I have a question...

As far as I understand, bones don't change their structure and they stay fixed for the rest of the person's life...

BUT... I've read somewhere else that bones have to remineralize so they can stay strong and useful. This is the reason why some people have osteoporosis: bones aren't rebuilt at the same rate they demineralize.

For example, when a male starts taking T blockers for a long time, there can be some health issues, specially with the bones (they demineralize and become fragile).

So I'm wondering... after a long time under HRT (let's say, 7 or 10 years), are bones somewhat changed by the new hormones? Will the bone structure suffer any changes at all if they're supposed to be reabsorbed and created?

As far as I understand it your bones do not change morphologically unless you start HRT very early on.

Alia is right, though some of us who start a bit later still get small changes. I started HRT at 18, but nothing has changed in terms of my skeletal structure, and I suspect nothing will. I just need to get on with life, living with what I have. It's difficult to accept at times, and a hard truth to swallow, but to be frank, we need to accept the unfortunate reality.

Oh well, that sucks...

I guess I'll have to wear a corset and find a way to start HRT soon before I turn 19

Yeah, it looks like I might need to reduce the size of my ribcage through corseting (ribcage corseting, rather than waist). Being barrel-chested doesn't help.

It is possible to increase bone reabsorption but the doctor I asked about it told me it's far to dangerous with the current hormone they use for it. The FDA only approved it for use with osteoporosis patients because after 2 years there is a very very high chance of developing Osteocarcinoma. She did tell me that it's maybe become more realistic to be used for altering bone structure once the hormone is bioidentical. The hormone is called teriparatide and apparently is used to promote rapid bone reabsorption and growth to strengthen/regrow the bones of osteoprosis patients.

Ossfication - the laying down of new bone material - is pretty much done by age 25. So, HRT can influence pelvic (and other) bone growth, but only in early transitioners. At 19 it still could be in the cards for you. Of course, genetics, nutrition, etc are a certainly a factor, irrespective of HRT.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ossification

In terms of your risk for osteoporosis, you do need a certain amount of hormones (either E or T) to best maintain bone density, along with exercise and good nutrition. That's why taking only T-blockers without E can lead to skeletal problems.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osteoporosis

I feel like I'm resorting to my old reasoning of "if you have no expectations, you'll always be pleased". Iceprincess, I'm not saying you have no hope, but your bone structure changes might not be anywhere near what you want. Caveat Emptor.

Quote from: In Limbo... on December 06, 2010, 01:56:24 AM
I feel like I'm resorting to my old reasoning of "if you have no expectations, you'll always be pleased". Iceprincess, I'm not saying you have no hope, but your bone structure changes might not be anywhere near what you want. Caveat Emptor.

She's right. After puberty, any changes would probably be so minimal as to be non-existent. I'm not sure what bones you're thinking of, but just about any feature there are ciswoman out there who have it. I had a larger overall bone structure as a female without much hip width and I looked normal. So called masculine features are also pretty common with taller women. And every woman has some less than perfect features. You'll learn how to downplay any 'flaws'.

Hi,
Bone is a living tissue and continually 'grows' but once we have reached a point where we no longer increase our height etc, bones do not generally change their shape. Yes they continue to grow, releasing and absorbing calcium in particular and yes they change  but possibly not in the way you are enquiring. For example at 19 if/when you go on HRT you are unlikely to develop a female pelvic bone shape, it's too late. But your bones will continue to 'grow' and that is a problem for females in particular, but also men, in developing osteoporosis. Most MtF programs suggest a bone density  screen yearly and to boost your calcium intake.

It is the end of the bones, the lumpy bits you see on the skeletal bones that have an area just before the lumpy bit that allows them to lengthen, once that area closes down then they no longer grow longer. Typically in females about 14- 16 yrs old and is linked to development of the  full menstrual cycle. In males about 18 after the final growth spurt.

Just as an aside; this is why it isn't usually a big deal for a child to break a bone, it grows back. But you don't want them to break at the growth area, because it can stop it. There are hormones know that can help in those situations BTW.

