Hi.  Quick question:

Can a much-older MTF (age 53) expect any reasonable degree of physical changes on HRT?

I realize that this depends largely on genetics.  I just feel that I'm too old, have waited too long and, accordingly, stand little chance of having any meaningful physical change on HRT.  Sorry to sound woebegone, but that's just the way I feel.

My gender therapist has already formally diagnosed me as MTF, has recommended HRT, has written the necessary letter, has told me which physician she recommends for me, etc.  We're just waiting for my health insurance to take effect on my new job.  That will take effect in about 2-3 weeks. 

I DO expect great emotional and attitudinal changes!  I'm not so sure about the physical ones; hence, I seek your opinions.  Your thoughts, please.

Thank you!   

There are many here who started later and had different degrees of success. I therefore state that it is possible.

Really -- your mileage may vary.  I don't know your genetics, your family history, how badly (or not) you were ravaged by testosterone in your first puberty, and a whole host of other factors.  What breast size is/was your mother and your sisters?  Do you have a brow ridge?  And on and on.

It's a crapshoot.  DON'T try to speed up the change or influence your outcome by mega-dosing on T-blockers and estrogen.

Concentrate on the internals.  Is your sense of well-being improved on the hormone regimen?  Concentrate on letting go of all the things you learned to do in order to avoid sanctions by those in society who appointed themselves to police your transgressions of the gender boundaries.

Living well can help make up any deficiencies in whatever 'ideal feminine physique' you may now hold in your mind's eye.  Too many women are already dealing with the effects of comparing themselves to manufactured ideals and developing poor self-image.

Karen

What Karen said.

I started more than a decade later than you did.  I've been on hormones for less than five months and already can see physical differences.  Breasts have begun to form (and be tender ) and my skin has softened.  I think I see some rounding of my hips but that may be my imagination.  I haven't gained any weight but have more of a belly below the waistline than I did.  I think it's really too early to see much more than that physically.  The changes are faster than during a normal puberty but they still are very slow.

The attitudinal, emotional, psychological, etc. changes have been more pronounced, but that isn't what you were asking.

As in most of the rest of life, there are no guarantees and your mileage may vary.

- Kate

Thank you, everyone, for your kind and honest feedback, especially Karen and K8.

Karen:  I will definitely concentrate on the "internals."  That's what I'm eager to experience!  Also, I would never do any dosing other than what the physician recommends.  It would be foolhardy to do otherwise, I'm aware.  Thanks for your advice.

K8:   You inspire me, Kate!  Thanks for making a somewhat-younger sister's day! 

Thanks, all!   

It really does depend on the individual.  I'm in my mid forties and my doctor advised me that although the changes are not going to be as drastic as they would be if I were in my mid twenties, there most definitely will be some and enough to be significant.  Good Luck!

Donna 

Quote from: DonnaC on August 25, 2009, 08:20:39 AM
It really does depend on the individual.  I'm in my mid forties and my doctor advised me that although the changes are not going to be as drastic as they would be if I were in my mid twenties, there most definitely will be some and enough to be significant.  Good Luck!

Donna

That's great, Donna!  I hope you have major changes!

My gender counselor, who has been a gender counselor for nearly 30 years and has seen LOTS of transitions, told me that the changes may be profound even at my age.  Oh, my!  I don't want to be Dolly Parton, but I don't want to be flat-chested and straight-hipped either!

Let me know how it goes for you, and thanks again!   

Quote from: LaceyLynne on August 25, 2009, 02:57:11 PM
That's great, Donna!  I hope you have major changes!

My gender counselor, who has been a gender counselor for nearly 30 years and has seen LOTS of transitions, told me that the changes may be profound even at my age.  Oh, my!  I don't want to be Dolly Parton, but I don't want to be flat-chested and straight-hipped either!

Let me know how it goes for you, and thanks again!   

My counselor has a similar level of experience, and has worked in gender confirmation surgery here in the UK.

She advised me to expect the unexpected if I started...like Donna says there really are no rules in this.

Based on the effect of the few low level OTC soy herbals I took over the last year, she thinks if I as much looked at a real HRT tab I would gain a cup size...

Good Luck



Chrissty

Quote from: Chrissty on August 25, 2009, 04:13:41 PM
My counselor has a similar level of experience, and has worked in gender confirmation surgery here in the UK.

She advised me to expect the unexpected if I started...like Donna says there really are no rules in this.

Based on the effect of the few low level OTC soy herbals I took over the last year, she thinks if I as much looked at a real HRT tab I would gain a cup size...

