HRT with Breast Development

[Raven1981]

Hello All:

 

I was just wondering if I can get any average estimate on how long it takes for breast development when on HRT.  I have started taking Spiro and estradiol on January 20th 2018 and just wanted to find out from everyone when they roughly started to develop and when?  I know everyone is different, but a good rough time line would be nice.  I am really hoping for a nice average C cup size.  I know my mother and sister are both C cups and not very big C, but just average.

 

I am just really looking forward to having real breast instead of always using my breast forms.  On the plus side of things, I have noticed that since I have been on HRT, that I have lost some weight in my mid-section and when stepping on the scale, I am 20 lbs. lighter.

 

Hope to hear back

 

Amy 

[MaryEllen]

Hello Amy,

You should start to see some development within 2-3 months. Perhaps sooner. You may also notice some tenderness too.  It takes a cis girl at least 3 years to achieve full breast growth so you should expect to develop about the same. Nope, they don't burst forth overnight.   The general rule of thumb is that you will end up one cup size smaller than your mother but this isn't etched in stone. Hope this helps.

 

MaryEllen

[TessaOKC]

Hi Amy,

 

I agree with MaryEllen. Your breasts should already be getting sore and I definitely noticed a change in the 4th month. My mom is a C cup and I am a solid B after being on HRT for three years. I am also on Spiro and Estradiol.

 

Tess

[jae bear]

Hi Amy,

 I would have to second what I see posted here, I’m on the same meds although I do enjoy about a week or more of progesterone every month, that stuff will make you ravenous, however that 20 pounds might find its way back somehow. I’m almost a year now, and I find that the tenderness is almost all gone away but there’s definitely still activity, always itchy. I’m due for another blood test so got to check the levels you know... always check with your endocrinologist and do regular bloodwork to make sure your levels are right that’s the key and time, time is definitely the factor oh how I wish things would spring forth overnight.  Wait, strike that, I just wish I’d wake up as a chubby girl. We need more magic in this world.

Squishy hugs,

Jae

[Raven1981]

Hello All:

 

Thank you for the advice.  I know that I go back and see my doctor in March and will need to get labs done a week before so we can go over the results.

 

I have notice an itching around my breast and thought it was because of me wearing my breast forms.  Also I have notice that I did have a slight pain where it felt like it was on the bones, but when I put my breast on, the pain almost went away and felt comfortable.

 

Thank You

 

Amy

[Jani]

Amy once your breasts start to grow they will become mildly painful and if you bump anything onto your chest you will certainly know it.  But that pain will eventually fade as well.  The data that MaryEllen states is what most of us find.  Personally I am much smaller than my mother and sisters but I have never carried much body fat.   When I asked my Doctor (a specialist at Fenway Health in Boston) about Progesterone he said there is a clear link to cancer and the that any growth would be fat tissue and not breast tissue, meaning it would not necessarily be permanent.  Having had cancer removed from my body and being very lean I declined.    As we say in many instances, your results may vary.  I'm sure you'll be happy with whatever the boob-fairy brings!

 

Jani  

 

[Raven1981]

Hello Jani:

 

Thank you for the advice.  I know how my doctor that I go see does NOT recommend the oral estradiol as it was explained to me that the oral has a higher percent  on blood clots.  Right now I have opt to do the patches. 

 

My doctor said that the hormones normally put weight on, but have notice that I have been losing weight.  So I am happy there.  I am about average normal for a 6'2" individual.  Then of course, both myself and my doctor and really watching everything very closely since I am also a 10 year cancer survivor.

 

Thank You

 

Amy

[Charlize]

Like you i am on a topical E.  For some period of time i used patches which i found were difficult to keep on.  Then i used a cream and presently i use a spray.  Dr. McGinn at the Papillion Center is my doctor.  She prefers topical E as it is dramatically safer and the results are the same as oral or injections.  

As to the "ouchies".....i kinda miss the ache but the pain with even a small bump was rather intense.  I wore a well padded bra for protection.  

Enjoy the process.  At least we aren't forced to go back to middle school to go through the changes with all those pressures as well.  Of course we have our own difficulties.

 

Hugs,

 

Charlize

[jae bear]

I kinda miss the ouchies too... I've been loosing so much weight so fast my little bumps under the surface softened along with all of me shrinking. I don't know if that weight loss is messing with my hormone levels at all, but I am going for a blood test soon to find out. There is so much data out there on the pro vs con of progesterone, some say it's best to mimic cis women cycles, some say you don't need it. others say it prevents cancer as a growth regulator, and some say it sets you backward as it is an anti estrogen, my doctor cant even keep up with it all. We only go over the medical reviews from 1990 and up, but they don't corroborate any data at all. I only recently added it to my routine, personally I think it slowed things down and the ouchies left right away, but the whole cause and effect thing is not really relevant when you are going through a long and changing process. I'm just going to give it a year and see what develops (literally). Oh, and I have been setting traps for that boob fairy, she found my daughters room easy enough, starting to think I should catch her and make a deal or two...

squishy hugs-

Jae

[jae bear]

whoops! completely forgot to mention that I still use the estradot patches under a couple wallgreens pain patches that look like fabric duct tape and smell like bengay (works nice when my hips are hurting too). Seals the little buggers off and keeps them dry, I don't have any trouble with them as long as they get stuck on a clean dry skin surface an hour or so after I shower. They do leave a sticky residue around the tape perimeter when removed, but I found it comes off easy if you rub it back and forth under your finger and try to roll it off rather than pick it off. I also forgot to say that the progesterone make you a little loopy for the first hour after taking it, almost like half a pain pill (I can't stand pain meds, hate the feeling) but that might have something to with the fact that 15 minutes after I take it all you will see is my big butt sticking out past the fridge door as I demolish anything I can find!

Big hugs-

Jae

[Jani]

My doctor didn't recommend oral either so I'm on patches too Amy.  Don't count on weight gain as it doesn't always work that way.  I have always struggled to put weight on and nothing has changed since I started hormones.  If you suffered any depression, this might lift somewhat when you start which may contribute to better eating habits and hence some weight gain.  If you are on spiro just remember to drink a lot of water.  Its hard at first but your body will adjust.  

 

Jani    

[jae bear]

I agree with Jani, I was always grumpy, bummed out and mildly depressed before my hormones leveled out on E... It didn't happen right away, but I feel smooth and quiet in my head now, and where things would have sent me raging before I can calmly discuss them and find purpose. I did put on probably 20 or more pounds in '17 but that is more my fault than the E's fault, I have no metabolism and love to eat with no will power most of the time... Bad combination.

Where's my chocolate?

Jae

[Gwen]

16 hours ago, Jani423 said:

I have never carried much body fat.   When I asked my Doctor (a specialist at Fenway Health in Boston) about Progesterone he said there is a clear link to cancer and the that any growth would be fat tissue and not breast tissue, meaning it would not necessarily be permanent.  Having had cancer removed from my body and being very lean I declined. I'm sure you'll be happy with whatever the boob-fairy brings!

Good for me to read your comments, Jani. We seem to have much in common, as far as weight and previous cancers. This helps me to keep my expectations in check. And your final comment about the boob-fairy made me smile. Thanks

 

Gwen