I've not been set up to get any hormones yet by my doctor so I have been reading up about them a lot.

But no matter what you read it's never the same as asking people who have actually had hormones treatment?

What should I be expecting in the first say year?
Will body hair really thin and go away for good?
Will my face become softer looking?

I know it's not going to change my voice and I am okay with that, it's more the physical characteristics I am asking about. How dramatic and how fast?

Your individual reaction will be unique, as we are all unique. In general, your body hair will thin out, you will grow breasts, and your face will become softer looking.

The hair on my chest has thinned drastically, probably by around 90%. Most of my other body hair is down by 30% - 50%. I still have what I consider too much stomach and leg hair, so I am getting laser treatments in those areas. Estrogen will have very little effect on facial hair, if you want to get rid of that you will need laser (if your hair is dark), or electrolysis (which works for all hair and skin colors).

My breasts started growing noticeably around month six. Before then they seemed to be in the budding stage and were exquisitely sore most of the time. I am only up to an 'A' cup after 10 months, but they are still growing at a regular pace. From what I have read it may take 2 - 5 years for their growth to complete.

The facial changes are also usually slow and subtle. Usually the upper cheeks fill out a bit. No one I work with has mentioned anything to me except an occasional comment about my hair getting longer. I keep my hair pasted down with mousse for work. I am only out to a handful of people. Just today I posted my first ever 'before and after' photos here:

https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,233104.msg2082002.html#msg2082002

I still have a long way to go, but the changes are definitely becoming noticeable.

This and a few other things.  That first week you should notice your skin is softer and your scent is more pleasant.  Later breast buds will form and take off.  Fat will distribute to other locations.  If you are wanting to lose weight do it before starting HRT. After you start it will become more stubborn to come off.  Hair takes a while to thin or go away.  HRT should work on most hair from the neck down.  If you have male pattern baldness then it might slow down the hair loss but that might be about it.  Facial hair will need to be removed by laser or electrolysis.

Time frame for you will be different as from everyone else.  Genetics will be a heavy factor in some stuff and the dosage of HRT recommended from the doctor as well. 

Good luck.  It's a wild ride but it is very slow. 

And your sense of touch becomes much more softer and sensitive and you feel a lot more, when you touch things.

When I pat my dog, it feels like I would put my hand into cotton, it's so soft. This happened with a week or two after starting HRT.

The downside being, that no more violently scrubbing this body in shower. Did that once, or tried, because I didn't quite realize that the sense of touch is now so sensitive. It hurt, badly!

Also, whereever you hit this body, it seems that you get bruises and small cuts much much more easily, which also heal a lot slower.

Before, with the testo body, if you got hit by a train, then you had to check, that all the parts were intact 

Now, a small bump from the door, and I at least need to check, that I don't need to go to the ER 

All this is true, but ymmv big time.  I noticed softer skin in the first week.  I did have a bout of slight mental stress as I got used to E.  Breastbuds started after a month and remain sore to this day with fluctuations in degree.  At about 4 months increased itching preceded some breast growth.  At that same time I stared to lose hair density on my legs.  When my doc doubled my E dose, skin got even softer and hair is reducing even faster.  After a bit more than 6 months and I definitely see changes. But......YMMV!  Some girls are late bloomers.

Jessica

I forgot to add that fat has distributed more to the cheeks of my butt and in the cheeks of my face, my smile lines are disappearing!

Quote from: Mendi on January 27, 2018, 12:37:48 PM
Also, whereever you hit this body, it seems that you get bruises and small cuts much much more easily, which also heal a lot slower.

Oh my, yes! I am always finding random bruises that I never used to get.

The fact that you are setting your sights one year down the road is excellent.  You will experience some degree of breast development, skin softening, fat redistribution and body hair reduction.  How much depends on your genetics.  You may also be permanently sterilized by that time--it can happen.  Consider banking sperm if that might ever matter to you.

