As of today I've officially been in hormone therapy for 1 month. I'm at a normal starting does of Spiro but my Estradiol dose is pretty low compared to where I've found most seem to start. That said, emotionally I have begun to notice some calmness, especially when driving.  I still get mad sometimes but I don't feel the desire to react or become retaliatory as I used to. Dysphoria has been reduced but still comes on at the most unexpected moments. Libido is down from what it was but still pretty strong.  My skin when shaved does seem a little softer than it used to be.  And finally, my breasts are a bit sore, especially my left one around and under the nipple area in particular.

So I know it's silly to expect much in terms of physical changes at 1 month, especially on low dose E.  Therefore it's probably even more ludicrous to post before and after pics but I figured I would anyway.  With a decent comparison set, I can now see what my electrologist and therapist were talking about.  There are some small changes I notice now.

Congrats on the month

I think that if noticing tiny things boosts morale, there's no harm in that!

 Congrats Alyssa,

  Posting the pics will give you a record of your progress if you keep it up at regular intervals. At this point yes the change would be subtle and I have a difficult time seeing them even in myself at just short of 5 months. Well except for my chest. I see definite changes there... no more going shirtless.
  Sore boobs you say? Next you will feel new lump under the skin there too. It won't be long now.
  You can surely use a more mellow attitude towards life events but watch out for the emotions working overboard.

  Hugs Alyssa, you're doing okay.
   Laurie

Congratulations. It's good to keep track of changes and have others let you know if they see changes you may not see.


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Alyssa,

I am so excited for you!! While your make up abilities are certainly better what I see are your eyes.  I know you have been walking through a bit of hell but there is much more spark and life in your eyes. Ready to see month 2!!

Quote from: AlyssaJ on April 30, 2017, 11:59:16 AM
As of today I've officially been in hormone therapy for 1 month. I'm at a normal starting does of Spiro but my Estradiol dose is pretty low compared to where I've found most seem to start. That said, emotionally I have begun to notice some calmness, especially when driving.  I still get mad sometimes but I don't feel the desire to react or become retaliatory as I used to. Dysphoria has been reduced but still comes on at the most unexpected moments. Libido is down from what it was but still pretty strong.  My skin when shaved does seem a little softer than it used to be.  And finally, my breasts are a bit sore, especially my left one around and under the nipple area in particular.

So I know it's silly to expect much in terms of physical changes at 1 month, especially on low dose E.  Therefore it's probably even more ludicrous to post before and after pics but I figured I would anyway.  With a decent comparison set, I can now see what my electrologist and therapist were talking about.  There are some small changes I notice now.

You're going to look so radically different after one year of transitioning that you won't believe it. I remember that stage of my transition well.

Anyway, first you're not ludicrous for posting progress photos after one month lol. I used to post weekly progress photos to my Facebook lol. I think you do look different, btw, and I love your hair. However, the lighting is so different between the two photos that it's difficult to tell how much you've actually changed. And once again, one month is nothin'---you just wait haha.

K.C.

Thanks girls!!!

Quote from: JeanetteLW on April 30, 2017, 12:41:03 PM
Posting the pics will give you a record of your progress if you keep it up at regular intervals.

That was one ulterior motive I had in posting this.  I've talked to a number of people who've said they had a hard time seeing the differences until they put photos next to each other.  Many of them had wished they had kept a more consistent record.  So I made up my mind to take pics once a month in both male and female presentation (well until the two merge anyway).  Figure it's a nice simple way to keep track and also if I can see changes, even if subtle, each month then that will hopefully help me stay a little more patient with the process.

Quote from: femfem on April 30, 2017, 02:37:19 PM
However, the lighting is so different between the two photos that it's difficult to tell how much you've actually changed. And once again, one month is nothin'---you just wait haha.

Yeah I know what you mean, I debated trying to normalize the white balance of the second one with the first one but I wanted to keep both pics straight off the camera without any editing (other than to crop and shrink).  Where I was able to clearly (with some examination) see differences was in my chin and around my eyes. 

And yeah I know I'm barely getting this ball rollin', definitely looking forward to the future changes

Good for you. Calming the demons in my head was the first indication something was going on. Pleasantly I started thinking positively for possibly the first time in my life. No I still don't have a sunny disposition but it is light years away from where it was. Through it all I have a greater appreciation for my wife, not because of sex or anything like that. That train left the station a long time ago. But we found other ways to cope and bring closeness. We have always been friends but after my first wife I was always sceptical. The first physical changes occurred when by boobs already growing from using spiro for 25 years began to develop even more. They burned like hot coals. Got rounder, more full. They are size c now 8 months in. My butt has filled out too and presently my waist is taking shape. My face got softer with smaller pores. However due to my age I am noticing some new wrinkles. Oh and cellulite.  Would I do it again? Based on my new found mental stability, I'd do it in a moment. Not because it has answered the prayers I made so many years ago to be a woman. But because, it's made me a human.  Hugs darling, best of luck to you.

