Hi,
I noticed reading all the various threads on hrt that there is a lot of differences in what people are taking. I'm confused on a few hrt topics and I'm hoping maybe I can get them cleared them up.

1) Some people are on some form of estrogen alone (no T-blocker). I was under the impression that this is counter productive, as your body will naturally produce more T and cancel out the effects of just E. Is this true? If not, can you take just E and become more fem (softer skin, hair reduction, breast growth, etc)? Can you maintain normal male 'functionality'? What are the effects of just taking E alone (no T blocker)?

2) Will hrt reduce chest hair? I've got a fairly dark 'treasure trail' and an associated t-shape around the chest area. I'm not super hairy all over, but the hair I do have is kind of dark. Would I need to have that removed, or will it simply fall out? And then if I stop taking hrt, will it grow back?

3) Is anyone using any topical ointments? I've read on some sites that it's recommended. What effects does this have?

4) Does hrt have an effect on your lifespan? I've seen literature that indicates women (on average) live longer then men b/c of E. I wonder if this would hold true for men as well? However, that seems counter intuitive to the logic of redefining your chemical balance.

Sorry if these questions have already been asked.
Thanks!!
~Jasmine

1) I think taking just estrogens will femaninse you to some extent, but not as successfully as when you use a T blocker at the same time. In the past in order to counteract T you had to take big doses of E which is really really hard on your body. I think it is pretty unusual for people to just take E these days (unless they have had their testicals removed or similar, in which case you don't need T blockers).
There is no garauntee that you will retain male funcitonality no matter what you take, whether it is just a tblocker, E or a combination. Some do, some don't.

2) Over time it will reduce chest hair. Some people end up with none. Some end up with some. Takes time.

3) I don't know anything about these. I think most of them are quakery. But some people get noticible results.

4) I think it does. In my case I'm not contemplating suicide anymore. That is a greater lifespan right there. Also living under stress is not good for you. Another thing to consider is that are you really living if you are not living fully as yourself? I always felt dead before taking steps to be more myself. I'm alive now!

I'm taking spiro and the endo said it will reduce my chances of heart disease (on account of not retaining much salt). So in that sense I might live longer. Also E tends to make fat go to your butt and hips more than your belly, which is a healthier place for fat to sit. This also reduces the risks of heart disease.

Off course there are potential risks like kidney failure, cancer. These might limit your lifespan.

Hope this is helpful. If you do go down this route your endo will be able to answer all your questions.

There are just my opinions.  I am not a doctor, nor do I play one on TV.   

1) Some people are on some form of estrogen alone (no T-blocker). I was under the impression that this is counter productive, as your body will naturally produce more T and cancel out the effects of just E. Is this true? If not, can you take just E and become more fem (softer skin, hair reduction, breast growth, etc)? Can you maintain normal male 'functionality'? What are the effects of just taking E alone (no T blocker)?

Some are started on Estrogen and later an Anti-androgen is added.  But being on E only I don't think will have much affect because it will be battling the T.  But I could be wrong, gods know I have been before. 

2) Will hrt reduce chest hair? I've got a fairly dark 'treasure trail' and an associated t-shape around the chest area. I'm not super hairy all over, but the hair I do have is kind of dark. Would I need to have that removed, or will it simply fall out? And then if I stop taking hrt, will it grow back?

My experience.  Body hair will lighten over time, in both color and coarseness.  But I still shave after 22 months on HRT, but it is lighter.

3) Is anyone using any topical ointments? I've read on some sites that it's recommended. What effects does this have?

I use a topical Estrogen and Progesterone when I cycle.  It seems to work, but I also take Estrogen in pill form daily.

4) Does hrt have an effect on your lifespan? I've seen literature that indicates women (on average) live longer then men b/c of E. I wonder if this would hold true for men as well? However, that seems counter intuitive to the logic of redefining your chemical balance.

My Opinion is yes it does extend life, because without it I would not be here.  Will it extent my life beyond the expiration date of this body?  I guess I will never know, because things have changed.

1) It is a good place to start, by adding E and then eventually a blocker. I developed rather nicely on just E. I had some things come up in my blood tests that pushed of having a blocker for a bit but was eventually put on one.

2) HRT (m->f) will not greatly impact body hair.

3) No experience.

4) A study that was done determined that transsexuals typically live within the average lifespans (was US based I believe) once suicide was factored out.

1) My doc is ramping me up on a blocker, moving to E, then adding P as needed. E alone is indeed counteracted by the T and the amount that you'll have to take to make anything work right will be very hard on your liver unless you're doing injections and even then will likely hurt ya.

2) Your mileage may vary as with all things HRT. I've noticed less hair just from blocker.

3) Topicals for HRT are typically only for after development as far as I have seen. Development is typically most effectual with injections. Pills are also used but these are filtered by the liver so you have to take more and it is chemically less effective. If you're talking about topicals for hair? There's only one and it's well known.

4) Previous posts answer this very well.

Thanks for your replies, girls! It's very informative for me!

edit
As for question four, I found an article in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolim entitled, "Long-Term Treatment of Transsexuals with Cross-Sex Hormones: Extensive Personal Experience", that concludes, "cross-sex hormone treatment of transsexuals seems acceptably safe over the short and medium term". Interesting read...

When I first started Hormones, I was just on E the E totally kicked T's butt and won . I was later put on Spiro and thats all I've been on. My doctor doesn't believe in Progesterone.

Research in rats, giving estrogen increased lfiespan.
The main increase is due to better lipid levels and heart health as far as I know. Maybe also brain protection effects of estrogen.

Myself,
Do you have a link to that article?
~Jasmine

http://www.reproduction-online.org/cgi/reprint/14/1/113.pdf

on 15th February the endo told me my estro levels were same as post-menopausal woman and my estowas so low it hardly registered...all the liver tests were fine...I use Estrogel and Spiro