Jump to content
  • Welcome to the TransPulse Forums!

    We offer a safe, inclusive community for transgender and gender non-conforming folks, as well as their loved ones, to find support and information.  Join today!

Was it fast for others?


Iris C

Recommended Posts

I started hormone therapy 2 weeks ago. I know you are supposed to get a loss of libido at 1 month but it happened after 2 days. I know Breast growth starts at 3 months but it is going mental. I just about can't wear a t-shirt anymore and my wife concurs. I am already putting on flab on my butt and losing strength. I used to have to shave full body every 3 days. Now it is a week and I still look ok. I have been using IPL for 2 months but changes weren't noticeable until the hormones. I am using a testosterone blocker cyprostat and estrodot patches. Very few mental changes just feeling a lot quieter inside and have had a fair amount of anxiety. Any insight from experienced ladies would be really helpful!

Edited by Charlize
Dosage information removed
Link to comment
  • 2 weeks later...

I would guess since we are all wired a little differently, and our chemistry isn’t the same, we may have different timelines with HRT. And then there are the variables as to the particular HRT regimen we’re on, age, etc.

 

I’m on oral Estradiol only, nothing else, 3 months and what I noticed most was some minor widening of my hips. A little breast growth. Not much change in mood or hair growth or skin softness or anything else. But I didn’t want to push it as my goal was to relieve dysphoria more than create quick physical changes.
 

So I’d say your combination of higher dose patch plus blockers is moving you along quickly! did you get your E and T levels checked at 1 month and at 3 months? 

Link to comment

2 weeks?  That sounds insanely fast bordering on unbelievable.  If that's happening I have no advice aside from you may want to discuss it with your doctor?  According to my doc things aren't supposed to move *that* quickly and the faster things move the lower the ceiling for results.

Link to comment
  • 2 weeks later...
On 11/2/2021 at 6:00 AM, Desert Fox said:

I would guess since we are all wired a little differently, and our chemistry isn’t the same, we may have different timelines with HRT. And then there are the variables as to the particular HRT regimen we’re on, age, etc.

 

I’m on oral Estradiol only, nothing else, 3 months and what I noticed most was some minor widening of my hips. A little breast growth. Not much change in mood or hair growth or skin softness or anything else. But I didn’t want to push it as my goal was to relieve dysphoria more than create quick physical changes.
 

So I’d say your combination of higher dose patch plus blockers is moving you along quickly! did you get your E and T levels checked at 1 month and at 3 months? 

Thank you for your feedback. I have a follow up with tests scheduled for 3 months. 5 weeks now and a full A cup, a total roller coaster of emotions, fatigue, facial rounding, skin thinning and softening and body hair radically lightened. Getting psychological help to deal with the physiological changes, so will hang in until then. Pleased to hear your disphoria is being handled in such a measured way. 

Link to comment
On 11/2/2021 at 12:16 PM, Kelly2509 said:

2 weeks?  That sounds insanely fast bordering on unbelievable.  If that's happening I have no advice aside from you may want to discuss it with your doctor?  According to my doc things aren't supposed to move *that* quickly and the faster things move the lower the ceiling for results.

Thank you for your feedback. I have a follow up with tests scheduled for 3 months. 5 weeks now and a full A cup, a total roller coaster of emotions, fatigue, facial rounding, skin thinning and softening and body hair radically lightened. Getting psychological help to deal with the physiological changes, so will hang in until then. I take your warning to heart and will definitely address it with the endocrinologist. I am hoping instead of it being a problem it's my DNA grabbing onto this opportunity. 

Link to comment
9 hours ago, Iris C said:

 I am hoping instead of it being a problem it's my DNA grabbing onto this opportunity. 

I would hope so too, if so it's something to celebrate! :)

 

for context, and we all move at different rates, I'm almost 11 months and haven't experienced pretty much anything you describe yet aside from some breast development (I'm kind of in the A/B range).  Glad you're seeing a therapist to help deal with the emotions, I had scheduled mine aggressively those first couple months expecting a roller coaster but it just never happened.  Best wishes!

