I am almost 5 months into HRT (patch & spiro).  I haven't seen much in the way of changes.  I got some breast growth in the first couple of months.  But I haven't seen anything else change.  Can I espect more changes or is this all I get.  It makes me feel a bit depressed that there isn't other changes occurring.  I know that since I am in the older bracket (over 50 age group)  that will affect any changes.  Are there any tips on what I can do?

I think you need to back away a bit and look at a pic from now and then look again at yourself in 3 months.. The changes will be more pronounced than you may think.


but what do I know.

  I felt the same way you did... Waiting for the effects of HRT is kindof like watching grass grow :-) Rest assured, though that the meds are doing their work. I know it's useless for me to tell you to be patient; I remember feeling the same way you did. All I can say is that there will come a time in the not-so-distant future when you're going to look at yourself in the mirror and be absolutely amazed at what you see.
 
  The changes WILL happen! Enjoy the little discoveries you make about yourself because of them.

<hugs>

Jessica

I have been on HRT for 15 months, I also had breast growth early that slowed, down.. However the effects I saw after that are my skin hair and muscle. I was active duty military when I started and in good shape. I could definitely tell I was losing muscle as things where getting harder to lift/career. Also my skin was definitely changing as I was getting comments about looking pale. We all look first to our chest, however full development takes at least 3 years. In looking back at old pictures, my skin was a far more important change for fitting into the world. There has also been very positive effects in other areas, some of the best in terms of my emotional well being.
As for estradiol I started on an inject-able, three months ago I switched to a tablet that I swallowed. About a month ago I heard the same thing about taking it sublingually and switched. The new method makes me nauseous for about 3o minutes, but it feels like it is working better again. But I have to evidence of that, just a feeling. Emotionally I had almost no changes due to starting, I do cry a little easier, and in general I would say I act more like I used to when I was inebriated, but honestly I think that is all because I no longer am keeping a tight rein on myself to prevent the girl from slipping out. I did have a scare at my six month blood test, my liver results came back 6 times the high limit. I stopped all my medicine while we retested. I had a HUGE emotional effect then, I was a wreck. Pretty much everything emotional from a bad PMS. It turned out to be a fluke lab result, but the sudden stop proved to me they where having an effect, even if my chest doesn't seem to be showing it. I hope my experiences help