Mae Dean quote-boosted the author that wrote this blog post on Bluesky and I figured linking it here would be useful for my followers, particularly #transfems planning on/currently taking/thinking about taking #estrogen and maybe #progesterone if uncertain about the 1-2 year "maximum effect" thing studies mention, because (spoiler) they weren't long enough: https://stainedglasswoman.substack.com/p/transition-timelines
We've been hearing an increasing number of reports of trans people's GPs refusing to prescribe their HRT to them - even if they have a letter from an NHS gender clinic requesting that they do.
I have a breast growth question. I have read and heard from multiple sources that I should not expect any changes in body shape in the first 3 months (and sometimes even beyond that point), that the fat redistribution won't happen overnight, etc etc. And so I was fully prepared to wait and not fret too much about when my boobs or hips were going to start growing.
But then, this week the bras that I bought well before beginning HRT and that had always felt snug and comfortable were not feeling so snug and comfortable anymore. I noticed they started leaving significant marks on my skin and the underwire was poking my sideboob and armpit a bit. I loosened the shoulder straps, which helped alleviate the problem a bit, but it still didn't feel right.
I didn't take any measurements before going on hormones, but then I remembered that early on I did take some pictures of my breasts, for future reference. I scrolled through my pictures, and then took off my clothes and stood in front of my mirror... and I gasped. There is a very significant difference, specially in the left breast. It's really noticeable, even with just a passing glance. It's not from weight; in fact, I lost a kilo since starting HRT.
I know that of course everyone is different and that there are exceptions to every rule; also, I am certain that if this is happening to me it has certainly happened to others. But I am still stumped. Has this happened to anyone out here?
I also noticed a significant hardening of the tissue in the centre, close to the areola; is that to be expected?
So yeah, I am obsessing with my boobs (boobsessing?) right now. I am sitting in bed topless, and every 30 seconds or so I look down to admire them. I am in awe. As if I needed another reason to be blissful.
EDIT: Just to add that next week I will have been 3 months on HRT (15/2).
Google has removed two websites providing “DIY” hormone replacement therapy used in gender-affirming care from search results at the request of the UK government, according to legal letters viewed by 404 Media (@404mediaco).
Given how many trans folks rely on information acquisition via search engines, espeically early on in transition, because they allow natural language queries, increased restriction to information sets a concerning precedent.
Starting HRT, I like to imagine my body as a general contractor who is frustrated with my last minute changes to the construction plans.
"The fuck is this? Look, we already finished most of the work. I won't be able to do most of this. Alright, you don't want the carpet anymore, I can get my guys back in here to tear it out. I can probably do the electrical, but I can't do shit about the plumbing. You're just gonna have to live with it."
Again, don't like doing this. But better safe than sorry.
I've been dragging my feet at taking the walk to grabbing my official #HRT pills because I'm a paranoid fuck about getting slapped with a co-pay I can't afford. So better safe than sorry.
Even though I'm on Medicaid now, I wouldn't put that shit past a pharmacy at this point. Remember when I got slapped with a $70 co-pay when I got 'official' HRT?
Hopefully, I can quit doing this begging sooner rather than later, but that'd require me getting hired.
Since it's been a year since I started HRT, have a #trans timeline. Left was at my wedding, a few years before I came out and right is now, 5 years later, 2 years into transition and 1 year into hormone replacement therapy :)
Is anyone down to start a transgender religion so that we can finally start having some rights and freedoms in this godforsaken country #uspol#trans#hrt
I’m just spitballing here but maybe this could help us create a stronger community as well as give us legal foundation for things like HRT that would be more difficult to fight in court.
also i really want my own Wikipedia page and i think becoming trans god is the perfect way to do that
The good news is that thanks to the help of TeaHRT and @SleepyCatten , I have my spare #HRT coming to me. Crisis averted. I'm also meeting with a new, Medicaid-approved psychiatrist and therapist that'll be needed for the bad news.
The bad news? This morning, my mom passed away at the age of 60 due to complications of lung cancer. She was fighting via chemo on-and-off for the past five years. But about a-week-&-a-half ago, it reached the point where she sought at-home hospice. Me and my siblings were caretakers and assisted the hospice nurses as mom deteriorated more rapidly than expected.
I'm an emotional wreck right now. Thank the-deity-of-your-choice for dogs giving me support in this trying time.
I wish for all the people who believe #trans kids should be subjected to double-blind studies of the effectiveness of hormone treatments to themselves subjected to the first double-blind studies of the effectiveness of parachutes.
can some #trans#transfem people help out, is my estrogen like crazy high or is the fact that they upped my dosage at the same time I got this blood test taken fine?
The results were 436 pg/ml. They did not give me any frame of reference for this number… #HRT#estrogen#diyhrt
I’ve officially been on Testopel (aka “testosterone pellets”) for 3 years! :blob_cat_dance:
Testopel is a form of HRT where tiny rice-sized pellets of testosterone are implanted in the body through a small incision in the hip / butt cheek area. The pellets release testosterone over a period of 3-6 months (the amount of time varies for each person.) I started taking Testopel in March 2020, after previously being on testosterone gel. I consider it a huge improvement from gel because my T levels have been more stable and I only have to worry about my hormones every few months instead of daily which is SO convenient and really helps with dysphoria.
Here is a thread where I talk about Testopel and my experiences with it. Feel free to ask questions if you have any.
Yesterday, I saw the first of several doctors I will need to line up since my (unplanned) relocation. I liked her. She works in an #LGBT friendly clinic and will handle my #Feminizing#HRT on an ongoing basis.
It was a surprisingly long appointment IME. All told the appointment was almost two hours, plus an hour round-trip travel time.
By the time I got home, I was exhausted and in a mild #fibro flare.
Hey guys, I got into a car accident this week. I can no longer perform my job of doordashing, I also have a ton of expensives relating to the tow. My cashapp is
I started medically transitioning in 2010, I went on compounded testosterone cream in the spring of 2010, and moved to injections in the fall of that year. I’ve done cream, gel, patches, injections and now implanted pellets.
So far pellets have been the simplest method of administration. No residue to rub off on my partner, no bruising, no pain, no itchy welts from the patch adhesives.
I have to wait to see my levels but purely in terms of process I would recommend pellets. #HRT#TransMasc
Here's something interesting for all of those trans fems out there that are worried about testosterone levels or that have been invalidated by family members and friends telling them that they only think they're trans because they "have low testosterone"
The red cross on that graph is my pre transition testosterone level vs the average values in cis men, by age.
As you can see, my T levels were HIGH! And yet here I am :)
I'm feeling cheated over here, I’ve been a week on HRT and my boobs are nowhere to be seen... 😁
In all seriousness, I am curious: what was the first effect you girls felt from HRT, physical or mental, and how long did it take for you to feel it? And what was something that happened early on that surprised you, some effect that you weren't expecting or prepared for?
Pinging the #trans Hivemind again for an #HRT question: Does someone have experience with topical Progesterone gel? I have used the soft capsules for a while, tried them both orally and rectally, but they didn't really do anything for me and my levels were pretty low as well.
I want to see if a different vector works better for me, but I'm not sure on stuff like dosage, how often to apply etc.