The things no one tells us about hrt.

[Marcie Jensen]

Thanks everyone. This last draw was near the end of the patch cycle, so that's probably it. And, I have lost some weight (Yay!) I had not considered these factors. Y'all have really taken a load off of my mind.

[Robin.C]

Ah patches our little E friends. I had similar horror moment with my last bloods. T down and E down !!

What it turned out to be was bad batch of patches. Some that wouldn't stick for even a day, some stuck like teenagers wanting the next great thing their friends have.

Changed to another batch of patches, feel calmer and happier too boot. Still got 2 weeks until next blood test for COVID doesn't close everything down here.

And I too have put on weight since HRT. However that is partly because I had a bad knee and had to wait for an operation. Knee has been done and healed, so I;m now starting to ride again. It helps both with the physical aspect and the mental aspect. I still have a few kilos to shift. Working on projects in the shed keeps me from sitting on the couch or in front of the computer.

Except for the cricket. (Shakes head, what happened to England, crazy stuff).

 

So lastly hugs to everyone and a happy New Year to you all.

 

Hugs

Robyn

[Jani]

4 hours ago, Marcie Jensen said:

This last draw was near the end of the patch cycle, so that's probably it.

I ran into that issue several years ago.  My doctor suggested having lab work done in the middle of your "patch" cycle.  That evened out my results.  

 

Jani

[Jamie68]

Last blood draw December 16th. T actually went up 10 points. I'm still not in range for E or T. Doctor put me back on spiro along with the progesterone and upped the estradiol. Hopefully after a year on HRT my levels will get in line. Hopefully in another 6 months to a year I'll get bottom surgery. Then we start all over again. 

 

On another note, after 9 months of HRT my breasts are still just an A cup. I just ordered a breast pump/massager. Hopefully between the pump and me massaging the girls, I will grow to at least a B cup. I don't want a ba just yet. I want natural boobs if possible. 

[Guest]

5 hours ago, Jamie68 said:

Last blood draw December 16th. T actually went up 10 points. I'm still not in range for E or T. Doctor put me back on spiro along with the progesterone and upped the estradiol. Hopefully after a year on HRT my levels will get in line. Hopefully in another 6 months to a year I'll get bottom surgery. Then we start all over again. 

 

On another note, after 9 months of HRT my breasts are still just an A cup. I just ordered a breast pump/massager. Hopefully between the pump and me massaging the girls, I will grow to at least a B cup. I don't want a ba just yet. I want natural boobs if possible. 

I’m a pretty solid A after 9 months and, based on the size of my mother and daughters, probably will not get any bigger. I’ve been wearing some sort of bra for the past year. I’m going to wait till after my snippety doo-dah to decide if I want BA.

 

I’m due for bloodwork but I’m taking oral estradiol. My hormone levels were well within range at the 6 month mark but I do worry that it could stray. 

[Jamie68]

2 hours ago, Erica Gabriel said:

I’m a pretty solid A after 9 months and, based on the size of my mother and daughters, probably will not get any bigger. I’ve been wearing some sort of bra for the past year. I’m going to wait till after my snippety doo-dah to decide if I want BA.

 

I’m due for bloodwork but I’m taking oral estradiol. My hormone levels were well within range at the 6 month mark but I do worry that it could stray. 

I think my 2 older sisters are a B. I left the option open for a BA at the same time as bottom surgery in apx 1-1/2 yrs.

All my meds are oral also.

[Ivy]

8 hours ago, Jamie68 said:

On another note, after 9 months of HRT my breasts are still just an A cup.

I've been on low dose E for about 2 1/2 years.  I'm still at an A.  My mother was not large, sisters probably not that much either.  I asked the endocrinologist (VA) about adding progesterone, but he claimed it wasn't in the protocol.  

On the plus side, they are real enough.  I am more interested in how I feel about things than how impressive they look.  Of course they would help in "passing".

[Guest]

I’ll add another odd HRT side effect I’ve encountered. I experience sympathy hot flashes with my menopausal wife. 

[Guest]

28 minutes ago, Jandi said:

I've been on low dose E for about 2 1/2 years.  I'm still at an A.  My mother was not large, sisters probably not that much either.  I asked the endocrinologist (VA) about adding progesterone, but he claimed it wasn't in the protocol.  

On the plus side, they are real enough.  I am more interested in how I feel about things than how impressive they look.  Of course they would help in "passing".

I agree it’s how you feel that matters most.

