Transitionning on Low Dose/ HRT still living as Male?

[Effervascence]

Hi

I'm 20 and ready to start HRT but would like to do it at a very low dose and keep that "low dosage" for a long time as I allow my body to get used to the hormones but most importantly to have minimal changes in a longer time period. This way, I can start HRT without being forced to socially "transition" since I would most likely still pass as male. PS: I'm not genderqueer and do not want to "semi-transition" using low dose hormones nor do I want to take them do ease my gender dysphoria. I just want to start it earlier without being forced to socially transition yet for family reasons. Once I am financially independent, I will "fully" transition.

My question is: Who has done low dose HRT? For what reasons have you done/considered it? What were your experiences? most importantly, how long have you been on low dose HRT until you didn't pass as male anymore (I know the changes are different for each individual but it's just to know what to expect). I've heard of some people being on low dose for more than 4 years and still passed and live as males and others who didn't pass as male after only a few months. What are your experiences?!

Thanks for answering !:)

[Dena]

I was full speed ahead and it was pretty easy to pass as male for a long time however it's not the same for everybody. It may help you to look at these threads.

https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,207785.0.html
https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,209589.0.html

[purplewuggybird]

Depending on your age hormones will have different effects. If you are younger, say, under 22 the changes might happen pretty fast. Perhaps the most noticeable change in people of all ages is the breast growth. If you are trying to not socially transition for a little bit and the breast growth is ramping up you can always use a binder


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[Jenna Marie]

I started on a very low dose just to be safe, and even that turned out to be too much, so for me a super low dose was also a "transitioning" dose. (If that makes sense - the endo planned to ramp it up originally, but then the liver tests suggested that I actually needed even *less.*) I was forced to come out at work at 3 months because I couldn't hide the changes, and by six months I couldn't convince anyone that I was male even in guy clothes and with a male ID. That experience may be a bit unusual, but it's why I advise people to always have a fallback plan; I had also planned to take HRT for a few months before telling anyone outside of my wife, and I was caught by surprise when that didn't work out.

(Also, I would strongly recommend against a binder, as it can damage developing breast tissue. That isn't a problem for people who don't *want* breasts, but...)

[Jacqueline]

I started low dose last February. I am 51 and started slowly (my endo is also conservative in starting). Using Spiro pills and Estradiol patches.

Reasons for low dose? I am not out at work. I only express for my therapy and group support meetings. There are a number of little changes. I don't think anyone would really recognize unless I were dressing, after nearly 7 months. I can't wear a t shirt alone anymore(maybe I could but two things, it is uncomfortable- tender- and it would look like I was overweight but only on my breasts). I have been surprised at the changes at what I think is a very low dose (softer skin, decrease and thinning of body hair, more calm and less angry, fat redistribution, breast buds and some growth, fewer aches and pains, fewer skin based dermatitus  outbreaks...) Still don't fail to pass in drab male mode.

I planned to jump dosage a little last May but was also experiencing far deeper lows than I ever had before. I think it is because between HRT and therapy I have been able to remove some self defensive numbing I had put up. I then could experience happiness in a way I never could before. However, removing the numbness also meant I experienced lows, lower than ever. My endo wanted me to try anti depressants and get stabelized before jumping my dose. I have been in a much more level spot for the past two months and she will now bump up my E.

With warmth,

Joanna

[kittenpower]

I was on HRT for 5 years before I went full time, as I didn't want to fully transition until I was able to have some FFS, but since you are only 20 y.o., you may have a rapid response (depending on how much your face and body has been masculinized from testosterone) from HRT, and may not be able to conceal the changes, but even if that were to happen, you wouldn't necessarily be forced to go full time, since you could opt for an androgynous presentation, even if people gendered you female. The takeaway is that you are the one making the decisions in regards to your transition, so don't let people push you into transitioning before you feel that you are ready to go there.

[RobynD]

Do it at your own pace. Low dose though... you never know until you try. I started getting immediate feminization from low dose, and i am a lot older than you, so everyone reacts different. My dosage was upped from low dose and even if i dress androgynously (my only real option, i don't own any male clothes) i get "mail fail" more than not.

I'm not sure if binders are a good idea or not, i have never tried them but ask your doc if you plan too. There are also plenty of minimizer and sports bras that flatten things out in a less drastic way.