Not sure if corset training does a lot to bones, yes it will mould your rib cage but I thought that the movement of internal organs and the loss of muscle was also involved.

I think you may find that people who are corset trained for body shape become physically dependent on the corset because they need it to supply the support they have lost from the musculature. Not a criticism just a comment.


Cindy

Well this is quite depressing news, however some of ya'll came out fine on the other end xD.  I mean some of ya'll did have support from your family hopefully, much better than from my own experience.  Where to start....  Well I found out at about 14 that I was trans even though I was never able to tell it to my family, I was made fun of at school as well as in the home.  I weighed about 90-140 pounds no higher than 4' 6"-5' 4" in high school because I didn't hit puberty till I was 19.  From what I know of that's some kind of blessing in disguise even if it's a bit... odd.  I guess the point where I was disowned was in high school from part time crossdressing throughout my college career.  Puberty had a strange effect on me; I mean in the end since I wasn't able to start hormone therapy much less get a therapist, I did grow a bit after the effects of football catching up to me.  I grew to 5' 11" weighing in at 190 pounds finally after turning 21.  I am soon to be 22 and honestly I'm not sure if it was best using that money I saved up for-for college or for therapy.  It probably would have been best I did it for the later, but having no family nor other means to support myself college had to be it over therapy.  I do regret my decision, but living in Tennessee with no Gender-Identity Discrimination laws.... it's probably not best.  I want a job and I would honestly give anything to reverse time or even start therapy now, but it would mean nothing I have to keep up my progress and graduate.  I mean MTSU is a pretty big school and having no home means quite a bit of an issue.  I feel that this would also affect my housing conditions indefinitely.

But I am getting off topic, and that is quite all my fault.  I didn't know the bones stay that way indefinitely at least till your older age like 80-90 where you start to shrink.  I mean somehow even though I don't grow facial hair at all with my hormones, I also have some curvy areas where it raises questions.  With my Adam's Apple as small as it is I am able to change the pitch of my voice much easier, but something regarding my hands and broad shoulders is the despairing matter that is always on my mind.  I will just move on and try not to worry about it so much.

Wish the best of luck for everyone here <333
Cheers!
-Raye

Hello Raye,

I do empathize with you I grew up in an eastern Tennessee mountain family (Knoxville was like NYC to us). I know from personal experience it can be hard to deal with your problem in environments like that, but you should realize you are on your own now and only you have to live your life and suffer with GID, if you do not seek therapy/treatment you are the only one who will suffer, not your family, not your friends, not your neighbors, only you!
If you are worried about the whole "HONOR & PRIDE" thing like a lot Tennesseans are force fed from the womb then let me tell you in your situation don't, your GID will not get better it will only get worse the longer you leave it untreated.

I am telling you this because I was worried about the same things that you are worrying about when I was your age and all it did was cause me to delay treatment based on fear (which was a HUGE mistake). I reckon you should find yourself a good therapist in one of the larger cities Knoxville/Nashville, even if you have to make a trip it will be worth it!


As far as your bone structure is concerned yes it can be depressing at some times, I am very small (short & thin) but I have very long hands (not man hands, but my fingers are long) I was always so worried about this, but when I brought this up my therapist said the most amazing thing "So what, you are a woman with long hands", and you know what, she was right! I recently seen my mother & brother for the first time in years and I realized that my mother has the same type of hands that I do (my brother's look completely different typical man-hands) and her shoe size is the same as mine even though she is several inches shorter! So don't worry so much about the size of your hands/feet this tends to be something that other trans-people bring up more than cis-person. Immature cis-girls may make fun of big hands, but that doesn't mean they will immediately assume you are trans.


I hope this helps, btw where are you from?

What if when you started you just turned 15. Could you expect bone changes?

Potentially!

It depends. You could no doubt stop some more masculine effect (Or cause more masculine effects for FTM) if you started at 15.

But there's no guarantee for instance you'd gain wide hips. but theres the chance still there.

YAY!!! I also forgot 2 mention i was on blockers sence i was 13 about 14.
P.S i am Trans Female