HRT Patches

[Raven1981]

Hello All:

 

Wanted to ask also I am feeling frustrated that I am currently on the Estrodial Patches and feel like they are not working.  I have been on them for 6 weeks now along with taking Sprio by oral and have not really noticed any changes.  But I am looking forward to March 19th to see my doctor again and I have to go a week before hand to do labs and that will tell me if it is working or not.

 

Am I just now getting impatients?

 

 

Amy

[BrandiBri]

I am on estradiol tabs, and have been for about 6 months. The "girls" are just now starting to show signs of growing. It does take a lot of time and I was told that it takes 3 to 6 months for you to notice any change in breast growth. Give it time, it will happen, We all are in the same mindset, wanting the change right now. Just like male puberty, female puberty takes a long time.

 

Hang in there, Love,

Brandi

[Jani]

Amy six weeks is not enough time to see anything concrete.  You may start feeling better and your skin may start feeling softer or less oily.  Remember when you went through puberty (the first time) that it was a long process.  It will be this time also (> 6 yrs).  Natal female bodies are designed with an effective estrogen delivery system.    

 

I'm on patches and I'm older.  I didn't see any thing physical beginning until 2 months in (YRMV).   Remember that in addition to the estrogen you have added you are also suppressing testosterone that's still being created.  There is an internal conflict still going on in your body. 

 

After two years I can say the effects do ebb and flow.  My emotional state has remained a constant but physical changes happen, then it seems as if my body takes a break to absorb the change before another phase of growth starts.  This is different than when you experienced "the change" as a teen.  This time you're getting the effects a young girl would get which in my opinion are much more comprehensive than those of young males.

 

Stay calm and enjoy the ride.  Don't rush it.  I know its hard but you'll be fine.  I was once where you are.  Things will work out all right.

 

Jani  

[Renae]

You've gotten some good advice here.  The only thing I can add is that time on estrogen is substantially more important that estrogen levels.  We fixate on the latter because we are impatient.

[Jani]

Thank you Renae, I forgot that point.  So true.   

 

Jani

[VickySGV]

The WPATH Standards Of Care V7 have a chart in them for both MtF and FtM hormone takers that gives the general times of the onset of desired bodily effects and the completion dates.  The onset numbers for both charts say 3 to 6 months to get stuff rolling, regardless of the dosage or the delivery method.  The completion periods are in the 3 to 6 YEAR range.  I piloted two cis daughters through puberty and both of them took even longer than 6 years and there were times six years of survival for any of us were in question.  (They are both now still alive in their early 40's). 

 

I began my HRT in early July 2009, and just a few days after New Years day in 2010 I woke up in the middle of the night with serious pains in my chest.  I had worn an unneeded (I thought) bra and breast forms to bed that night.  NOOOOO it was not a heart attack or anything like that, it was my own developing breasts objecting to the weight of my breast forms crushing in on them!!  I had almost dialed 911.

[Raven1981]

Hello All:

 

Thank you for all the grate advice.  I know the one thing I have going for me is that I am a 10 year cancer survivor from Testicular cancer.  So when I visited my doctor, they notice that I produce lower than normal testrone which is why my first lab work came back with the testrone at 187 and my estrogen is at 12.  So I guess I can say that right now I am at the Andronynis  section right now

[BrandiBri]

Vicky. Now I know why my wife and I had so much trouble with

two girls in puberty at the same time.

[VickySGV]

34 minutes ago, BrandiBri said:

Vicky. Now I know why my wife and I had so much trouble with

two girls in puberty at the same time.

 

Yeah, I got even with them 10 years ago!!  

[jae bear]

Wow! Your T was 187? My little guys got crushed in motorcycle accident, one is useless and the other struggling for life (and they hurt) and my T was 100, I had no ideal that was super low, I just thought it was the bottom of the range...

Hugs,

Jae

[Raven1981]

Hello

 

Thank you Vicky for the more details.  I have noticed that at times, my breast do have an itching on or around them.  I have just thought that it was from my breast forms.

 

Thank you

 

Amy

[jae bear]

Hi Amy,

Mine itch a lot too... I’m about close to year HRT now but some recent weight loss took some fluff out of the girls and it’s bumming me out... ?

Hugs,

Jae

[Raven1981]

Hello

 

I was told by my doctor that a normal male would have a T from 500 - 1000.  So anything below 500 is low and if down in the 100, then it is super low.  Reviewing my chart that my doctor gave me, the Estradiol is a normal 50 - 200 and my doctor wants to get me up to 150 so that way we can keep the T down and raise my E up.

 

Amy

[Jani]

Just now, Amy LeBlanc said:

I was told by my doctor that a normal male would have a T from 500 - 1000.

This is what I was told as well.  

 

The level of Estrogen in natal women is different based upon the phase of their cycle and whether they are in menopause.  In two years I've never reached 100 yet I have had good results.  As noted previously, consistency is key.    

 

Jani

[jae bear]

Woah... I had no idea my T was considered so low! I’m not surprised by any means, but my doctor never expressed any concern. I don’t miss hot flashes at all, I can tell when all my cylinders are running on E, I feel “smoother” in my head and I don’t get hot flashes at all. I also don’t loose my temper and I can actually sit down and help my 12 year old with her math homework without going bonkers!

squishy hugs,

Jae

[jae bear]

 Wow 3 1/2 straight hours of homework for the poor kid let tonight! I can’t believe how much homework they have to do thesedays, and to be honest I’m finding it very hard to accomplish all the sixth grade homework... granted I haven’t been in school for a long time but one would think I’d be prepared to answer what seem to be simple questions. I sure would hate to go back to school these days, oh boy would I get teased! ?

hugs,

Jae

[Raven1981]

Hey all:

 

So I have been looking at the calendar and saw that it has been 6 weeks on HRT with the patches.  I have noticed that since being on HRT that I seem to be a lot more relaxed and comfortable with myself.  There is no noticeable change physically yet.  But mentally, I feel better.

 

Amy

[BrandiBri]

I think that for most of us , we experience the feelings you describe very early into HRT. The physical effects however, take longer to show up. I have been on HRT for 6 mouths now, and although I Noticed the "ouchies" right away, I am just now seeing and feeling the change in my breasts. They are starting to feel firmer. Don't worry you will see the changes soon.

 

Hugs,

Brandi

[jae bear]

I agree with Brandi 100%! The calm mind is and amazing thing, I never knew I could be this person, but I would never go back to that easily irritated jerk I used to be. Enjoy your newfound serenity!

Hugs,

Jae

[Rachael]

When I was about 6 weeks on hrt it was like flipping a switch the mental and emotional benefits were fantastic and worth the journey alone. I am at just over 7 months now, and the breast growth has been steady and noticeable. Hrt has given me patience to wait for the physical changes. As others have stated I am enjoying the journey. 

Have an enjoyable journey of your own.