I've heard some interesting anecdotal stories of those who've stopped HRT then started again, including rapid new growth and feminization.

If you've stopped for any reason then restarted I'd like to hear your experiences with body changes after restarting; thanks!

Also please include the length of time you were off HRT and your age at the time.

I was on HRT for about two years. Then stopped for about 20 years. Yep, twenty. I've had a much better response this time, certainly much better breast growth. But it's not possible to put the good results down to having been on HRT previously, it's possible that since I am now on better medication (spiro instead of androcur, for starters) and using a better delivery method (as estrogen implant as opposed to injection) those are the main reasons.

Thank you for your reply!

I'm curious about your Spiro claim as everything I've heard indicates Androcur is the better and more effective AA?

My experiences with Androcur included major depression and weight gain in all the wrong places (most notably around the stomach). The Primogen Depot injections may have also played a part in the depression. At any rate I can't remember my testosterone levels on Androcur from way back then but can confirm my T is currently very low with Spiro.

I hope your theory is correct. I have to go off hormones for six weeks for my surgery. After 2 weeks I can see my boobs getting smaller. Major bummer! I am hoping for that jump start.
Moni

My first foray in to HRT was on 1996 and I was on it for 7 months.  I had some development, but the moodiness was insane.  I was fresh off a divorce and had just started in to my role as a single parent with full custody.

I started again in summer, 2015 and WOW!  The results came on fast and furious with much more defined changes becoming apparent.  I have outpaced a lot of my sisters that started at the same time and we were all really surprised.

I asked my endo about it and she mentioned that the first time around was like priming my system.  I was under the effects long enough to start building a foundation of E receptors that then went dormant over the past (nearly) 20 years.  She also made it clear that I used then is barely even related to what we are using today and that that makes a huge difference.

I really have no way of actually knowing if there would be any real difference had a simply started fresh last year, but the thought is a bit intriguing. 

I've been on/off low dose HRT several times over several decades with and w/o spiro. Since I was never on long enough in the past for any significant, if any real, growth upstairs I cannot be sure that the almost B cups I now have at this late age is the reason why. I've always tended to be a bit gynocomastic and possible other issues.

When I went on full transition HRT I started with andocur. That is a major kick-ass anti-androgen in comparison to Spiro. Seven years in I still need to do spiro. Without it my T will eventually rise to low normal male, as well as my depression and WTF am I doing moods.

Quote from: HappyMoni on June 19, 2016, 07:46:04 AM
I hope your theory is correct. I have to go off hormones for six weeks for my surgery. After 2 weeks I can see my boobs getting smaller. Major bummer! I am hoping for that jump start.
Moni

This is standard procedure for GRS. Some of my post-op friends reported that their erections returned during this 6 week time period pre-surgery.

Jennifer xx

Quote from: Sleepnowmythrowaway on June 19, 2016, 05:11:11 AM
Also please include the length of time you were off HRT and your age at the time.

lol Been ON / OFF / ON again for over 4 decades . . . what's to know?

First started on Premarin for about 3 years out of HS, back when internet didn't exist. Stopped in 1983 when accepting new job where my Father, who knew everybody, was a Vice President!

Didn't start back again until Sunday, Nov 12, 2006! Reason I know exact date is personal journal entry is here:

Quote from: 2006 journal1'st MED came last week - spoke to (neighbor) Wed who came over and took my tire and Thurs (09NOV06) was mail notice in box. Except for slight nausea at first FEEL GREAT and am taking (dose edit) synthetic ethinyl estradol a day! A plastic med for a imitation girl???

Tuesday, Nov 14, 2006
Finasteride arrived today - while (XX) daily recommended will try (half X 2) and see. Very expensive. Rather 'neutral' feeling this AM, ate little and have felt 'hyped' with mild flashes more or less all day and hope my body adjusts Ok. Unlike 'spiro' it appears I can take it sub lingually (direct to bloodstream / easier on liver) although the practice may be discontinued. I love the ritual of the orals - X pills a day! - but remains to be seen how I keep it up

Med routines changed, EVOLVED, over the next 7 years . . . quit entirely around 2013 with little noticeable ill effects. Am convinced my 'male system' has completely SHUTDOWN have maintained A cups and some hips (with the help of an additional 60lbs?) Used to be 155 @ 6' tall and now . . . 

As stated earlier am back on Estrofem only as of a month ago(?) and feeling GREAT!

Quote from: JenniferLopezgomez on June 19, 2016, 11:13:10 AM
This is standard procedure for GRS. Some of my post-op friends reported that their erections returned during this 6 week time period pre-surgery.

Jennifer xx

Your friends are correct, much to my displeasure.
Moni

I recently stopped HRT in order to bank sperm. I was on HRT for 4 months and had experienced psychological changes, body hair reduction, and some breast development was beginning, as well as libido loss.

I have been off HRT for coming on 3 months (it takes 3 months according to the embryologist at the clinic I am seeing for fertility to recover after a short period of HRT - IF it does recover). I will be restarting HRT on Friday.

Since coming off, I lost tenderness on my breast, and the buds shrank within 2 weeks. There are small hard lumps there, but they went from around golf ball size to small marble. My libido returned and body hair growth sped up again.

The worst has been the psychological consequence of coming off HRT. I have had some very low points, and a return at times of suicide ideation. Seeing the progress of the 4 months HRT reverse was terrible. Gender dysphoria came back hard.

I can give you an update on how going back on the HRT goes in a month or two if you are interested.

Most Dr.s will request you to go off HRT for just about any type of surgery, I went off HRT for a few months when I had surgery on my shoulder

Other than feeling a bit awkward and being glad when I was able to resume again I don't recall there being much if any effect

Quote from: eking92 on July 13, 2016, 03:52:03 AM
I recently stopped HRT in order to bank sperm. I was on HRT for 4 months and had experienced psychological changes, body hair reduction, and some breast development was beginning, as well as libido loss.

I have been off HRT for coming on 3 months (it takes 3 months according to the embryologist at the clinic I am seeing for fertility to recover after a short period of HRT - IF it does recover). I will be restarting HRT on Friday.

Since coming off, I lost tenderness on my breast, and the buds shrank within 2 weeks. There are small hard lumps there, but they went from around golf ball size to small marble. My libido returned and body hair growth sped up again.

The worst has been the psychological consequence of coming off HRT. I have had some very low points, and a return at times of suicide ideation. Seeing the progress of the 4 months HRT reverse was terrible. Gender dysphoria came back hard.

I can give you an update on how going back on the HRT goes in a month or two if you are interested.

Sorry to interrupt the thread. I wanted to welcome eking92 to the site. Sounds like a tough road. I think many would be interested to hear the changes going back to HRT. Perhaps you could create a thread, checking in once or twice a week.

I also want to share some links with you. They are mostly welcome information and the rules that govern the site. If you have not had a chance to look through them, please take a moment:

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

Once again, welcome to Susan's. Look around, ask questions and join in.

With warmth,

Joanna

Now back to the regularly scheduled thread.