Yes lighting is everything. Without the proper light you can see stubble, shadows and a general darkening of the mood. Light brings vitality to the photo. We have quite a few here that like to document their progress. I hope you decide to continue also.

Another road rager! A girl after my own heart. 
Those idiots don't know how to drive!

Hugs, Devlyn

1 month Alyssa damn girl You look courageous !

HRT is magic, isn't it? Love your hair style BTW.
L

My god Alyssa why do you need HRT when clearly by looking at those photos your already a beautiful woman, I hope to god I look that good when/if I get that magic stuff.

Quote from: coldHeart on May 03, 2017, 04:13:04 PM
My god Alyssa why do you need HRT when clearly by looking at those photos your already a beautiful woman, I hope to god I look that good when/if I get that magic stuff.

Oh my gosh stop it, I'm blushing over here!!  Thank you for the kind words.  Not sure if your question was rhetorical, but there are quite a few reasons why I'm taking hormones:
1. I definitely want boobs
2. I'm hoping it decreases my body hair significantly
3. I would love to see my face more feminized and skin softened up
4. Looking for a better body shape (less muscles up top, more padding around the hips and butt)
5. It's a requirement for GRS or Orchi (not 100% sure I'm going that route but if I do I need at least 1 year of HRT first)

I,m off to my therapist next week but i don't how long it would take to put  me on HRT I want boobs but  already have A cup size even when I was an athletic I still had boobs then, I would love to know what foundation you use became when I put on make up I look a mess but you & other woman look beautiful its not fair lol what will you look like in 12 months I knock out me thinks, sorry people for stupid questions at times but just need some good tips😊 because I,m starting to get very worried.

You're doing great and you look absolutely stunning!   I have to say that for me the longest month was the first one.  During that time the future still all seemed so far away....and you are constantly looking for changes or differences...so you have some validation that it's all going to work out. 

Slowly it all comes together and before you know it you've knocked away months of transition, your hair grows and your breasts develop.   

Keep going...you're doing great!

Quote from: coldHeart on May 03, 2017, 05:25:36 PM
I would love to know what foundation you use became when I put on make up I look a mess but you & other woman look beautiful its not fair lol what will you look like in 12 months I knock out me thinks

Thank you again for the compliments. Rather than steer this thread off-course, I've responded to you via personal message with the makeup info you're looking for.

Quote from: kat69 on May 03, 2017, 05:37:38 PM
You're doing great and you look absolutely stunning!   I have to say that for me the longest month was the first one.  During that time the future still all seemed so far away....and you are constantly looking for changes or differences...so you have some validation that it's all going to work out.

First of all, thank you so much for the compliments, I'm blushing yet again. It is a nice self confidence boost though so I do really appreciate that.  Your post really connected with me.  I think you're right about that first month.  I've been going crazy just looking for any signs that its working. Then add to it the particularly low dosage my doctor has me on and the stories from other women who saw changes in weeks and I do start to freak out and worry about my progress.  I'm hoping it goes like you say, that over this next month and beyond things start to show up a little (and then a lot  ).  So thanks again for your message, this was really helpful to me.

Which picture is of you?

To be fair, according to my eyes, the differences are very slight.  You look great, but the pics are not easily comparable.  You matched the pose which is good, but the differences are very likely exaggerated by other factors.  The most major thing is the lighting difference.  In the the first pic there is less light and it is of a much cooler tone.  This exaggerates the creases and shadows.  The warmer and more abundant (also angle) light in the second photo add a glow that illuminates the face better and is more pleasing to the eye in general.  In the update you are wearing foundation, the original doesn't​ appear to have it.  This changes the skin appearance.  So it's hard to tell if complexion is improved or to what extent, by hormones.  The  oiliness or sheen to the skin in the first compared to the second is hard to gauge realistically because of the make up as well.  The eyes pop more on the second.  If you look closely you can see beyond the make up to tell there is a subtle change to the creases/sunkeness.  However, the makeup makes them pop more than would be otherwise obvious.  Your lips have filled out a bit which is good.  Overall the happiness that shows through is the biggest subtle change I see from the photos looking past the lighting/makeup effects.

I'm in no way implying that you are trying to be disingenuous.  You look great and will continue to improve.  I mostly bring this up for those without a keen eye, or who just give a casual glance and read more into results than you mean imply.  Please try to keep the lighting more like the second photo moving forward.  Consistency is the key for comparison.

Please don't get upset with me, I already feel kind of like a jerk for nitpicking.  I've almost deleted this post a bunch of times.  I think you look so happy and that's awesome.

I don't see any difference between the two other than lighting and makeup, but then again, I wouldn't expect to.

It takes years for estrogen to femininize an undifferentiated adolescent female.  Somehow the trans community has come to expect rapid change, both mentally and physically.

It doesn't work that way.

Congratulations Alyssa!

I chickened out a couple months ago on what would have been my "HRT prescription appointment."  Reading your post just now is very inspiring for me... please keep us updated on your progress!