Link to comment
  • Forum Moderator

One of the more common expressions here and on other trans forums is "YMMV": your mileage may vary.  The changes you experienced after two weeks are fast, but not unheard-of.  After two weeks, I could feel my nipples tingling, and after four weeks, I needed a sports bra to keep the girls in control.  On the other hand, after the first few months, they slowed right down, and I have never quite reached an A-cup.

 

HRT is definitely a gamble.  One well worth taking, but you never know until it happens how it is going to turn out.  Good luck!

Link to comment
14 hours ago, KathyLauren said:

One of the more common expressions here and on other trans forums is "YMMV": your mileage may vary.  The changes you experienced after two weeks are fast, but not unheard-of.  After two weeks, I could feel my nipples tingling, and after four weeks, I needed a sports bra to keep the girls in control.  On the other hand, after the first few months, they slowed right down, and I have never quite reached an A-cup.

 

HRT is definitely a gamble.  One well worth taking, but you never know until it happens how it is going to turn out.  Good luck!

Thank you for sharing your experience. It has been very helpful to hear exactly how YMMV is experienced by the members here. 

Link to comment
14 hours ago, Kelly2509 said:

I would hope so too, if so it's something to celebrate! :)

 

for context, and we all move at different rates, I'm almost 11 months and haven't experienced pretty much anything you describe yet aside from some breast development (I'm kind of in the A/B range).  Glad you're seeing a therapist to help deal with the emotions, I had scheduled mine aggressively those first couple months expecting a roller coaster but it just never happened.  Best wishes!

Heading towards a B cup girl,  that's more than usual,  great! I don't know if you are on testosterone blocker but that I found hard to deal with since my energy source (libido) has been greatly reduced. I have been having to learn to replace it with an emotional tank of energy which is absolutely mind bending and well worth the therapy. 

Link to comment
10 hours ago, Iris C said:

I don't know if you are on testosterone blocker but that I found hard to deal with since my energy source (libido) has been greatly reduced. I have been having to learn to replace it with an emotional tank of energy which is absolutely mind bending and well worth the therapy. 

I'm not, but being on injections my T gets suppressed without the addition of blockers.  Because of my particular circumstances the loss of libido was a welcome change for me and I get upset when it tries to return ;)  I have done a lot of therapy over the last 2 years though and have learned to get my joy and be energized by other things that I have more control over.

Link to comment
  • Forum Moderator
On 11/11/2021 at 7:49 AM, KathyLauren said:

One of the more common expressions here and on other trans forums is "YMMV": your mileage may vary. 

This acronym "YMMV" is so true for the life experiences we all have. @Iris C the best thing I hear in this thread is to keep your health care team, and yourself fully aware of changes and experiences between visits. Make notes or journal them so you remember them accurately.

 

Best wishes, stay positive, and safe,

 

Mindy??️‍⚧️?

Link to comment
  • Forum Moderator

According to my endocrinologist you can’t predict how it will affect you or how much you will change.  He did say the younger you are when you start the better the results usually are.  I was told at my age not to expect anything so everything would be welcome. A 38B padded fits me nicely.

 

Willow

Link to comment
15 hours ago, Mmindy said:

This acronym "YMMV" is so true for the life experiences we all have. @Iris C the best thing I hear in this thread is to keep your health care team, and yourself fully aware of changes and experiences between visits. Make notes or journal them so you remember them accurately.

 

Best wishes, stay positive, and safe,

 

Mindy??️‍⚧️?

100%. I found a brilliant app called My Diary and I have journalled every day with photos. I have used it several times already to work out the negative impact of doing certain things I used to be able to do easily but cannot any more. 

Link to comment
14 hours ago, Willow said:

According to my endocrinologist you can’t predict how it will affect you or how much you will change.  He did say the younger you are when you start the better the results usually are.  I was told at my age not to expect anything so everything would be welcome. A 38B padded fits me nicely.

 

Willow

Thanks for the insight willow.  I am 51 and was acutely aware that time was running out for me. So excited that changes are happening. Nearly 6 weeks and have put on 4cm on my breasts and 3cm on my hips, so it seems as if timing has been perfect. Why I say perfect? I needed the first 50 years to raise a family, be a good dad and build a career then business. Now I am excited about the next 30 years. 

