Hormone effects relative to age of start

Comment by Gretta VanDrezen on January 25, 2012 at 1:14pm

Thanks for the great feedback Beth. I really appreciate your opinion.

Comment by Jessie Lynn Esme on January 25, 2012 at 5:19pm

I cannot comment on this in length as I have only been on HRT for the last three months and I am 36 I wish that I could have understood this and started earlier but as they say better late than never and I love the changes so far and will wait patiently for the rest. It is never to late to be yourself. Though caution and research is invaluable. Best of luck whatever you decide.

Comment by Suzy Harrison on January 25, 2012 at 6:37pm

I started HRT at the age of 54 - and the effects on my face and skin were pretty immediate and quite dramatic. So much so that within 6 months I had to go full time as people had started to wonder about the changes in my appearance. (That was 4 months earlier than planned0. The effect on my breasts were good but still less than desired and so I had breast augmentation 2 years after HRT - knowing that the breasts can grow for up to 5 years albeit at a slower rate than in the beginning.

 Was it worth it? – Oh yes. In fact, although I now have had SRS done – I think the hormones made more of a difference than anything else. You don’t walk around showing off your genitals all day (well I don’t) – but everyone sees your face. Hormones are a must.

Comment by Rachel King on January 25, 2012 at 10:14pm

The first question I asked myself was, " Self, why are you starting HRT?" and I replied, " Because I want more than anything in this world to live as woman, absolutely, totally, more than anything."

And that's the key.

So Gretta and anyone else contemplating this move, what is your answer to that question.

I understand the conundrum when a family is involved and the short odds are, you will lose the love and support ofmany of your family, the long odds are, you will retain the love and support of many of your family.

Lousy choice for the many.

But for those who can see the path they must take, an inevitable one.

I've never read or heard of a transwoman yet, who will say they are a better person for remaining as a male, yet I have constantly read of "males" who are emphatically better people when they allow their femme side to shine from transitioning.

I know this applies to me, I often was told, I was so much more liked as a female than I ever was  as male.

And then you progress where you are only seen as female.

It really is a heavenly feeling, trust me on that.

 

Perhaps I am reading what being transgender is about, wrongly.

My understanding of being transgender, is someone who identifies as a woman but is in the unfortunate position of having to live in the male form, not by choice but by necessity.

Nowadays there is a choice yet I constantly read about the woe is me, of losing the male performance.

Shudder.

Seldom do I see any words of how wonderful it is living as woman which I can tell you, is the most wonderful experience in life, yet male potency is the predominant topic.

Odd that.

Maybe it's to do with most post-ops finding it hard to relate, once they have succeeded in realising their dream and all they wish to do is continue with life and the reality it finally brings.

 

I began transition at 55 and I knew from the start I was never going to have " The Body" but nowadays, I have a figure and one I can wear a swimsuit in and not feel embarrassed about, so at 62 I can live with that.

Had I been in my 20's, I am sure my vanity would have shown through and I would have felt the need for more alterations but as you know, as we age, the ego becomes less and the vanity shrinks and we accept that looking good and being in shape is more important than looking supposedly bewdiful.

 

AS to a Human Growth Hormones, I don't take an Aspirin if I can help it. I make an exception with estrogen which though may not be the healthiest for my liver, it is vital to my well-being and does wonders for the skin complexion, shaving years off your look but it seems to me, if you live and eat healthy ( of which I am still a way from doing), why make somebody else rich, for possibly no gain.

Put that money in the piggy bank for something that's worthwhile........ you!!!  

I'll be interested in others comments but all I ever read is the great cop-out by the Manufacturer," may improve your health,etc....." dadedadedaaaaa.

Yeah right.

I don't like being conned

The one thing you learn above all others during transition, is you are the best person for you to rely on.

Regardless of all that goes on, you must make your own decisions.

To allow others to make them for you, will only continue a life of guilt and indecision which is no life at all, really.

Comment by Teresa H Halley on January 26, 2012 at 6:26am

I can only say go for it, I have had similar results as Suzy H. Am B cup & probably will not grow more. Thinner neck, face a bit fuller. Bottom has filled out by about 12 LBS, don't like the weight but I look much more proportional - went from size 8 pants to 10/12 (tops is a 12). Feet shrunk 1/2 US size. Feel much more at peace with self. Body hair very fine, no facial hair changes. AM 53 so a few more thought, so I'd say quit waiting...

Comment by Leann White on January 26, 2012 at 5:50pm

I am wondering how much to expect hormone treatment to affect, reduce body hair?

Comment by Traci O'Gara on January 27, 2012 at 12:54am

At the advanced age of 59, I began hormones!!!  Two + years downstream and I am absolutely thrilled about everything...I look like Cindy Crawford, have "DD" breasts, and a 24 inch waist!  NOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Seriously, the changes are many and all good...I went in with little expectation other than to be at peace finally and they have delivered!  I love my sense of clarity now...everything seems to make sense...there is no more T fueled anxiety, competitiveness, nor anger and it has all been replaced by the me that always wanted to manifest myself but did not in order to fulfill my male role in the eyes of the world...gawd, did that suck!  Other than electrolysis, I have chosen not to alter my body as I have  truly learned to like myself as I am.  Shoot, I'm 61, look in my 40s, and act like a hormonal 15 yr old!  What's not to like? (smile)  I did not do this for the sex or to turn heads in a male driven fantasy of what the perfect woman should look like...I did this for me!  Well, now I AM me, every bit of me and I am grateful for every single minute I'm alive...do it again?  Hell yes, only maybe 50 years sooner!!!  Learn to like yourself and you'll be blown away at how others will like you too...so do not fret about "how many", "how big", "how soon", "how fast" ,etc. and just enjoy the journey...you will be what you are, no more, no less, and that is perfect! (smile)

Best wishes always!

Traci  xoxo

Comment by Rachel King on January 27, 2012 at 7:35am

NOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That was a lousy thing to do Traci.

I was on the verge of high excitement, bordering on stimulae unheard of, when you stopped......

Stopped, sigh........

Back to the comics.

Go Zena, woman of all women............

Comment by Tamara Shawn Dawson on January 27, 2012 at 7:47am

I'm contemplating the same decision this year (and I'll be 50 this year). I face similar challenges with my current life and my family. But each day, I become more certain of where I need to be to be happy, and this would be a step in that direction. Good luck to you! Keep us updated pn your progress!

Comment by Gretta VanDrezen on January 27, 2012 at 9:22am

Girls, this is all great input!  And I thank you for every bit of it. 

Rachel, I think you best summarize the conundrum I am dealing with.  The probelm I have is that the choice is not so clear for me.  It has never been a black or white situation.  I have always had a male personna, and a female personna.  For the first half of my life, the male personna was dominant, and frankly, I was happy with that.  The female personna only peaked her head up on occasion...and I could deal with that dual situaion as long as they were seperate and distinct.  (No blending).  However, the balance of power is now in flux.  As much as I try to deny it, the female personna is now intruding on and impacting my male personna and life and family.  And so I am feeling that whether I want to or not, I must deal with this situaiton.  The issue for me is whether I deal with the situation with my current mind, or my mind altered by estrogin and the different perspective this will result in. 

Keep in mind, more than just my feelings, emotions, desires and future are in the mix here.  These decision will certainly significantly impact those I hold most dear in this world.  There are no good solutions, and I would certainly subjectate my personal desires/needs for those of my family, if I were able to do so.  But I am loosing that fight, one that I have been fighting for a long time.  Oh I do so envy those of you for whom the choices are so clear...and so evident from an early age.

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