[Jamie68]

1 hour ago, Jandi said:

On the plus side, they are real enough.  I am more interested in how I feel about things than how impressive they look.  Of course they would help in "passing".

Yes, they are real and they feel awesome. I do want to pass though. I'm getting real tired of getting "CLOCKED"

[Kylie]

For sure - my weight changed a lot on HRT. But my weight changed substantially, especially location of where my weight ‘sits’ after my GCS. 

[Red_Lauren.]

Let me add this. I started Progesterone about a month ago, and what suprised me was the mental and sexual changes. At first I felt really tired, moody, and -excited- all at once. 

 

Now about a month in. Yea I still have a sex drive, but I would say its pretty munch gone. I'm starting to lose my ability to get up. It also seems like if I can get up. It really doesn't bring me pleasure any more. The end result dose, but not the process. Speaking of the process. Because of my inability to get up. Toys have become my new favorite thing. It also seems like I'm dry now for the most part, but im able to go many many more times compared to when I was a man. 

 

The mental stuff. I feel like Progesterone has really woke up my inner girl. I was 100% straight before hormones. Now i would consider my self bi sexual. The weird thing is I want the adult stuff with a man, but a romantic relationship with a woman. I told a few friends this, and even them selfs are like but you like woman. Then they say they are confused. I'm like you're confused. Imagine going 20 years loving females, and all of a sudden you can see your self with a man. 

[Guest]

6 hours ago, Red_Lauren. said:

Let me add this. I started Progesterone about a month ago, and what suprised me was the mental and sexual changes. At first I felt really tired, moody, and -excited- all at once. 

 

Now about a month in. Yea I still have a sex drive, but I would say its pretty munch gone. I'm starting to lose my ability to get up. It also seems like if I can get up. It really doesn't bring me pleasure any more. The end result dose, but not the process. Speaking of the process. Because of my inability to get up. Toys have become my new favorite thing. It also seems like I'm dry now for the most part, but im able to go many many more times compared to when I was a man. 

 

The mental stuff. I feel like Progesterone has really woke up my inner girl. I was 100% straight before hormones. Now i would consider my self bi sexual. The weird thing is I want the adult stuff with a man, but a romantic relationship with a woman. I told a few friends this, and even them selfs are like but you like woman. Then they say they are confused. I'm like you're confused. Imagine going 20 years loving females, and all of a sudden you can see your self with a man. 

I’m glad that you brought this up. I’m not on Progesterone but my libido is gone and, while the mechanics still work, the sensation is meh. I think there’s a learning process involved where you have to explore more of a whole body thing. As expected, the end result is “mostly dry” but that’s ok. I’m still only into girls. Men are gross 🤮 

[Kelly2509]

@Red_Lauren. interesting you brought this up!  I started P (low dose) in early September and had up until that point been exclusively into women (generally I have been around enough men to just not be into that whole... thing).  About a month later I actually found myself having some very complicated feelings about a man I know and it threw my whole world into chaos for a while.  It didn't help that I was also spending time with friends who identify as pansexual and they had been explaining to me what that meant to them and I actually found their descriptions very compelling (it's about the person, not what's in their pants or how they present).  I had mostly chalked it up to simply widening my horizons and being willing to examine things I used to be afraid to, so it's very interesting that you kind of suggest that P and sexuality may have a correlation.  I now consider myself pansexual but leaning towards women because as @Erica Gabrielsuggested, men can be gross

[Guest]

5 minutes ago, Kelly2509 said:

@Red_Lauren. interesting you brought this up!  I started P (low dose) in early September and had up until that point been exclusively into women (generally I have been around enough men to just not be into that whole... thing).  About a month later I actually found myself having some very complicated feelings about a man I know and it threw my whole world into chaos for a while.  It didn't help that I was also spending time with friends who identify as pansexual and they had been explaining to me what that meant to them and I actually found their descriptions very compelling (it's about the person, not what's in their pants or how they present).  I had mostly chalked it up to simply widening my horizons and being willing to examine things I used to be afraid to, so it's very interesting that you kind of suggest that P and sexuality may have a correlation.  I now consider myself pansexual but leaning towards women because as @Erica Gabrielsuggested, men can be gross

In all honesty, there are some guys that catch my fancy. I’ve a couple of handsome, CLEAN, well coifed coworkers that I could imagine myself………well………I’ll keep that to myself 😈

[Kelly2509]

3 minutes ago, Erica Gabriel said:

In all honesty, there are some guys that catch my fancy. I’ve a couple of handsome, CLEAN, well coifed coworkers that I could imagine myself………well………I’ll keep that to myself 😈

😆 oh yeah, there is a guy here and there that really stir the kool-aid  Just not men in general 

[Red_Lauren.]

