HRT at 22, how would I look?

[Guest sPAZAttack]

Hi everyone!

Its becoming more apparent that my transgender feelings are weighing pretty heavily on me. I'm still getting counselling at the moment but I feel like HRT could be an option in the future. I'm 22 at the moment, a little hairy, and I don't like my cleft chin and squarish jawline. I also have slightly large shoulders and more toned legs than your average girl, as to be expected haha. I was wondering if you guys could take a look at my pictures and tell me how I might look if I did HRT within the following 12 months. What would go away? What would stay? Do you think I could pass at a later stage with some laser? That sort of thing. I don't mind a bit of criticism- I don't think there is much point in transitioning if I do not pass as my desired gender.

Thanks, Jess

[Guest ~Brenda~]

HRT is much more complex than you realize. In 12 months you could have no apprant change to your features. Some people have very dramatic changes in that same period, but it is usually around the hips and breasts. What this all means is that your changes on HRT cannot be compare to others on the same time scale.

Response to HRT is very individual. Your doctor should be able to explain this much better than I.

Love

Brenda

[Guest sPAZAttack]

Oh, sorry I didn't mean in a 12 month time span. I meant if I started HRT at around my current age. I've heard that HRT does impact those of a younger age more, is this true? If I do go through with HRT I realise it would take more than a year to achieve full results. I was just looking for outside opinions whether I looked to masculine to bother with HRT! I would hope that my face becomes more feminine mostly.

Jess

[VickySGV]

Your pictures do not match up with your verbal description as for how you look. Are you sure they are really you if you are as bad as you describe yourself? *

You talk about 22, for heavens sake, I am 65 and VERY happy with what my body and hormones have done. Not what I would have had at your age -- well -- maybe -- uhh -- gosh -- beats me, but we will never get the results we want, only the ones we will get. I have been on HRT for 45 months and post op for 3 months by now and life is good. When you get going on the hormones, there are no guarantees at all. Go over to the thread where we keep the SOC7 linked in, and go to page 38 for MtF to see what you can expect and when.

*You may not look like your sister, but you will look like female YOU.

[Guest ~Brenda~]

No apologies necessary Jess,

Indeed, HRT before puberty is the ideal time for HRT, but HRT after puberty is very effective too.

HRT is not your only recourse. FFS is also an option to achieve your goals.

Think of HRT, FFS, SRS as all options that you can employ to achieve the results you are looking for.

Brenda

[Guest sPAZAttack]

Haha, I need a lot of make

Your pictures do not match up with your verbal description as for how you look. Are you sure they are really you if you are as bad as you describe yourself? *

You talk about 22, for heavens sake, I am 65 and VERY happy with what my body and hormones have done. *You may not look like your sister, but you will look like female YOU.

Haha, I spose I'm very critical, I'm also caked in makeup in good lighting =P. Thanks for the complement though, it means a lot . I'm glad to hear that your happy with your experience on HRT, funny you mention sisters- I do look a lot like her dressed up!

Jess

[Carolyn Marie]

I have to echo Vicky's comments, Jess. I didn't see anything in your photos to suggest that you would not do well in the future. Facial hair removal, eyebrow shaping, voice, mannerisms, self confidence, all have a role to play in "passing." HRT is just one aspect of it, and not necessarily the most important. Passing, for want of a better word, is not just about the contours of the face or the size of the breasts. It is how you present yourself to the world, and the confidence you bring to the presentation, more than anything else, IMHO.

I can't predict how much HRT will change you. I don't think HRT has changed my face very much at all, although others tell me different. Look at the photos in my gallery. You won't see a pretty woman, but you will see a woman, and despite my flaws, I have never been challenged, never been gawked at in public, never had any problems in over two years of living full time as female. I am confident in myself, and view myself as a woman, and so others view me the same. My body is far from perfect, as is my voice, and I wear a wig, but I do fine and am very happy.

So please stop worrying and just concentrate on the things I've mentioned, and you will do very well.

HUGS

Carolyn Marie

[Guest sPAZAttack]

Thanks a lot guys, it's so hard to think rationally about this sort of stuff. I'm pretty unsure how I appear to other people, how I look and stuff. I'm more effeminite for a guy but haven't had much time or space to practice mannerisms and stuff like that. I want to though. Also where do I find the SOC7 thread? I'm unsure about this

Thanks a bunch Jess,

[Guest Kelly-087]

I've been on HRT for about~ 4 months. But it's really a bit more like 2 because my doctor and I spent two months figuring out that patches don't work for me.

What I can say so far is~ A) Im no where NEAR where I want to be.

and Im doing muuuuch better.

I see my face changing in ways Im please with. it's much less masculine, despite not having the most feminine jaw line. I'm encouraged knowing it's only the beginning. I haven't seen any other changes besides the softening of the face, and I'm still not at the doseage where things really start to happen.

I don't think that at age 22 we're much worse off than doing HRT at say 18 or 19. I've heard a figure that when things physically start to become more difficult is after age 25, so take your time and figure out what you want but don't take too long!

