Effects of Hormones on the Body and Mind

[Carol]

Time for an update.
Libido: To put in context, since my prostate op in 2000, my erections and ejaculations are a thing of the past. I’ve been on hormones since April 2013 and since October 2013 the very enjoyable “dry climaxes” that I could achieve are now also gone. I still love a cuddle and me or another touching my growing boobs. I’ve thrown away the forms.
Hair: As reported before but the bald spot on my head is definitely starting to fill in.
Emotions: definitely more of empathy, weepinesss, maternal/protective but also short fuse about being blocked in my efforts to feminise.

[Anonymous]

Hi

I have been on HRT since Oct 27 2013.

I am on 50mg daily cyproterone (antiandrogen) and 6mg daily Progynova, plus one daily gel sachet of Oestradiol (Dr thinks it best to mix in topical with ingested estrogen)

Initial observations

1- Considerable sexual decline, though i am more attracted to men than women
2- considerable reduction in body hair growth except beard, but laser is taking care of that
3- some weight redistribution, a narrowing of the jawline and shoulders, people say i look ‘bony’ as muscle mass deteriorates
4- significant emotional response, teary, angry, frustrated, almost overwhelming sometimes
5- spike in depression/anxiety
6- nil body odour, feet used to be a beast, nothing now, very nice!
7- small breast development, training bra is necessary

There are other minor changes, a general shift towards a more feminine appearance that is becoming difficult to explain away to people i am not yet out to.

Best decision i ever made, to reiterate previous posters.

[Anonymous]

Hello all.
Not going to see 59 years again… been on varying estrogen for a year and a half, with two breaks..(Long story)
To date:- Lost lots of weight and tummy, due to radical lifestyle / eating alterations. -But put some of it back on….around hips, breasts (yay!) and lower tummy area. Not worried about the width as the waist is now obvious as such. Still barely a B cup, so they’re not obtrusive. Yet.
No real loss of physical strength as the gym is high on my priorities. Having said that, any slackness on attendance and my fitness drops off markedly. Can’t say if that’s the estrogen or lack of T, old(er) age or all of the above.

Mental & Emotional:-
Well, not so decisive in thinking, though in some areas much clearer. – Showing up my feminine viewpoint rather than male. A much safer driver, easy to keep to speed limits and, dare I say it, ‘Obey’. and all the word suggests. More considerate to other motorists, less easily provoked and the passion when I am…..is so much less and shorter-lived.
Downside is greater caution, bordering on lack of confidence.

I find myself getting teary at the strangest times and reasons, and only lately have I let myself cry. Or let the turmoil surface unmolested. As one who has endured depression / repression forever, this in itself is liberating…to feel overcome with a, “feeling” is so very new, and to experience it with no sense of guilt or humiliation is Wonder-Full.
– Social sensitivity is better. Funny how such little things about a person now capture my notice, details I’d never seen through the testosterone!
And conversations. Love to listen, really listen, and see and feel the ebb and flow, sharing confidences or reading between the lines with other women.; no wonder they talk a lot.

The other day (still very much ‘In the Closet’) was idly filing my nails – few broken ones – and without thinking about it, caught myself shaping them in a distinctly female fashion. Nothing special, an oval profile instead of the male’s shorter & practical ’round’ one.
Libido has dropped like a stone, at least on the surface. Its also changed, so that what’s left needs to be coaxed out. You could say that it responds to ‘seduction’ but would (now) never make an obvious first move. Nipple sensitivity can be devastating. ) My fantasies are… well, not those of a hetero Aussie bloke. Enough said !!! Body hair is softer and I’d love to say it’s reduced. My balding has ceased. Still got hair on top, just not a lot. But not losing any more, feels fuller (?) and my barber has mentioned what looks like “re-growth”.
Medically, I take E, as well as Dutas for the hair, and when I feel breast growth has slowed, will add micronized progesterone to round them out, so to speak.
Put simply, my heart is more content, the mind stable and having even subtle Female shape is gorgeous, with More to come I hope…