess it is horses for courses but – if you are going to do this then please be aware that you could find changes happening more quickly than you wish.  If I go back on then I will start really low and only work up really slowly and if I absolutely must ....  I will also do so knowing that I am on a road to outing myself and will just have to accept that.  Of course my decisions and circumstances may well change over the next year or so – but right now this is where I am.

Bit long – sorry.  Happy to answer questions etc by email.

Love
Laura

sorry,  I know it's not the answer to the topic, but what exactly is a 'low dose'?

Quote from: Lebedinaja on May 08, 2016, 04:50:34 AM
sorry,  I know it's not the answer to the topic, but what exactly is a 'low dose'?

It's a dose which is significantly lower than a transition dose. But the same dose which is a low dose for a given person will be a full dose for an other person.

I wanted to bump this thread to see if any of the original posters here have any updates to share since the past year or so?  I'm a week away from seeing my endocrinologist for the first time, so I'm eager to hear as many perspectives as possible.  Thanks!

?!?Low dose?!? Are you talking about taking hormones to increase your estrogen level to safe high normal male levels and to lower your testosterone level to safe low male levels so you can see how your brain responds to women's hormones?

*bump* accepted.

It's been steady as she goes for me.  On my current dosage feminisation seems to have tapered off with the girls having settled on roughly A cup size and fat distribution all over the place (although I do have a reasonable caboose these days, I still have a bit of a belly).

I'm mostly comfortable in my own skin - but it'd be quite easy go down the full social transition route save for my personal circumstances.  Mentally, these days I identify as female, but can maintain the butch act sufficiently and easily enough that suspicions aren't raised.  Acting in such a manner doesn't bother me for the record.

I'm due for a blood test (3 months after insertion of last pellet) mainly for clinical curiosity reasons, but general inertia has meant I've been procrastinating.  I'll update my personal HRT thread once I get the results as it seems to be of interest to people.  I'm betting e levels around 500-600pmol/L and pretty much close to 0 T.

OCTrisha there anything specific you wanted to know?

Quote from: luna nyan on January 10, 2017, 12:03:20 AM
*bump* accepted.

It's been steady as she goes for me.  On my current dosage feminisation seems to have tapered off with the girls having settled on roughly A cup size and fat distribution all over the place (although I do have a reasonable caboose these days, I still have a bit of a belly).

I'm mostly comfortable in my own skin - but it'd be quite easy go down the full social transition route save for my personal circumstances.  Mentally, these days I identify as female, but can maintain the butch act sufficiently and easily enough that suspicions aren't raised.  Acting in such a manner doesn't bother me for the record.

I'm due for a blood test (3 months after insertion of last pellet) mainly for clinical curiosity reasons, but general inertia has meant I've been procrastinating.  I'll update my personal HRT thread once I get the results as it seems to be of interest to people.  I'm betting e levels around 500-600pmol/L and pretty much close to 0 T.

OCTrisha there anything specific you wanted to know?

Thank you for the update Luna Nyan.  I wasn't looking for any particular response necessarily... I just wanted to see if others have been able to keep the low dose regimen going long term.  I'm also in a place where I don't know if I want to proceed with a full transition, but I still need to take action to deal with this dysphoria.  The low dose route seems like a potentially great option, but I'm also concerned it might force my hand at a point that I'm not ready. 

Quote from: OCTrisha on January 10, 2017, 12:30:46 AM
I just wanted to see if others have been able to keep the low dose regimen going long term.  I'm also in a place where I don't know if I want to proceed with a full transition, but I still need to take action to deal with this dysphoria.  The low dose route seems like a potentially great option, but I'm also concerned it might force my hand at a point that I'm not ready.

It has been a while since I had checked in. As discussed previously, I was on a relatively low dose for 1.75 years, and for the last 1.5 years, I am on a higher dose that is typical for those transitioning. HRT dosage and hormone levels have not varied much for the last 1.5 years. Body measurements are very similar to what I had reported earlier, so the majority of changes to my body occurred under low dose. Something to consider when starting a lower dose treatment.

I am in an in between area with my gender. I dress androgynously in casual clothing. I have shoulder length hair, tweezed brows, and shaved legs yet most everyone sees me as male. Many comments about looking young for my age, and people do slip a ma'am every now and then. This is difficult because I do not want to present as ultra feminine for people to view me as female. I have a family to support, so I have not pursued laser although I only have a scattering of facial hair. I also do not want FFS surgeries. I am comfortable but not truly happy where I am at currently. However, I feel there are no winning options. The present state is the best option for me and my family at this point in time.