[Carolyn Marie]

Also where do I find the SOC7 thread? I'm unsure about this

Thanks a bunch Jess,

Here is a link to the document: http://www.wpath.org/documents/IJT%20SOC,%20V7.pdf

Carolyn Marie

[Guest sPAZAttack]

What I can say so far is~ A) Im no where NEAR where I want to be.

and Im doing muuuuch better.

I don't think that at age 22 we're much worse off than doing HRT at say 18 or 19. I've heard a figure that when things physically start to become more difficult is after age 25, so take your time and figure out what you want but don't take too long!

Thanks Kelly, it sounds like you have a more realistic picture of things =). I've been taking this all quite fast but I'm going to try not to rush into it. At what period do they start upping your amounts of hormones? is this when you see the greatest results?

[Guest Kaylee234]

it's so hard to think rationally about this sort of stuff.

Ain't that the truth?

~ Kay

[Guest Amber Lynn]

Jess, I'm nowhere near qualified to say what HRT woud do for you or anyone, since I've never been on them myself. But I wanted to say, in this girl's opinion, you're really pretty already!

I agree with Carolyn about passing being about just as much about mannerisms and confidence, and confidence will allow your mannerisms to develop more naturally, I think. As far as laser goes, I've heard success stories many times now that have agreed that the simple absence of facial hair constantly needing to be covered has done wonders for their feminine appearance.

Best wishes love!

Gina

[Guest Kelly-087]

What I can say so far is~ A) Im no where NEAR where I want to be.

and Im doing muuuuch better.

I don't think that at age 22 we're much worse off than doing HRT at say 18 or 19. I've heard a figure that when things physically start to become more difficult is after age 25, so take your time and figure out what you want but don't take too long!

Thanks Kelly, it sounds like you have a more realistic picture of things =). I've been taking this all quite fast but I'm going to try not to rush into it. At what period do they start upping your amounts of hormones? is this when you see the greatest results?

Hm well I dont want to say too much since A) It's probably borderline against rules and My healthcare system functions differently than what you might have..But I think it can be increased on a monthly, bi-monthly basis.. It would probably be bi-monthly for you. And it's dependent n a lot of things which are bloodwork.. reactions to the hormones, and ultimately it's really what your doctor feels is best.. I really recommend you read up on it, and how HRT is prescribed in your country. Being an informed patient is really important with this, unless you've got someone who specializes in TG HRT.

[Guest Sarah Faith]

I've been on HRT for about~ 4 months. But it's really a bit more like 2 because my doctor and I spent two months figuring out that patches don't work for me.

What I can say so far is~ A) Im no where NEAR where I want to be.

and Im doing muuuuch better.

I see my face changing in ways Im please with. it's much less masculine, despite not having the most feminine jaw line. I'm encouraged knowing it's only the beginning. I haven't seen any other changes besides the softening of the face, and I'm still not at the doseage where things really start to happen.

I don't think that at age 22 we're much worse off than doing HRT at say 18 or 19. I've heard a figure that when things physically start to become more difficult is after age 25, so take your time and figure out what you want but don't take too long!

Hey now, I'm 28 and I'm perfectly happy with the results I'm getting, don't be hatin' on your elders.. Sheesh Young People these days!

In all seriousness though Jess, I have to echo what everyone else has said so far.. There is no one size fits all result from HRT, it won't happen over night either you just gotta let go and let it happen. But I do know how you feel I used to obsess over that kinda stuff my self, infact I'm pretty sure one of my first threads here was actually this exact topic! Just have a little faith in yourself hon.

[Guest sPAZAttack]

Hey now, I'm 28 and I'm perfectly happy with the results I'm getting, don't be hatin' on your elders.. Sheesh Young People these days!

In all seriousness though Jess, I have to echo what everyone else has said so far.. There is no one size fits all result from HRT, it won't happen over night either you just gotta let go and let it happen. But I do know how you feel I used to obsess over that kinda stuff my self, infact I'm pretty sure one of my first threads here was actually this exact topic! Just have a little faith in yourself hon.

I've seen your before and after pictures Sarah and I would be happy to look remotely like that! Still sounds like a pretty big gamble though. I just feel I'm a little scared of getting any more masculine at this point, so it's good to know that you have a couple of years on me and are happy =)

Jess, I'm nowhere near qualified to say what HRT woud do for you or anyone, since I've never been on them myself. But I wanted to say, in this girl's opinion, you're really pretty already!

I agree with Carolyn about passing being about just as much about mannerisms and confidence, and confidence will allow your mannerisms to develop more naturally, I think. As far as laser goes, I've heard success stories many times now that have agreed that the simple absence of facial hair constantly needing to be covered has done wonders for their feminine appearance.

Aww thanks! Glad to know the canvas isn't completely ruined haha. Not looking forward to the costs of laser. I'm a student for the next year so it's probably going to be difficult I think, especially if I try to get work while transitioning. Apparently we are pretty protected here is Aus, so all I need to do is get a job and hold on for dear life!

[Guest SJH]

Does it matter

I knew I'd rather be the absolute ugliest woman in the world then any "male"

No doubt over a year and a half on HRT i'm not ugly or anything close, I may or may not be an oil painting but does it matter.

My point is I knew I had to transition for authenticity and while I do acknowledge it would be lovely to be graced with good looks I was so unhappy as a "male" that that wasn't the biggest worry in the world and kinda still isn't.