As I contemplate HRT I wonder what changes I'm going to face and read all the forums where other girls talk about what happened to them.  The interesting thing is that I notice changes all the time...and I'm not on HRT.   Reports are subjective so I wonder how much is real and how much is a placebo effect.

Every since I started coming out to people and more freely expressing myself I've gotten much less aggressive.  I don't feel bottled up. I have so much less anxiety.  I used to get little sweaty flashes all day long form anxiety.  I am pretty calm over the last couple of months.

I feel like my eyelashes are longer and my lips fuller and nose smaller.  I'm trying to see the girl in me all the time.  My eyes seem greener.

My skin is much better. Since deciding to become as female as I can get I lost weight and have been eating well. I've also been moisturizing and washing my face more to remove make-up.

I've been much more connected with people.  I notice people more, am more prone to hug, and more engaging. I want to be knowable.

I keep my body shaved and have been using lotion.  My skin feels touchable.   

I've been shaving my body and it seems like it grows back more slowly than it did the last time I tried.

Anyway, I'm not on HRT but feel all of these changes just from the notion of transition.  I'm sure that I'm going to build up the effects of HRT in my mind like crazy.

Does it matter if you're taking a placebo if it does what you need it to?

I believe that there is a definite placebo effect with HRT. I think that people attribute a lot of the initial changes they experience to HRT when it's their attitude and confidence that are really making the difference.
Hormones do make a difference but it's many tiny effects that add up to being a big effect overall and it takes time. However, by taking some action, like swallowing a hormone pill, you are moving forward in your transition and that has a profound effect. It also has an effect on how you perceive yourself. I doubt that your eyelashes are longer or your nose smaller but your letting yourself see yourself in a different way. If you take care of your skin of course it will be softer.

Like you I'm not as aggressive and don't have as much anxiety but I think it's the hormones for me. In the end I don't care as long as I'm not as aggressive and don't have as much anxiety.

Hi japple

There is a very definite placebo effect. It is strong in many different areas. In depression for example people often feel better as soon as they are on medication, yet it usually takes 4-6 weeks to have a chemical effect.

In accepting ourselves we do calm the beast.  Now you are willing and able to accept yourself  as female, then the brain kicks in.  Yes I finally accept myself as female, so my femininity starts to come through the armour I have worn. You no longer worry about feminine gestures, you put on face cream, you start to look after your skin, and enjoy it .

But then when you start on HRT to boosts the effect. ENJOY.

Cindy