Body Changes

[Raven1981]

Hello All:

 

So I just want to ask and see if anyone might have any suggestions on body changes on hormones.  So I have been on hormones for 6 month where I was first on patches and then recently switched to injections and have been on injections for 8 weeks.  Right now my dysphoria has really been getting to me when I look in the mirror when I am male and I really hate it and wish that my body would just some how go fast on hormones.  I am following my Endocrongolist and doing my proscribe dose of hormones and when to take my hormones, but it is just really bothering me seeing me still as male.  I really want to be my identity that I identify as, but at the same time I am really trying to learn patience and just sit back and enjoy the ride.

 

Wanting to know if anyone else has felt the same way or know of ways to combat this feeling of hate looking at myself as male and just wanting my body to speed things up on hormones.

 

Look forward to hear back

 

Amy

[Kirsten]

Hey Amy, 

I can say I feel the same way. I’ve been on oral hrt since May 18th with some self medicating prior to that since January. 

I see some changes. But I feel them mentally a lot more. My dysphoria is worse now than it ever was before as well. I think it’s because it’s working. I don’t think there’s a way to change it. I hear a lot of people call this the “awkward” phase. And it can last a long time. But hormones take time. Add to that the way they chemically imbalance you and it’s just hard. I try to think of it as another step. When it goes away it’ll be another hurdle overcome. 

I can at least say that you aren’t alone. And I think it’s pretty normal. It probably doesn’t help much though. And not long ago neither of us was working towards our dream at all. But we are now. And that’s gotta count for something right!? 

❤️Kirsten 

[Jani]

Once we are passed puberty any changes will not be as complete as a cis person.  That said changes can be dramatic based upon our personal genetic make up.  Only time will tell for you.  Puberty lasts several years.  Look at the subtle changes that are slowly appearing.  Early on, I used to take a photo every few days.   When I look back I find it hard not to see changes!  But in real time its hard.  

 

As Kirsten notes this is an awkward phase you are in and it will pass.  

Just now, Kirsten said:

And not long ago neither of us was working towards our dream at all. But we are now. And that’s gotta count for something right!? 

It surely does! 

Jani

[Raven1981]

Hello All:

 

Thank you for the advise.  I have been taking pictures and looked at some of my pictures from before HRT and before therapy up to now and the pictures do show some change.  But I want to see what all the hormones will do to my body before doing any surgeries and I have been really thinking on the different surgeries.  I know that I would like GCS.  But I want to wait on breast Augmentation and FFS to see what the hormones will do.

 

Mean while, I am just trying to figure out how to keep my dysphoria at bay and sit back on hormones for now.

 

Lots of Love.

 

Amy

[VickySGV]

Look up the WPATH Standards Of Care, seventh version.  It has a table in it of general time frames for specific changes to begin and generally complete themselves.  Most of the onset times are 90 to 180 days, and the completions will be 3 to six years. 

 

I have two friends who had Breast Augmentation  at about two years and were happy, but when they had GCS about a year later in one case an 2 years after in the other, they both had new boob growth and ended up having to remove the implants due to sore back problems. 

[Raven1981]

Thank You Vicky.  This will help me out as well.  I am so grateful for my therapist as she fully follows the WPATH herself and before I started hormones, I have been seeing and talking to my therapist for 2 years and I still see my therapist as well.  Also I can say that my therapist had me go to see a psychologist as well before getting my letter where both the psychologist and my therapist have agreed that I do have a med. case of dysphoria and there was no doubt about it that it is true.

 

But I do know that after seeing what hormones has done and then take a look to see what I will need to correct with surgery.  Both my endrocronglist, therapist, and the psychologist I went to all like how I am following the correct procedures and wanting to wait to see what the hormones do first.  Even though I want my body to change faster, I do know to wait and see what the hormones do.  It's much like how I went through cancer treatment.  I did chemo first with all sorts of test and at the end of chemo, we did a final test to see if surgery is needed.  So I am doing the same thing just hormones is longer but the same with be on the hormones and see what happens in 2 to 3 years.  Then made do GCS and wait on my breast to see what happens with hormones and GCS.

 

Thank You Alot

 

Amy

[Kali-Ann Gills]

Hi Amy 

I was advised to take measurements every four weeks I was quite surprised. While most of my body changes are not immediately obvious the months of data have, almost a year, have proven to be quite an eye opener. 

It is difficult at first love however, by using this method I can actually see and keep track of just what is happening to me.

Millimeters of changes all add up. 

Kali-Ann ? xx 

[VickySGV]

3 hours ago, Kali-Ann Gills said:

It is difficult at first love however, by using this method I can actually see and keep track of just what is happening to me.

 

 @Amy LeBlanc    I still have the file I created 9 years ago when I first began HRT that did exactly what Kelli-Anne is suggesting.  I still keep it up just for fun since it has a "days since" calculation in it, and it has more than just my physical vitals that help keep me grounded such as my sobriety time as well.

[Kali-Ann Gills]

Just now, VickySGV said:

 

 @Amy LeBlanc    I still have the file I created 9 years ago when I first began HRT that did exactly what Kelli-Anne is suggesting.  I still keep it up just for fun since it has a "days since" calculation in it, and it has more than just my physical vitals that help keep me grounded such as my sobriety time as well.

Hi Vicky 

I also seem to remember that there is a download transition chart. I am sorry I cannot exactly remember where. However it is very easy to create something similar in excel

 

Kali-Ann ?xx

[VickySGV]

Just now, Kali-Ann Gills said:

However it is very easy to create something similar in excel

That was my way!! 

[Kali-Ann Gills]

Just now, VickySGV said:

That was my way!! 

Maybe make a version available for download via here.

Kali-Ann ? xx 

[Raven1981]

Hello All:

 

Thank You all for the grate advise.  I have just started a tracking excel doc that I have made up.  Another thing I have been hanging onto from my Endocrinologist that I love looking at is the sheets that she gives me each time showing my T and E levels from each visit.  I have also been keeping my lab results from when I see my labs and love looking back and just seeing those changes.  Cannot believe it's been 6 months already.  The first 4.5 months have been having problems with the patches and my numbers were not really moving and then 1.5 months on injections and see my numbers are actually moving in the right direction.

 

My favorite doc that my endocrinologist gave me that I have hanging on my refrigerator is the doc that shows all the effects both positive and negative for hormones.  This way I can see and keep an eye to make sure that I do not get any blood clots or cancer and that I have nothing but positive effects with breast development, hip wideing, growing my own long hair, seeing how far will my face change.

 

Lots of Love

 

Amy

[Connie]

Amy I think you look great Keep up the great job your doing