Based on my personal experience only, I think you'll know if you want to continue therapy by 6-8 months out.  Don't expect ecstasy, sudden conformity with stereotypes, or to be unrecognizable to yourself.  The slow, plodding experiment is this: 

Do I feel better over all?

 For myself, after one year of HRT, the changes were noticeable but minimal. After two years of HRT, I and other people around me noticed much more softness in my face and body with less hair below the neck.

One thing I did notice almost right away, is a much more calm demeanor. Nothing bothered me and I felt at peace with the world. For the first time in my life, I felt really good.

Quote from: Jessica_Rose on January 27, 2018, 09:04:58 AM
Your individual reaction will be unique, as we are all unique. In general, your body hair will thin out, you will grow breasts, and your face will become softer looking.

Pretty much what I am hoping for

Quote from: RobynTx on January 27, 2018, 12:28:24 PM
That first week you should notice your skin is softer and your scent is more pleasant.    Fat will distribute to other locations.  If you are wanting to lose weight do it before starting HRT. After you start it will become more stubborn to come off.  Hair takes a while to thin or go away.  HRT should work on most hair from the neck down.  If you have male pattern baldness then it might slow down the hair loss but that might be about it.  Facial hair will need to be removed by laser or electrolysis.

scent is more plesant? that sound so unusual Interesting you should mention losing weight as I do need/want to, is it that much more difficult to lose weight on hormones?
Thanks for the note regarding male pattern baldness. I am very slowly (say over ten years) having the hair on my crown thin a little. It'll be fine if it stays as it is.

Quote from: Mendi on January 27, 2018, 12:37:48 PM
And your sense of touch becomes much more softer and sensitive and you feel a lot more, when you touch things.

Also, whereever you hit this body, it seems that you get bruises and small cuts much much more easily, which also heal a lot slower.

sensitive touch sounds like such a mixed blessing but one I am looking forward to.
this bruises thing worries me a bit as I have a moderately physical job and I often find large bruises in the shower that I didn't even know were there. If these are going to hurt all the time...just ouch

Quote from: rmaddy on January 27, 2018, 05:18:07 PM
The fact that you are setting your sights one year down the road is excellent.  You may also be permanently sterilized by that time--it can happen.  Consider banking sperm if that might ever matter to you.

thank you. I can dream I can take a pill tonight and in the morning full girl, womb and all. Of course life doesn't work like that so I am trying to be realistic about it. I mean my doctor my even say no regarding treatment.
Thanks for telling me about being steralised. I'm 33 now, nearly 34 likely by the time I am on hormones approaching 35. So I don't want to save my sperm. I can be a good mother to any step child or foster child although I do feel sad I will never be a genetic mother (note mother not parent)

The scent changes and at least my sweat doesn't smell the same anymore, it does smell, but very faintly. Also urine smell changes.

Just be careful with the bruises and cuts. Womans skin is softer and way more sensitive.

Quote from: Mendi on January 28, 2018, 10:12:52 PM
The scent changes and at least my sweat doesn't smell the same anymore, it does smell, but very faintly. Also urine smell changes.

Just be careful with the bruises and cuts. Womans skin is softer and way more sensitive.

With me, I never had a bad body sweat odor, thankfully I still don't.
My pee smell changed so that it does smell like my wife's.  TMI but true.
Bruises are easier to get, for sure, and you heal slower it seems.

i'm four months on E and T Blocker. 

Little changes, like clearer skin, less oily skin happened right away.  lately i've noticed my lips are darker, which kind of surprised me.  And this month I realized that my facial and body hair was growing slower.  I have noticeable breast growth, only an A cup so far but enough that i can't wear my old tight men's t shirts.

But the biggest change for me less than a month on HRT was an incredible change in my mind.  it was like a weight was lifted.  My anxiety lessened dramatically.  I've heard other girls call it mental clarity and that would be acurate for me too.  It was profound.  And difficult to put into words. 