Good Luck



Chrissty

Chrissty, may you gain two cup sizes!  By the way, you're one of my faves here at Susan's.  The British are amazing people.  You've got a young white soul singer named Joss Stone who I think is amazing.  Of course, the U.K. offers so much more!  I'd love to tour the U.K. sometime.  That would be great!

Kindly keep me posted of your progress!  I'm curious what HRT will do for you!  Cheers!   

Quote from: LaceyLynne on August 25, 2009, 08:25:44 PM
Chrissty, may you gain two cup sizes!  By the way, you're one of my faves here at Susan's.  The British are amazing people.  You've got a young white soul singer named Joss Stone who I think is amazing.  Of course, the U.K. offers so much more!  I'd love to tour the U.K. sometime.  That would be great!

Kindly keep me posted of your progress!  I'm curious what HRT will do for you!  Cheers!   

Awww..thanks Lacey'...*blush* 

The UK is still a beautiful country, but you may have to look a little harder to find us Brits these days, particularly in London

Touring is a good idea, a lot of folk miss so much by staying in the city..

..and, as I'm still holdin' out on formal transition...you may also have to wait a while to find out about my HRT results 

..but I'm sure you will be just fine 



Chrissty

You're very welcome Lacey Lynne.  Another issue to consider in your development is your genes.  If your mother and other female relatives were well endowed, there's a good chance that you will be as well.  Like Chrissty, I've been taking phyto-estrogens (soy, black cohosh) and have had some success, but I know that they don't work for everyone.     

Quote from: DonnaC on August 26, 2009, 08:52:45 AM
You're very welcome Lacey Lynne.  Another issue to consider in your development is your genes.  If your mother and other female relatives were well endowed, there's a good chance that you will be as well.  Like Chrissty, I've been taking phyto-estrogens (soy, black cohosh) and have had some success, but I know that they don't work for everyone.     

Donna, thank you so much for your encouraging words.  I considered the phyto-estrogen route myself.  At my age, however, I opted to go by the established system, get expert and competent counseling from a longtime pro in the field and be referred to a doctor for actual hormone replacement therapy. 

I'm adopted and no have no idea whatsoever about my natal parents.  At my age, I doubt that hormone replacement therapy will make me into a Dolly Parton, but I don't want to be a "geek of a freak" either.  Time will tell.  I'm hopeful.  Also, I'm looking for the emotional effects of hormone replacement therapy as the most important at this stage in life. 

Thanks again, and may everything go well for you.  Keep me posted, please!   

You're very welcome Lacey Lynne.  I'm sure that you'll get the results that you want.  Please keep me posted.  I'll keep you posted on my results as well.

Hugs,

Donna

Quote from: LaceyLynne on August 26, 2009, 10:52:39 AM
I'm looking for the emotional effects of hormone replacement therapy as the most important at this stage in life. 

I'm doing HRT - a combination of estrogen and an anti-androgen - under a physician's care.  The most immediate effect (it kicked in about day 3) was the anti-androgen.  I felt completely at peace with myself for the first time in my life.  It has made me somewhat asexual, but at my age that's not necessarily a bad thing.

The effects of the estrogen are more subtle.  I get weepy more easily and have a much wider range of emotions, from joy to sadness, but I'm not sure if that is the hormones or because at long last I am free.  I am also much more chatty and cheerful but, again, I don't know that that's the hormones.   Regardless of the cause, I love it.

Good luck, Lacey Lynne. 

- Kate

Quote from: K8 on August 26, 2009, 06:32:28 PM
I'm doing HRT - a combination of estrogen and an anti-androgen - under a physician's care.  The most immediate effect (it kicked in about day 3) was the anti-androgen.  I felt completely at peace with myself for the first time in my life.  It has made me somewhat asexual, but at my age that's not necessarily a bad thing.

The effects of the estrogen are more subtle.  I get weepy more easily and have a much wider range of emotions, from joy to sadness, but I'm not sure if that is the hormones or because at long last I am free.  I am also much more chatty and cheerful but, again, I don't know that that's the hormones.   Regardless of the cause, I love it.

Good luck, Lacey Lynne. 

- Kate

Oh, Kate!

Good for you!!!

I'll be 54 when hormone replacement therapy actually commences, so if I end up asexual, well, so what, right?

My gender therapist said to expect the very effects you describe!  In fact, she described them in almost mythic terms!  Kate, I'm both scared and thrilled at the same time!  Goodness!

Please, DO keep me posted on your own progress!  Thanks again!