I know that physical changes take months, but I hear people talking about the mental / emotional effects being felt quite quickly.  So how quickly?  Days?  Weeks?

I admit, I have a hard time being patient.  Five days in, on a starter dose, and I don't feel nothin'.  It is unreasonable to expect anything this soon, I know.  When should I expect to notice anything?

Kathy, it does take a while.  I think my first glimpse at the mental effects of HRT was 11 days in, when I woke in a VERY good mood that persisted several hours.  I started to have stretches of a few hours every day where the mental 'noise' appeared diminished around two weeks in.

At a bit over a month, I was feeling this mental 'calm' much of the time, and by two months in, it had become my new normal state.  That coincided with my testosterone levels dropping below the 'male normal' range, from my lab results then.



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Thanks, Michelle.  Good to have a perspective on this.

After almost 2 months of anti androgens, nearing 3 weeks on estrogen and progesterone, and most of a year of being open with my partner about the way I am (and most importantly, myself again) I get pretty weepy at times. I used to never allow myself the luxury of showing any signs of emotional distress outside of anger and disgust. Its nice now to be able to open the flood gates for a couple hours at a time. Cute stuff tears me up too. Like Michelle stated, a large mess of that 'noise' is gone, barring a serious confrontation or provoked dysphoria.

Quote from: KathyLauren on January 25, 2017, 08:26:58 AM
I know that physical changes take months, but I hear people talking about the mental / emotional effects being felt quite quickly.  So how quickly?  Days?  Weeks?

For me, it was about a month before I really noticed any mental changes.  So it's not always fast for everyone.

Kat
I for one had an immediate response as I cannot wipe the smile off my face, even to this day. From about two days on, the cobwebs began to disappear. By the end of the first week my anger that had been my constant companion for all these years, disappeared. By week two I had returned to my family for game night. I had man boobs already from 25 years of Spiro for heart problem. By the second month I developed breast buds and my boobs got rounder and slightly more robust to b maybe c size. There is a 3" difference between the under breast measure and the full measurement.  My butt is filling out now and i am starting to see cellulite. My testies have shrunk beginning about the start of month five. You may notice your nipples getting sore. That generally means the breasts are growing. It can get a little intense. Body hair begins to decrease, no not go away. But head hair is growing like when I was a kid. Hair on the face is getting greyer, thinner and more sparse. You will still need electrolysis. Body hair has gotten finer and sparser. Since I don't have much. it is easy to maintain with sugar wax. Lastly. It is a marathon not a sprint so be patient. It will happen.

Dawn

So far as "mental changes", I don't think the changes I noticed were a result of the medications, but a relief knowing that I was on path to what I needed.  I cannot say I'm more calm, more or less moody, etc. but I am no longer anxious and can focus on my goals.

Physical change?  It's really hard to see.  You've seen your face the same way your entire life and it's just difficult to see these small changes...  It's like watching grass grow.  It seems like it came out of the blue when I began to "male fail" and I still cannot even see it despite most people identifying me as a girl right away if they don't know me (if they know me, then they hear and see whatever they knew me as).  I'm not 100% sure when it began, but I'd have to say the most noticeable time was while I was leaving the men's restroom at work during the 7th or 8th month.  A man walked in and clearly thought he walked into the girl's bathroom by accident (as he saw me); he checked the signage and confirmed it was the men's restroom before returning with an awkward look on his face.  Now, I get these looks all the time (I'm still not open about this despite the obvious changes), and I even get people telling me "This is the men's restroom!  This one is for men!" and a lot of walk-in/walk-out with sign checking.

Mental changes for me 3 days on Spiro only.  Some placebo effect but the second attempt on a 1/4 dose did nothing.  I went to 1/2 dose and felt better in 3 days again.

Physical changes, only after starting estragon injections, sore nipples in 11 days.  Small lumps in just under 3 weeks.  After 2.5 months I'm sporting enough breast to "palm".  Easily hidden but no way can I go topless.  Full time bra starts in 6 weeks and by then I'll need one.  Today, not a necessity.

YMMV.

Denise
I have been on spiro for over 25 years. The only thing noticeable in that time is my sexual function went bye bye. I went pee more than any human should. And manboobs. Of course I was not on the dose to transition so ymmv. I have bought a set of bras and panties.  To know if you need cup holders, use the pencil test. Hold a pencil under your breast as close to the base as possible, lift it up if necessary. Now set it back down and let go. If the pencil stays, it's time for a bra.