Link to comment
16 hours ago, Kelly2509 said:

I'm not, but being on injections my T gets suppressed without the addition of blockers.  Because of my particular circumstances the loss of libido was a welcome change for me and I get upset when it tries to return ;)  I have done a lot of therapy over the last 2 years though and have learned to get my joy and be energized by other things that I have more control over.

Please can you share what some of those things are if it is not too personal because I am trying to work out my energy sources? Is it all emotional? 

Link to comment
16 hours ago, Iris C said:

Please can you share what some of those things are if it is not too personal because I am trying to work out my energy sources? Is it all emotional? 

well I realize it might depend on what you consider energy sources, so I may be talking about other things.  But with that in mind, I have done a lot of journaling to get thoughts both good and bad out of my head, occasional meditation, and just kind of trying to take a moment every so often to find something to be happy about or look forward to each day.  For example this past thursday I had a voice session and I love my speech pathologist so looking forward to seeing her and then being able to spend time with her really "filled my bucket" to use a phrase my kids used to use in elementary school.  Or this morning my wife and I took our daughter out shopping for winter boots, she found some she liked and was marching around the house with a big smile on her face trying to do high kicks.  She's 14 and it was so refreshing to see her so happy that it has totally made my day.  These are the kinds of things that would have been way below the radar for me previously but now they recharge my batteries.

Link to comment
10 hours ago, Kelly2509 said:

well I realize it might depend on what you consider energy sources, so I may be talking about other things.  But with that in mind, I have done a lot of journaling to get thoughts both good and bad out of my head, occasional meditation, and just kind of trying to take a moment every so often to find something to be happy about or look forward to each day.  For example this past thursday I had a voice session and I love my speech pathologist so looking forward to seeing her and then being able to spend time with her really "filled my bucket" to use a phrase my kids used to use in elementary school.  Or this morning my wife and I took our daughter out shopping for winter boots, she found some she liked and was marching around the house with a big smile on her face trying to do high kicks.  She's 14 and it was so refreshing to see her so happy that it has totally made my day.  These are the kinds of things that would have been way below the radar for me previously but now they recharge my batteries.

Oh wow Kelly. Yes yes yes, that is what I am also learning! I am really savoring those moments and working hard to utilize them to fill my bucket. Also impressed that you are also still married. My children are 20 and 16 and my wife is still committed after 26 years of marriage!

Link to comment

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • Who's Online   3 Members, 0 Anonymous, 99 Guests (See full list)

    • Pip
    • Karen Carey
    • April Marie
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      80.6k
    • Total Posts
      768k
  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      12,015
    • Most Online
      8,356

    Quillian
    Newest Member
    Quillian
    Joined
  • Today's Birthdays

    1. Bowie Ellis
      Bowie Ellis
      (19 years old)
    2. Damien Mcknight
      Damien Mcknight
      (18 years old)
    3. JJ
      JJ
      (77 years old)
    4. KathyLauren
      KathyLauren
      (70 years old)
    5. memyselfandwe
      memyselfandwe
      (44 years old)
  • Posts

