Hello everyone,

I'm new to the forums and I'm happy to join this exciting new community! I've always had a stretch mark problem even before transition. My knees were covered in stretch marks because I went through a growth spurt that gave me obnoxiously long legs and arms even though I'm 5'4.
Now that I started transitioning, I have very deep stretch marks that actually look like cuts in the skin on my upper thigh area. I also have tons of stretch marks all over my buttocks and some on my lower back. They're all deep purple in color and actually pretty scary to look at! I've seen pregnant women with less stretch marks than this.
I use a stretch mark cream that is slowly fading them away but I am still concerned. I wish I could attach pictures because they're truly worse than any stretch marks I've ever seen- looking at them in certain lighting makes it look like someone took a knife and cut lines into my skin!

Since I'm only 7 months on HRT so far, I honestly do not understand how this happened. My hips are still all bone and I haven't gained that much weight. I'd say about 10 lbs in 7 months which is a very slow weight gain.
Could it be possible that the actual pelvis itself is widening and causing the horrendous stretch marks but no weight gain?
If so, is that a good thing...? My hips are still quite narrow for girl standards so it's pretty weird that this is happening.

Thanks for the help!

Welcome to Susan's Place. I developed pretty slow so I never had that problem but development can vary. I you are no older than your early 20's it's possible to see hip development but it will depend on your genetics. My understanding is given time the stretch marks will fade however, you might want to mention it to your doctor for a second opinion.

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you don't necessarily have to experience massive weight gain or pregnancy to get stretch marks. it's a common misconception that stretch marks are a result from those two, but the bottom line is that it's caused by HORMONAL CHANGES, as evidenced by your going on HRT.

It's part of being a woman

If anyone has a better answer I'm all ears.

While hormones supposedly can cause stretch marks they are DEFINITELY caused by growth spurts and rapid weight gain. Like pregnancy. That's why they often use cocoa butter

I gained and lost 40 lbs in a pretty short time in college and still have deep stretch marks in my thigh area. If they fade in time it is not not quick. It has been 7 years already... If it went from dark purple to more of a scar it is permanent from what I researched. The creams are most effective when the stretch marks are new. If anyone has more current treatments though speak up!


Edit: I just read up on a few sites saying how it's hormones vs weight gain or stretching but the sites are not showing much credibility and absolutely no sources and it goes against personal experience. If it's hormones then why are the stretch marks only where you gained the weight?? (Pregnant belly, thicker thighs, wider shoulders)

So I'm sticking with the mayo clinic research site that is current as of January 2016 and their data lines up with my own experience

Alina welcome to the site. Thanks for this question. I hope you get some good answers. I think it will help others too.

I was wondering if you might have another account on this site? It might just be a trick of a server but it looks like you might. If you do, could you mention that in this thread. It's not a big problem but we are only allowed one active account on this site at a time.

Wishing you love, acceptance and a smooth journey.

With warmth,

Joanna