Dawn

I was started on a low dose of spiro for six weeks, which really did nothing as far as I could tell. Then a low dose of estradiol was added to that. It took a few days, but something definitely felt different, and I couldn't put my finger on it. About the second week on spiro/estradiol I was looking in the mirror and I remember feeling happy about who I am.  That was a thunderbolt.  I realized it was not so much what I was feeling , but what I was not feeling. The dysphoria was gone.  The years of self-hatred were gone. I was just me. I nearly cried. So this is what is was like to be "normal", to be a whole person. From that moment, I knew there was no going back. From then on, the question was no longer, "How can I possibly transition?" but "How can I get this done?".

~Terri

Hey

Seems like everyone is unique. Hopefully you'll feel it soon!
I can't tell if i'm better or worse since starting HrT. Several close family members have made my journey harder than i had anticipated. I feel like I've taken a ride through a blender this past few months. They've taken chunks out of my confidence, self-esteem, well being, and will to live. Every time i start to get up, someone else takes a kick at me. Feel like it's a never ending uphill struggle.
Since starting HrT tho, i have become so much more emotional. I nearly cried at a movie the other day. Like seriously. Never could have happened before. I feel more feminine (still working on that). I feel more....well..me. More comfortable. I hope i can reach the 'standing' position soon without any more setbacks. I'm tired of fighting all the time.

For someone who hates conflict, I really seem to find a lot of it.
Not cool!

Jessica

I did see some mental changes within the first week.  Over the past 8+ weeks I saw a gradual decrease in my tendency to get angry.  I used to honk and swear at people on the road.   Within a month I would just honk, and now I just say..."typical".  I know I can't attribute it all to,just the hormones....the significantly reduced anxiety from coming out and starting the transition likely aided the situation.   

One week today.  I started a new patch this morning.  I'm not feeling much mentally, although there may be less "static" in my head.  But the good news is I can feel my boobs!  Woo-hoo! 

Are you in Spiro or and other T inhibitor?

Quote from: Denise on January 27, 2017, 04:30:42 PM
Are you in Spiro or and other T inhibitor?

Spiro and E, both at "starter" doses, scheduled to increase soon if my blood tests show no problems.

Just barely a week in and I notice an overall sense of mellow and calm inside me.  Things that seem to upset  others around me do not bother me. I feel very peaceful.

I know many people report a sense of calm or inner peace, but seven months in, and I feel pretty much no mental changes what so ever.

The only real change is I cry easier, but other than that I've noticed nothing.

Kathy,   
   I know you are eager for change. I can relate for sure. A lot of the mental changes I saw with HRT were so gradual. I would think nothing was happening. Then one day it would hit me that I just don't react or think like I used to. I would think I was done changing until I had the same epiphany over and over. It is noticeable things like crying more, yeah, but also  more subtle things. It is 19 months now and I am not done changing. I am terrible remembering when things started week by week, so this I can't help you with. It is so cool for me to see the change in your circumstances from when I first met you. You were so scared about about telling your wife then. I congratulate you on your progress.
Moni

Quote from: naa on January 29, 2017, 05:13:05 AM
I know many people report a sense of calm or inner peace, but seven months in, and I feel pretty much no mental changes what so ever.

The only real change is I cry easier, but other than that I've noticed nothing.

    I, like Naa, Do not feel like I felt/feel much in the of mental changes. Possibly due to the mellowing of age (64). Perhaps due to many behavior changes I had to make in having to deal with the ending of a 20+ year marriage and recovering from alcoholism. But hey that's a different story. The reality is I feel much the same as I did before starting HRT two months ago.
     Again like Naa, I think I possible cry a little easy now but I noticed that seemed to be increasing before too. Again perhaps due to old age.
   I thing the soreness started about 2 weeks in andwas from entering that "budding" stage though I had a misconception about it. I was eagerly watching for the raise puffiness of the nipples and formation of the bud directly under. That wasn't how it worked for me. In my case my nipples decided to stand proud and were tingly but there was no growth nugget under. instead it was more like a donut developing in the area which has filled in under the nipples(still no puffy mound). I am now big enough to "palm", not enough to fill an A cup. Maybe a AA but I can't find a reasonaly priced one in my band size. Palming is a very pleasant experience not only for the sensation but very much because it is a confirmation that they are growing. 

   Patience, my dear. It will happen.

    Jeanette

Quote from: HappyMoni on January 29, 2017, 09:33:55 AM
I know you are eager for change.

Just impatient.  It is good to know that "Why isn't it working yet?" is not an appropriate thought. 

QuoteIt is so cool for me to see the change in your circumstances from when I first met you. You were so scared about about telling your wife then. I congratulate you on your progress.

Aw, thanks, sweetie!  I am in a much better space now.  My wife keeps asking if I feel anything yet, including whether I want more cats yet.  She has a weird sense of humour.