    • Heather Shay
    • April Marie
      Loving this woman I am becoming.
    • April Marie
      Good morning, everyone!! I was up early again - already on my third cup of coffee having walked/fed the dog and read the local paper.   We have a birthday party for a friend to go to this afternoon but no real plans otherwise.   I hope to be able to attend tonight's TGP Zoom session. It's been weeks since I've been able to participate with the illness/loss of our dog, two horrible colds in succession and our trip to chase the solar eclipse.   Have a wonderful day and look for the goodness in it.
    • April Marie
      I think we tend to be overly critical of our looks, whether we're trying to express ourselves as masculine, feminine or anywhere along the gender spectrum. For me, I use photos as a way to track my progress, to help me find my style and look and to help me find ways to improve myself in posture, looks, make-up, style......   I didn't really think about our FB avatar being public but then realized that when people search they do see it.   Since I'm not out to anyone but my wife, therapist, priest and people here, my FB page remains "that guy." I have created a Bitmoji that is relatively androgynous moving slowly towards the feminine. Long gray hair, earrings, softer features...I'm transitioning it along with myself. :-)
    • April Marie
      I so very much enjoy your posts. This one, though, hit home with me for many reasons. I was commissioned in the Army in '77, as well. Like you, I was not overly masculine in the way that many of our contemporaries were. I (still do) cried at weddings, pictures of puppies and babies, when I talked about bring proud of what my units accomplished and was never the Type A leader. In the end, it worked for me and I had a successful career.   This is, of course, your story not mine so I won't detail my struggle. It just took me much longer to understand what the underlying cause of my feelings was and even more to admit it. To act on it.    Thank you for sharing your story, Sally.
    • Sally Stone
      Post 6 “The Military Career Years” In 1977 I joined the Army and went to flight school to become a helicopter pilot.  To fly for the military had been a childhood dream and when the opportunity arose, I took advantage of it, despite knowing I would have to carefully control my crossdressing activity.  At the time, military aviation was male dominated and a haven for Type A personalities and excessive testosterone.  I had always been competitive but my personality was not typically Type A.  And while I could never be considered effeminate, I wasn’t overtly masculine either.  Consequently, I had little trouble hiding the part of my personality that leaned towards the feminine side.    However, serving in the Army limited my opportunities for feminine self-expression.  During this period, I learned that being unable to express my feminine nature regularly, led to frustration and unhappiness.  I managed these feelings by crossdressing and underdressing whenever I could.  Underdressing has never been very fulfilling for me, but while I was in the Army it was a coping mechanism.  I only cross-dressed in private and occasionally my wife would take me out for a late-night drive.  Those drives were still quite private, but being out of the house was clearly therapeutic.    I told myself I was coping, but when it became apparent the Army was going to be a career, the occasional and closeted feminine expression was clearly inadequate.  I needed more girl time and I wanted to share my feminine side with the rest of the world, so the frustration and unhappiness grew.  Despite my feelings regarding feminine self-expression, I loved flying, so I wasn’t willing to give up my military career.  Consequently, I resigned myself to the fact that the female half of my personality needed to take a back seat, and what helped me through, was dreaming of military retirement, and finally having the ability to let Sally blossom.   About Sally. Ironically, she was born while I was still serving.  It was Halloween and my wife and I were hosting a unit party.  I looked upon the occasion as the perfect excuse to dress like a girl.  After a little trepidation, my wife agreed I should take advantage of the opportunity.  Back then, my transformations were not very good, but with my wife’s help, my Halloween costume looked quite authentic.  Originally, my wife suggested that my presentation should be caricature to prevent anyone from seeing through my costume.  But that didn’t appeal to me at all.  I wanted to look as feminine and ladylike as I could.   To my wife’s and my amazement, my costume was the hit of the party.  In fact, later in the evening, my unit buddies decided they wanted to take me out drinking and before either me or my wife could protest, I was whisked away and taken to one of our favorite watering holes.  Terrified at first, I had an amazing time, we all did.  But on Monday morning, when I came to work, I learned that I had a new nickname; it was Sally, and for the duration of that tour, that’s what I was called.  Well, when it came time for me to choose a feminine name, there weren’t any other choices.  Sally it was, and to this day I adore the name, and thank my pilot buddies for choosing it.   