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| My Hormone
Experience |
| UPDATED 1 APRIL 99 |
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Hormones was something I was always interested in but held
off as I didn't think I had a possibility of going full time, and I'd heard from many that
they were not as critical to passing as many believe. But as my situation grew more acute,
the time to go on hormones seemed ripe. I considered getting into a University Gender
program, but local TS steered me away from that, saying that their thinking was out of
date and their control absolute. Much more attractive was the possibility of picking your
own therapy regimen. So I chose a private psychiatrist and physician to work with. My
electrologist recommended a general practitioner friend who had treated many transsexuals
in the past. I did some on-line research, and decided that I probably wanted injectable
estrogen and most critically needed periodic blood monitoring. I went to see the doctor in
early February 98. After a brief series of T-related questions, the doctor agreed to get
me going on hormone therapy. I brought along the list of blood work I thought should be
done, which was more thorough than what he prescribed. Since I hadn't had a physical in a
while, I had that done as well. Everything checked out, except Prolactin, which was very
high, and blood pressure, also high (no surprise as this has always been a problem when in
doctors' offices). I bought a blood pressure cuff to monitor myself at home and set up an
appointment with an endocrinologist to test Prolactin again. This turned out to be a false
alarm, as the level was normal on retest. My blood pressure was averaging 140/82 at home,
not too bad. So the doc got me started on 21 March with 20ml injectable Estradiol Valerate
per week for a month, followed by 10ml/week afterward. I upped this to 20ml/week again in
Mar 99, to test for better feminization. I also am taking 5mg DUPHASTON (dydrogesterone),
a progesterone, for 10 days/month. To supplement that, I take PROSCAR to try to get some
hair fullness at the crown of my head and to help mitigate my ample body hair. I break a
PROSCAR tablet into about 4 chunks and take 1/day. I added ANDROCUR, an androgen blocker,
to the mix in Feb 99. I noticed no mental or emotional effects on taking the hormones,
other than a sense of personal satisfaction about the fact that I was doing it. The first
thing I noticed was a marked drop in blood pressure, down to about 120/70. Good news.
Physical signs began at about 3 weeks, with the typical hardening and soreness beneath the
nipples. After three months, changes were quite dramatic, with a significant increase in
breast tissue, nipple size, and a more moderate increase in hip size. To my great
pleasure, I lost 2 inches in the waist during this time.My weekly regimen of 10ml of
Estradiol Valerate was replaced by Dimenformon Prolungatum (functionally equivalent, I'm
told) after about 4 months because EV was no longer available in Belgium. It seems that DP
provides a better time distribution. |
| Progress Reports |
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At my HRT + 4 months, I had a blood test. Here's where things
stood. HORMONE LEVELS
|
Pre HRT |
After 4 Months |
| FSH |
5.2 |
0.1 |
| Prolactin |
513* |
180 |
| LH |
5.4 |
1.3 |
| Estradiol |
19 |
309 |
| Progesterone |
.2 |
.1 |
| Testosterone |
478 |
21 |
*initial Prolactin elevation required detailed endocrinology test, and turned
out ok, but delayed start of HRT by 6 weeks. 4 month follow-up also OK.
These levels I thought on target and my physician was happy with them. |
| Hair |
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After a year on PROSCAR.... The thinning on my crown, which
was not significant, but previously displayed a scalp 'shine' in brighter lighting
(starting when I was about 31), has mostly disappeared and my hair thickness seems to be
restored to the condition it was, say, in my twenties. Widow's peak area seems unchanged.
Body hair growth is slowing, and the hairs are thinner and somewhat lighter in color. It
seems the ANDROCUR is helping this, but since I've been on it only 2 months as of April 99
it is hard to tell. This has a long way to go though. I bleach my arm hairs, and trim them
back slightly with barbers clippers. Before HRT, I would have to do this twice a week to
get the look I wanted, and one bleach treatment wouldn't get them completely blonde. Now a
normal 10 minute application is enough, and it looks ok for probably a month. I hope this
trend continues. The once moderately disgusting amount hair on my back has continued to
thin and now mostly disappeared. Elsewhere, body hair persists, but is much less
troublesome. I find hairy breasts to be a most disgusting thing to have. December
98 Update
In September 98, on recommendation from other T friends I started using Minoxodil
(Rogaine 5%) once a day on my heavily receded hairline around the temples (widow's peak).