Many studies suggest estradiol is an anti-depressant and reduces anxiety. The darker lip thing might be due to estrogen increasing pigmentation in the skin...I don't even need to wear lipstick sometimes, it looks like I have some already on.

E is GREAT. 

I noticed emotional changes within 2 weeks of starting injected estradiol valerate, breast soreness soon after that and was surprised to see visible breast growth within 2 months.

Ability to hold erections was affected within a couple of months, libido was largely gone / changed until 7-8 months when I started progesterone. It's still changed and for the better.

Quote from: SadieBlake on January 31, 2018, 11:12:16 AM
I noticed emotional changes within 2 weeks of starting injected estradiol valerate, breast soreness soon after that and was surprised to see visible breast growth within 2 months.

Ability to hold erections was affected within a couple of months, libido was largely gone / changed until 7-8 months when I started progesterone. It's still changed and for the better.

No erections for me.

Many women don't want erections and are relieved when HRT eliminates that. Not being comfortable with role didn't mean I hadn't enjoyed sex and between starting HRT and GCS I used viagra to help keep things working.

I'd like to think that transition works well for all of our desires, including those that change as a result.

Quote from: SadieBlake on January 31, 2018, 11:40:58 AM
Many women don't want erections and are relieved when HRT eliminates that. Not being comfortable with role didn't mean I hadn't enjoyed sex and between starting HRT and GCS I used viagra to help keep things working.

I'd like to think that transition works well for all of our desires, including those that change as a result.

I m reluctant to talk about these things.  But, in the spirit of learning, while I havent had an erect, i have noticed that i get wet which is strange as all heck.

Quote from: SadieBlake on January 31, 2018, 11:40:58 AM
Many women don't want erections and are relieved when HRT eliminates that. Not being comfortable with role didn't mean I hadn't enjoyed sex and between starting HRT and GCS I used viagra to help keep things working.

I'd like to think that transition works well for all of our desires, including those that change as a result.

I get morning erections and I don't like them. I haven't masturbated in about three weeks and the last time I did I was pretty drunk and I genuinely felt like absolute crap the next day and disgusted with myself.

I don't want to be a sexual prude, I just want the correct sexual organs to enjoy masturbating or sex with

Quote from: CallMeKatie on January 27, 2018, 08:25:58 AM
I've not been set up to get any hormones yet by my doctor so I have been reading up about them a lot.

But no matter what you read it's never the same as asking people who have actually had hormones treatment?

What should I be expecting in the first say year?
Will body hair really thin and go away for good?
Will my face become softer looking?

I know it's not going to change my voice and I am okay with that, it's more the physical characteristics I am asking about. How dramatic and how fast?

You get to magically transform into a woman... ok maybe not quite that but you'll at least develop the 'secondary sexual' characteristics.  Boobs, soft skin, better top hair, less body hair.  That being said, its all up to the genes and how much T* poisoning happened.   You might be one of the lucky ones.. you might be one of the 'unlucky' ones that needs more help.   Its a bit of a roll of the dice really, but something is better than nothing  

Many (though not all) report a diminishing of their sex drive, ability to ejaculate, and remain at attention (if you catch my drift).   Some don't.   Again, dice roll.

In the end, just be yourself!  Hope this helps.

Quote from: CallMeKatie on January 31, 2018, 01:12:18 PM
I get morning erections and I don't like them. I haven't masturbated in about three weeks and the last time I did I was pretty drunk and I genuinely felt like absolute crap the next day and disgusted with myself.

I don't want to be a sexual prude, I just want the correct sexual organs to enjoy masturbating or sex with

You do know women get morning erections?  The labia swell with blood (corpus cavernosum tissue), the clitoris becomes sensitive, vaginal secretions occur.  Mostly they just never talk about it, but ya it can occur.   All the penis is is a vagina that decided to go south further ^_^  Ok its a  bit more technical.   But don't be disgusted, just have a plan in motion to feel better later