And this brings me to my last assignment before retiring.  I was teaching military science in an Army ROTC program at Mercer University in Macon, Georgia.  I had been a member of TRIESS (a nationwide crossdressing support group).  I wasn’t really an active participant but when we moved to Georgia, I learned there was a local chapter in Atlanta.  I reached out to the membership chair person, and joined.   Because the chapter meetings took place in Atlanta, a trans friendly city, and because Atlanta was so far from Macon and any of my military connections, I felt it would be safe to let my feminine hair down.  The monthly meetings took place in the Westin Hotel and Conference Center in Buckhead, an upscale northern Atlanta suburb, and the hotel itself was 4-star.  The meetings were weekend affairs with lots of great activities that allowed me to express myself in a public setting for the first time.  It was during this time, that Sally began to blossom.   I have the fondest memories of Sigma Epsilon (the name of our chapter in Atlanta).  Because the hotel was also a conference center, there was always some big event, and in many cases, there were several.  One weekend there was a nail technician conference that culminated in a contest on Saturday evening.  When the organizers learned there was a huge group of crossdressers staying at the hotel, they reached out to us looking for manicure volunteers.  I volunteered and got a beautiful set of long red fingernails that I wore for the duration of the weekend.   During another of our meeting weekends, there was a huge military wedding taking place, and imagine what we were all thinking when we learned it was a Marine wedding.  Our entire group was on edge worrying we might have to keep a low profile.  It turned out to be one of the most memorable weekends I would experience there.  First off, the Marines were all perfect gentlemen.  On Friday night and throughout the day on Saturday before the wedding, we rubbed elbows with most of them and their wives in and around the hotel, and at the hotel bar.  In fact, we got along so well the bride invited us to the reception.  Somewhere, there is a picture of me with a handsomely dressed Marine draped on each of my arms, standing in the lobby of the hotel.  Sadly, I never got a copy of it because the woman who took the picture used a film camera (yes, they actually took picture that way in ancient times).    My two-years with Sigma Epsilon was the perfect transition.  I went from being fully closeted to being mostly out.  I enhanced my feminine presentation and significantly reduced my social anxiety.  It also signified the end of one life and the beginning of another.  I had a great career and never regretted serving, but I was ready to shed the restrictions 20-years of Army service had imposed on my feminine self-expression.  My new life, Sally’s life, was about to begin, and with it I would begin to fully spread a new set of wings, this time feminine wings.    Hugs, Sally
    • Sally Stone
      Ashley, for a very long time she clung to the term crossdresser, because for her it was less threatening.  Over the years, though, she has come to recognize and acknowledge that I have a strong feminine side.  And like me, she now has a much better understanding of where my transgender journey is going, so me being bigender, isn't the threat she might have perceived it as, years ago. 
    • Carolyn Marie
      https://apnews.com/article/title-ix-sexual-assault-transgender-sports-d0fc0ab7515de02b8e4403d0481dc1e7   The revised regulations don't touch on trans athletes; which I totally understand, as that's become a third rail issue and this is an election year.  But the other changes seem pretty sensible, and will obviously result in immediate right wing lawsuits.   Carolyn Marie
    • missyjo
      darling you have wonderful taste..I especially love the red dress n sneaker outfit   enjoy   missy
    • Carolyn Marie
      Very well said, @Abigail Genevieve, and very true.  Thank you.   Carolyn Marie
    • Susan R
      Trans Group Zoom Meeting Tomorrow!!   Trans Group Zoom Meeting Times: April 20, 2024 6:00 PM Pacific Time April 20, 2024 8:00 PM Central Time April 21, 2024 11:00 AM Australia/Melbourne   Message me for the meeting link if you’d like to attend.   *Hugs* Susan R🌷
    • Susan R
      They may win a few battles but not the war! as @Davie pointed out there is little truth if it full of lies, inconsistencies, and ignores evidence to the contrary. I saw this article earlier and have to agree here. Truth will win. This isn’t the first time this tactic has been tried. Always stick with the truth!
    • Susan R
      Welcome @violet r! Glad you joined our forum and got through the hardest part…that first post. As many have mentioned, we are more than accepting here as we affirm your gender identity and hold no judgement, whatsoever. There’s so much here on this forum, I think you’ll find very helpful. If you have trouble finding an answer just reach out, try the search but starting a new thread is usually best to get some quick answers. Many are here for various transgender related issues but many, if not all, are here to help one another if we can. It’s great to have you onboard.   Warmest Regards, Susan R🌷