By December, a fine growth has appeared in front of the hairline, with longer 'peach
fuzz' type growth out now to about 1cm in places that were totally hairless. We shall
see if this trend continues, but something is definitely happening up there. I've been
told that the combination of Rogaine, Proscar, Estrogen, and Retin-A is powerful in doing
this. I haven't added Retin-A to the mix yet, but with this encouragement I will and apply
the Rogaine twice a day. |
| Body Changes |
|
Breasts - Nipples grew probably 50% in size
and although I didn't measure aureole diameter, they are taking on a decidedly feminine
appearance, which is probably aided by the contour change from breast growth and nipple
swelling. Breast shape is decidedly feminine. I now have to wear a tight T-shirt to
conceal them when in male mode. In April 99 I started wearing a Jog Bra underneath the
t-shirt as I passed the A cup mark. In femme mode, I have discarded the breast forms and
wear a padded bra. I found that simple breast measurement doesn't tell the story, as there
has been a corresponding decrease in the measurement of my chest below the breast... Body - Effects of HRT
| |
Pre-HRT |
HRT + 6 mos. |
HRT + 9 mos |
 HRT +
1 Year |
| Breast measurement |
40 |
41 |
40.5 |
41 |
| Ribcage below breast |
37 |
36 |
35 |
34.5 |
| Difference |
3 |
5.5 |
5.5 |
6-6.5 |
| Waist |
35.5 |
33.5 |
33 |
32 3/4 |
| Hips |
41.5 |
42.5 |
42.25 |
41.5 |
| Waist/Hip Ratio |
.86 |
.79 |
.78 |
.79 |
I find the waist/hip ratio progression most encouraging, as .7 is considered the ideal
ratio, and under .8 being more female norms. I hope I can keep the progress going.
I'm a bit disturbed at the loss of hip size. I started losing weight since the last
reading, and it seems to be going from there! I hope this stops.
But, my upper body mass continues to shrink. I have lost, in addition to 2" in the
ribcage, I've lost 3/4" in the biceps, and 1/2" in the neck, from 15.5 to
15".
Face - Others in the know tell me that my face has softened, but this
has been very difficult for me to assess. I'm told the pores on the face tend to close up
on HRT, but it seems that after I finished electrolysis, this started to happen over
time anyhow. It seems I'm passing better now, but this is highly subjective and dependent
on other factors, most notably my overall confidence level. I have very recently been
called Madame by the cashier the last two trips to the grocer. Maybe it is the HRT, but
significantly contributed by my hair length, which is in April between 6.5-8".
Skin texture - Overall, skin texture seems softened, but this is
difficult to judge.
Genitals - My testicles are less defined. I would describe them as
mushy and more flattened, rather than round. They will occasionally, on their own,
disappear inside the cavity, which happened rarely before. Penis size seems unchanged.
Erections are still possible but slower coming.
Muscles - There seems to be a slight softening of muscle definition. I
notice this mostly in my calves, which are well defined and often kept me from skirts
unless they are long. The large calve muscle is still there, but seems less defined and
softer when I flex it. But not enough. I hope this continues. |
| Other Physiological Changes |
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Skin Moisture - Skin is dryer and hands and
face absolutely require moisturizer. Perspiration is down. Scalp Dandruff, which was a
periodic serious problem, disappeared. Blood Pressure - Although I'd
been warned that Blood Pressure often rises with HRT, the opposite occurred with me. I
suffer from White Coat syndrome, and have to self-measure at home in very quiet settings
(like at bedtime) to get consistent readings. My average readings dropped from 132/81 to
120/71 very quickly after starting HRT. I and medical professionals I've consulted with
attribute this to mental stress relief because of the therapeutic effect of HRT on a
gender weirdo like myself.
Odor - Many report significant odor and taste changes, which I've been
unable to detect, except possibly for crotch odor.
Energy levels - It seemed at first I experienced a little extra
weakness, fatigue, and perhaps occasional very slight dizziness, but after time I would
report no noticeable changes.
Temperature sensitivity and sense of taste - No noticeable changes.
Perhaps a weakened resolve to resist chocolate? |
| Emotional |
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I feel very UP about being on HRT, and am very encouraged by
the effects. I did have a couple of spontaneous weeping fits after about 1 month, but they
were also big-time crisis points, and I'm not sure how much of it was physiologically
induced. I am naturally prone to tears anyhow…. I cried when I saw Dumbo at age 22.
All in all, I've noticed very little that I can pin down to emotional changes. I can only
say I'm happier on HRT, and get very nervous about the idea of having to stop. |
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