So my wife is hoping we might take a caravan trip around the country in our golden years (ie very soon), and has asked if the changes from HRT will affect my driving, or more specifically, trailer backing skills? No, it wasn't high on my list of concerns, but it is on hers.

Allie

Lol no.

Well, you won't be able to park.   

So a perfect backing job will out me  I had read that HRT can alter skills, and of the male things I do, backing vehicles and trailers seems to be a strength. I know there are a few trans truck drivers on this forum, so I guess they haven't suddenly been unable to back their rigs. Good news, one less concern for my wife.

Allie

You won't be able to navigate without stopping to ask directions.  Other than that, you'll be fine! 

Quote from: Allie Jayne on February 23, 2019, 06:12:04 AM
So a perfect backing job will out me  I had read that HRT can alter skills, and of the male things I do, backing vehicles and trailers seems to be a strength. I know there are a few trans truck drivers on this forum, so I guess they haven't suddenly been unable to back their rigs. Good news, one less concern for my wife.

There was a show a while ago, on Nova IIRC, about gender differences in behaviour.  Some traits are apparently inate, others learned.  I wonder if HRT has much effect on the inate ones.  One I recall being mentioned was males tend to have better spatial perception, but females are more empathetic.

Quote from: AnneK on February 23, 2019, 07:36:40 AM
One I recall being mentioned was males tend to have better spatial perception, but females are more empathetic.

Well I have zero spatial perception so that reinforces that I should be female

I backed into a car the other day while trying to parallel park, but I think that was due to being distracted more than anything honestly. (first time this ever happened to me though...)

Honestly, at least from my perspective it's really hard to accurately gauge how well your skills hold up over time. I find myself forgetting people's names more than I used to but is that due to:
1. having more opportunities to forget names (i.e. I'm making more friends)
2. getting older
3. hormones
4. some third factor (maybe I'm more distracted because my life is getting busier)

And let's not forget the Dunning-Kruger effect. I worry sometimes that I only have confidence in things because I haven't realized how much I actually have to learn. 

My roommate (post surgical) and I took a 34 foot motor home with a 28 foot trailer/store behind us all over the country for well over ten years. One boo boo was the result of a tight turn but the remainder of them were the result of male drivers not watching what they were doing. If anything, reducing your T levels reduces the likelihood of road rage making you a more cautious driver. That's why most insurance companies will reduce your rates when you transition.

Kathy,
           I have always gotten lost easily, so I am used to asking directions. Whilst my driving skills have always been good, I am losing confidence as I get older, and I suspect my T levels are naturally dropping.

Dena, your comment will please my wife, and it's interesting about lower premiums for transition.

One of the effects of my dysphoria is to stop me enjoying things to the fullest, and over recent years, I have lost some enthusiasm for doing things like holidays. Hopefully HRT can restore some of that so I will want to travel and do the 'grey nomad' thing for a bit.

Anne, I have always had good spatial perception, but supercharged empathy! And not just for other people, I cry for animals and plants as well.

I know generalisms say males have these traits, and females have those traits, but we are all individuals. I meet many women who have very good so called male skills, and my wife says that if I was any more maternal I would lactate! It's the clash between my male and female sides which makes my dysphoria so strong.

Thank you all, there is just so much great information on this forum!!

Allie

If you already have the skill it's hard to see how it can be "taken away" by HRT.

Tree trimming with a pole saw.  Female HRT can take away upper body strength and height.  It is much safer to cut down  tree limbs when you are standing on the ground.

Quote from: Allie Jayne on February 23, 2019, 03:53:26 AM
So my wife is hoping we might take a caravan trip around the country in our golden years (ie very soon), and has asked if the changes from HRT will affect my driving, or more specifically, trailer backing skills? No, it wasn't high on my list of concerns, but it is on hers.

Allie

I find backing trailers just as easy after more than 12 months of estrogen.

Even better I can talk to my wife at the same time about the latest soap opera ( multi- tasking)!

Kirsten xx.

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

I could never multi task, and HRT has not changed that either.  But I could always drive my 31 foot motorhome with my car in tow, and this skill did not change after HRT either!
I think that I have less upper body strength, but that is fine with me, because I have tools and equipment for doing the heavy lifting for m anyway!

Actually, reversing the car is pretty much my only male skill as my other skills are to do with children and domestic chores. My wife is the practical one in our relationship, and likes doing the outside chores. Ying and Yang, it's unusual but it works!

I have always had exceptional upper body strength and mass, lot's of people assume I work out at the gym, but it's natural. It is a source of my dysphoria, and hopefully the area of biggest change from HRT, but I know I'm gonna miss moving chairs with one hand. Small price to pay if I can be healthy.

Allie

HRT isn't a necessity right? I'm scared to ever try it.
I used to be spatially retarded but I worked as a van driver for 5 years and I became extremely good at driving, to this day I am most comfortable on the road and backing up is second nature to me.
I also like having upper body strength, but I won't puff my chest at the gym like I used to. I find the shaved head male bodybuilder look to be totally repulsive.
I'm confused about it isn't it OK to keep the inherent "male" skills and talents, but have the sexiness and superior aesthetics of femininity, but you don't have to worry about periods? So it's like the best of both worlds? I think my path will be more of theatrical/glamorous presentation of female rather than all-out trying to live as one but, what do I know...

Quote from: Allie Jayne on February 23, 2019, 03:53:26 AM
So my wife is hoping we might take a caravan trip around the country in our golden years (ie very soon), and has asked if the changes from HRT will affect my driving, or more specifically, trailer backing skills? No, it wasn't high on my list of concerns, but it is on hers.

Allie

Nope. I'm driving and parking my camper just fine. You'll be okay. One thing to take into consideration on a road trip, though. That's a lot of sitting. Bring some aspirin.

Quote from: Swanson777 on February 25, 2019, 09:10:02 AM
HRT isn't a necessity right? I'm scared to ever try it.
I used to be spatially retarded but I worked as a van driver for 5 years and I became extremely good at driving, to this day I am most comfortable on the road and backing up is second nature to me.
I also like having upper body strength, but I won't puff my chest at the gym like I used to. I find the shaved head male bodybuilder look to be totally repulsive.
I'm confused about it isn't it OK to keep the inherent "male" skills and talents, but have the sexiness and superior aesthetics of femininity, but you don't have to worry about periods? So it's like the best of both worlds? I think my path will be more of theatrical/glamorous presentation of female rather than all-out trying to live as one but, what do I know...

Swanson, like almost everything on here, HRT is a personal choice. In recent years my dysphoria has increased to the point it is significantly affecting my health, and I must do something to get it under control. For others it is as simple as just wanting to be closer to they identity, or pretty much anything in between, or no HRT at all. Depends on your goals and where you feel best.

I'm happy to learn my skills should be preserved, a little sad I will lose strength (but not as sad as my wife is!) Personally I have lived in sort of two worlds for most of my life, but I know I can only be truly comfortable in one. You find the place that is comfortable for you and embrace it, but don't be surprised if it changes!

Allie

Quote from: Allie Jayne on February 23, 2019, 06:12:04 AM
...I know there are a few trans truck drivers on this forum, so I guess they haven't suddenly been unable to back their rigs....

I'm a TG truck driver. I've been driving since 2006. I can still back my truck up!!! Maybe if I DO wind up losing the ability to drive a commercial vehicle then I can finally get into fashion! A girl can dream right?

Sophia

Nothing to do with driving but I have lost the ability to find ott blood and guts in films to be entertaining lol