    • Willow
      good evening   good day at work today.  I did do some things a little out of normal but everything was completed successfully.  As I said earlier, the Asst Mgr was my second today.  I don’t think she was too happy about that.  Several customers asked her where Richard was her answer was the manager cut his hours.  Well that is only part of the story,  his hours were cut just like mine were and several others but in his case he made demands about his hours that couldn’t be met.  But instead of making some non complaining remark about it she made sure to lay it all on the manager, thus throwing the manager under the bus.  Similarly when asked why she hadn’t been at work early mornings, she said she was being punished by the manager.  Well that’s partly true, she wouldn’t do what the manager told her to do so she took her off opening.  But secondarily she didn’t have a car to drive temporarily.  You can’t open the store without a car because who ever opens has tasks that require them to leave the store, so it was  at least partly her own fault.  But she chose to throw the manager under the bus for that.  I think she is asking to be fired for insubordination.  And if the manager gets these conversations off the security tape tomorrow she just might get her wish.   im pretty close to being ready to take the asst position but there isn’t anyone ready to take over my job, at least not at our store.  I suppose the other shift lead could if she is able to work earlier shifts and if the other closers were just a bit more reliable.   Ive been wanting some homefried chicken.  We found a BBQ place not far away that had such a chicken but I is made fresh when ordered so it has a 30 minute wait.  It was worth the wait and the other things we tried were also good.  Another restaurant on the list.  At least half of what we ordered came home for another meal.   i get to sleep in tomorrow, I go to work at 1:30!   Willow
    • Abigail Genevieve
      It was nine thirty.  Saturday morning had rolled around more quickly than Taylor could believe.  She groaned, whined, thought of a million excuses why she should just stay in bed and knock the alarm across the room.  But it would still be going on, and so would the promise to Bob: when the gi came in, she would be in. There it was in its nice package, out where she could not miss it.  Why didn't she hide it?  She shook her head.   Up she got.  Sometimes you just do.  Her hair was a wreck. She patted it down and went to the bathroom.  Nine forty five. Shower later. No make up. She hated kara-tay especially at an ungodly early hour on a Saturday morning. Bagel. Instant coffee.  She was five minutes away when she realized she had forgotten the gi.  Back she went.   Into the dojo.  She had about five minutes to get the gi on.  She attempted to slip in unnoticed and go to the little restroom. Someone barked something out in Japanese or something, and there was a dead silence.  She turned to see what was going on. Both classes were getting into their lines, but everyone, including Bob, was bowing slightly. To her. Bob nodded, and she returned the bow.  Life started again. She was touched.   Bowing three times. Oath. Kata.  She was facing off with Judy as her partner.  Judy looked worried.   "Sometimes you just gotta pick yourself up and try again," Taylor told her. She nodded. "Let's do this."   Lunge punch and lower block.  They traded off like nothing had happened the last weekend.  Lunge punch and middle block. Lunge punch and upper block.  It was kind of like dancing. Taylor enjoyed it.  She wanted to learn more.  Brown-belt Maggie adjusted position of limbs and hips for both Taylor and Judy, telling them when she was about to do something: elbow up a bit".    "How'd you do?" Bob asked her later.  They had both gone home and showered. Now they were in a booth at a fast food place.   "I was kind of disappointed class ended. I was ready for more."   "That's my trooper."   "I'm not allowing you in my apartment until we are married," she said suddenly.   "You think I am a problem?"   "No.  I think you are safe. You passed the test  I am the problem here."   "Okay."   "What did the doctor tell you?"   "It's complicated.  More tests coming.  Like getting into college.  I got a letter back.  It seems there is this big fat M on my transcript and my current picture is not an M type picture.  I have to write a letter and send them notarized proofs and stuff. Just delays. This is a pain. Nothing cut and dried."   "I will say.  I'm glad I'm not transgender."   "Hah. You are pulled into my world.  You are involved in this stuff as much as I am, and, as you put it, of your own free will."   "You are worth it."   "I hope so."   "I know so."      
  • Upcoming Events

Contact TransPulse

TransPulse can be contacted in the following ways:

Email: Click Here.

To report an error on this page.

Legal

Your use of this site is subject to the following rules and policies, whether you have read them or not.

Terms of Use
Privacy Policy
DMCA Policy
Community Rules

Hosting

Upstream hosting for TransPulse provided by QnEZ.

Sponsorship

Special consideration for TransPulse is kindly provided by The Breast Form Store.
×
×
  • Create New...