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I'm just curious about hormone replacement therapy. I've read a fair bit about it, and the general consensus seems to be that there is simply no telling exactly how hormones will affect you. The results that seem typical are: more feminine facial features, softer/thinner skin, fat re-distribution to the hips/butt, less body hair, decrease in size of genitals, and some slight breast increase. The more dramatic changes seem to only take place for people who start very early in life. So I'm wondering if I started it at about age 55-60, would it even be noticeable to me, let alone others after, say, 2 years. Anyone with experience with hormones at about this age?

Thanks,

Lysette

Hey Lysette, I am almost 54 now and I started when I was 51 (self med, please don't do this), 52 with legal hrt.

Yes the younger one is when starting, the better results. However there are tremendous changes taking place that are worth every penny. Sure you cannot expect DD size boobies, but you will be much happier in your skin.

Let me quickly brake down your post... (these are my experiences, yours and others might be different)

more feminine facial features - Yes over the course of a few years fat is redistributed in the face, skin is softer but facial hair stays. (laser and/or electrolysis is needed )
softer/thinner skin - Absolutely and this happened quickly in my case, and also no more male body odor.
fat re-distribution to the hips/butt - Yes, but it doesn't start until after probably 2 years or so.
less body hair - Body hair will slow down in growth and hair will become more softer, feminine hair.
decrease in size of genitals - But first no more spontaneous erections, no more sperm production, and yes shrinkage of the "no longer needed" parts. Out of side out of mind. This happens in the first few months! One of the reasons a letter of referral from a therapist is needed.
some slight breast increase - Just like every cisgender woman, sizes are different. My girls are currently 9 centimeters as measured by my Endo. In my experience so far is that they first grew a little and then really started to form in shape. They appear smaller because we all have a larger ribcage then cisgender woman, so we need more tissue in order to have bigger boobies in appearance. Yet I am very happy with the way my girls are developing, real feminine looking boobies. I do have a picture to show the growth development, just ask.

Well and then there are probably a hundred more little things changing. Also inside things change as well. I feel more at ease and happier, I don't look out of the corner of my eyes to observe other people staring at me, my interest towards male partners has increased, I'm no longer horney as often, and when I am it's a total different kind of horney, difficult to explain. Lets not forget the emotional and mood changes. Especially when my Endo was regulating/adjusting my hrt dose.

Yes, I am glad I did started hrt, and complete transitioning, not going back ever. Surgery is a wish, but not financially possible ant time soon.

The results one can expect from HRT varies from individual to individual. The age you start has an effect but also your own physical condition and of course hereditary. When I started my endo told me to take a look at the women on the family side I mostly resembled and that was an idea of what to expect in some sort of a way. As for fat distribution and breast development again there are varying factors but the age you start at. I was 32 when I started my HRT and to be honest for the first 4 or 5 months I saw virtually no changes but then they began. Do I have a knockout hourglass figure? Not hardly but I can turn a head or two in a pair of jeans and while I am nowhere as busty as my sister or mother I am happy with the girls. I have heard one grows about a half cup size after GCS, curious to see if that is the case.

As Erin said no self medicating! If you are serious about all of this start with a licensed and qualified gender therapist and discuss your feelings and your whys. If then HRT is right and prescribed good luck. Remember there are always padded panties and breast augmentation.

Lysette I am going to reiterate what both Erin and Heather have already said. No self medicating or diagnosing! HRT can cause a multitude of interactions within the body, particularly if you are taking and other medications, prescribed, OTC, or herbals. If you are serious start with a gender therapist to determine if you are a candidate for possible transition then you will be referred to the appropriate medical professionals to research and potentially begin HRT based on your individual circumstances.

As for your age, HRT affects each individual differently. I was 26 when I started mine and had what I found to be pleasing results with fat distribution to the hips and backside as well as a somewhat defined waist line and breast development. Most will tell you the younger you begin the greater the results and again for the most part that is reality. Take a look at the females in your family and that will give you an idea of the potential results you could expect. I can tell you I do know of one girl who was 49 when she started her HRT and was told not to expect much results. I think she said it took about 4 years total but she has a beautiful, classic hourglass figure with a set of 36D's. So you can see as they say "Individual results can vary."

Everyone who desires or discusses HRT is always focused on the physical results which as everyone has already said does vary from person to person and generally diminishes as the one "matures." The side that doesn't change with age and is perhaps as important is that of the psychological and emotional effects. Those are as important to a transitioning individual, trust me, and play as important role as the physical attributes.

Lysette there are effects regardless of what age you begin HRT. Yes the results are not as pronounced as if you started when you were younger but trust me they are there. I was 62 when I started, I am 65 now, and although the lower body shaping is not that dramatic I have a set of small 38B's on my chest, Granted they are not that big but I am proud of them and I can always wear a padded bra if I want that special look. I am proud of them and happy as is my BF!

There is no "right" answer to how HRT will affect an individual. Each of us is unique from our genetics, our metabolism, our health, etc. I know I had several long talks with my therapist and my physician before I began my HRT at the age of 49. I told them of my family history, I have 3 older sisters, as well as my mother who I took after. To give you an idea of how that conversation I remember telling both of them my mother used to joke when it came to her daughters a C cup was a training bra. Well it took a bit in the beginning for any breast development to take place although my hips and backside took favorably to the new regimen within a matter of months. After a year I could barely fill an A cup, another year later I was a moderate B and then things stabilized. For probably 18 months I was happy as a fair sized 36B, my clothes fit well and I managed nicely in my transition. Then for whatever reason I hit a "growth spurt" and over the next year or so I "blossomed" ending up a very full 36D. My sisters teased me I maybe still be the baby sister but at least I was no longer the "little" sister. My doctors never have figured how or why this all happened but I was delighted, well at least in the beginning. Trust me being chesty is not all it is cracked up to be however it was my lot in life. That was close to 10 years ago and with the exception of when I put a few pounds on which I try not to I have been a full D. Putting on weight for me means it starts right in the boobs and there are a few 36DD bras in the bottom of my drawer for those times.

The only way to truly know how HRT will change your body dimensions regardless of your age is to go on it. I know I have never regretted it, well maybe in the summer when I see women in those cute little tops and I sigh knowing there is no way the girls are going to fit into anything like that.