I'm So Happy

[Guest Kaytlyn]

HI everyone,

I am not on here enough but wanted to share my excitement. I was at my therapist office yesterday and the taboo subject of hormones was brought up to my wife from my therapist. My wife is wonderful and understanding but she has become really upset when I try to talk to her about going on HRT. So my therapist asked her point blank what her fears were. My wife was really stuck to answer this and only could muster a "it seems so soon". My therapist then said to her "you do understand that this has been going on for 44 years?" to which my wife had nothing to say except "then I really want you to write a letter and get (HER) reffered". I almost burst out crying for joy. My therapist reffered me to a trans friendly OB/GYN, who use certain medical coding in which some if not all of the presciptions get paid for by my insurance. She only sees transwomen on Tuesdays and Thursdays, next Monday at my therapists office we will make a conference call and talk to the doctor with my therapist right there. She likes to do this if there are any questions or concerns that the doctor may have.

It is finally going to happen I am soooooooo HAPPY!!!!! In private yeterday I gave the biggest yahoo I could muster, I didn't want to seem too zealous to my wife. Although she has enjoyed the wonderful hormones all her life!

Can anyone tell me what to expect in the first couple of weeks after starting HRT, I know everyone is different but if you could share your personal experience in the first few weeks I would sure appreciate that, Also are there certain hormones in your own lives that may be of benefit to talk to the OB doctor about, progesterone, prolactin, HGH, anything else that has been especially helpful?

Thanks and Hugs,

Kaytlyn

[Guest JaniceW]

Kaytlyn,

First and most importantly, CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!! Welcome to the Womanhood Express!

Your first question about what to expect in the first few weeks, well as you said yourself YMMV (Your Mileage May Vary) but my experience in the first few weeks was a general sense of peace. The level of tension I felt was greatly reduced. That was about all I "felt" or noticed in the beginning weeks but it was and still is wonderful.

As for the "other" hormones let me try to give you a little bit of biology information about them. First, different doctors will follow different regimes of medications based on their experience and professional judgement. Among the drugs used are;

Estradiol: A very potent form of estrogen that is chemical equivalent to natural human hormones.

Premarin: A congugated estrogen preparation (a mixed of different estrogens like estradiol, estriol, etc.) deriver from pregnant mare's urine.

Spironolactone (Aldactone): A common diurectic that has a side efefect of surpressing testerone and it is used in HRT to supress testerone.

Finesteride: A hair loss drug that also has a side effect of surpressing testosterone, sometimes used as an alternative or supplement to spiro.

Progesterone: Another female hormone that regulates the menstrual cycle and ovulation. It is often used in HRT to more closely emulate the natural female hormonal cycle. Some doctors feel that it acts in breast development as well but that is controversial.

Prolactin: A female hormone that induces milk production in the breast. It is often seen as a sign of hormonal problems when its level is high in a woman who is not lactating, an unexplained high level of prolactin sometimes indicates a problem wiht the putitary gland.

HGH: Human Growth Hormone is a natural hormone that promotes growth of tissue in humans. It is available as a supplement but it is extremely expensive and is generally only used in children who have growth problems.

I hope this info is helpful.

[Carolyn Marie]

That is a fantastic story, Kaytlyn! I do hope you gave your wife a big hug for her support and love. It takes a lot for a spouse to do; I know, because mine has been great, too. You are very lucky.

Don't expect a lot at first. It takes time, and depends also on the combination of drugs and dosages. My doctor started me out slowly, but even so, changes didn't take long to notice.

There is the emotional satisfaction, of course, which you will probably notice right away. Then you may notice your body hair not growing back so fast after shaving, and your skin getting softer. Within a month, I noticed breast buds forming, and within 2-3 months, I could definitely see changes there, as could my wife. Another thing I noticed within the first three weeks, was the almost complete cessation of spontaneous activity down below. That was something that I really liked.

It may still take a few weeks, as you need to schedule your appointment and wait for blood test results to come back. But it will pass quickly. Good luck, hon.

HUGS

Carolyn Marie

[Guest Kaytlyn]

Thanks Janice,

I really appreciate the information, My therapist also said she has seen a reduction in depression and anxiety fairly quickly after starting HRT. I already have noticed like a placebo almost in that my stress levels are already coming down. I feel more relaxed and happy. I was so hoping to have my partner and best friend finally see that I need this. It was also the first time she refered to me as "her or she". Finally some validation for who I am. I still have to wear the man suit for a while but at least the inner me can feel more comfortable being "me" around my spouse.

Huggs to you,

Kaytlyn

[Guest Kaytlyn]

Thanks Carolyn Marie,

I appreciate all of the support and information. I am just bubbling over with happiness and anticipation. I cannot wait to get the posion T dropped down and start the wonderful E. I do realize that things take time, my therapist was great in helping to explain to my spouse that this is genuine "Gender Idnetity Disorder" which unfortunately still is the classification in medical and psychiatric communities despite growing evidence that there is a biological basis. Anyway she told my wife that after almost six months of evaluations and talking she has no doubts as to the diagnosis. My therapist is so great she did not push this but could see that I really need to keep moving forward towards the ultimate goal. The absolute best part was the validation from my wife refering to me as "Her" it made me so happy to realize she is finally understanding what this means to me.

Huggs to you,

Kaytlyn