On 1/12/2022 at 6:02 AM, Erica Gabriel said:

I’m glad that you brought this up. I’m not on Progesterone but my libido is gone and, while the mechanics still work, the sensation is meh. I think there’s a learning process involved where you have to explore more of a whole body thing. As expected, the end result is “mostly dry” but that’s ok. I’m still only into girls. Men are gross 🤮 

I've literally been exploring for a few months now. Honestly at this point doing it the old fashioned way is a lot harder, and I feel like I have to force it. 

 

Apprently the Progesterone is working wonders. I saw a friend today that hasn't seen me since before Christmas. She was like your face is a lot more feminine, and before she left i got a hug. Because of our height differences. She's a umpaloompa, and im a Amazon. Her face hits right smack in the middle of my chest. She pulled away and was like holy cow they have gotten so big. My boss who is female heard that, and was like I know tell me about it.

 

[Saoirse 2]

Hi,

 

I am only 4 months on weekly intramuscular injections of E only, so I am not very far along in this journey. What don't they tell us, that I wish they did?

 

I think the challenge is more the listening and taking to heart YMMV! 

 

For me, breast budding began within a week. The changes seemed so HUGE from my perspective that I felt like my transition was out of control and scary fast. I thought everyone would notice and talk about me.

 

In reality? 🦗🦗🦗

 

I started going out in public female dress, even though I don't come close to passing and, 🦗🦗🦗🦗🦗🦗

 

Inside has been a rollercoaster of doubts, joy, fear, anticipation, dread, and acceptance. I had all of these feelings before E, but they have overall been more balanced and manageable since starting E. 

 

Is any of this undocumented?

 

No, but until you experience your journey, you likely will not understand how you will feel about each change until you can observe it in the rearview mirror.

 

Wishing a joyful journey to all my sisters, brothers, and siblings!

 

Hugs,

 

Nimue

 

[SheenaT]

Budding must be so exciting. Hang in there and relish the changes. I can only dream of moving forward.

[Guest]

I am not able to bud, but I have to say that I am impressed by all of the accounts her about progesterone. I have been reviewing the professonal literature regarding progesterone, and there is increasing evidence of the benefit. I may consider talking to my PCP about it. I love the changes on HRT so far, although my suitcases seem heavier than ever. 

 

Sincerely

Katie

[Jamie68]

3 minutes ago, Katie23 said:

although my suitcases seem heavier than ever.

Yeah, I can relate to this. I also shank 1-1/2" since on HRT.

[Red_Lauren.]

16 hours ago, Katie23 said:

although my suitcases seem heavier than ever. 

 

Sincerely

Katie

I was just thinking about this. I grew up on a farm, and did heavy manual labor till about this time last year. When I mean heavy manual labor. I was lifting things near 100lbs all day, and swinging a sleg hammer, so things that were 45-50 lbs. I had zero trouble with. 

 

Now I struggle with things in the 50lb plus weight. I've also noticed I have lost a lot of endurance, and overall hand strength. Most of my muscle mass has disappeared especially in my arms, chest, back, and shoulders. My arms were so jacked before. That I would look like I was flexing just relaxing. Now I have to flex to even feel a tiny muscle. 

[MirandaB]

Some of us joke about opening jars, but that's getting less funny each time I can't open a jar like I used to. 

[Jamie68]

2 hours ago, RhondaS said:

Some of us joke about opening jars, but that's getting less funny each time I can't open a jar like I used to. 

I've noticed this also. I was at the ER with my wife one night and bought a drink out of vending machine. I had to ask someone to open it for me. At home I have tools, channel locks, etc. I even have one of those multi size jar opening tool.

Little off subject but, I remember back when I was in guy mode, as shop foreman I got to repair equipment. I was trying to loosen the blade on our 14" cold saw. I tried with two hands and couldn't get it. I asked someone else, with the same results. One of our field installers who used to play football (6' 4" apx 350#), walked up and loosened it with one hand. I was impressed to say the least.

[Guest]

I can still do push-ups 😊. My job helps me maintain my grip strength from lifting packages of all sizes. Otherwise, I’ve lost endurance but I still have 💪.