#hormone replacement

Ah, thank you so much for asking!! I appreciate it!!

Well, the experience is really quite vastly different for every person on HRT.

For me, it was one of the best choices I have ever made in my life. I was hopelessly and horribly dysphoric for my whole life to the point of nearly not being able to function (dysphoria coupled with severe mental illnesses is for sure A Bad Time) and I was lucky enough to be able to get on it fairly early, thank God because I probably would not have lasted longer-apologies for that dark subject but it is necessary to mention for how much it turned my life around entirely.

I am still not fully transitioned to my liking per sé, as the full range of Testosterone's complete effects is a maximum of 5 years according to my research. I have been on it for nearly 2 years now. I plan to be on it for the rest of my life if possible, as I'd like all effects to stay forever-- I fucking ADORE every second of it, honestly I'm not afraid of needles either like most are so I literally get ecstatic & excited every time it's time to inject LOL!! Probably a weird reaction but--it legit makes me wanna throw a party every time those 2 weeks pass & it is time to.

(Not all forms of HRT have to be injected however, though it is the "strongest, most evenly distributed form" especially if done every 2 weeks instead of every 1 week,

as my doctor described it, which made me choose it--and coupled w my lack of giving a shit about injecting lmaoo)

I have had a lot of effects, I am also finally growing actual facial hair which is nice-though I learned I prefer my face clean-shaven or at least mostly, which is a hilarious twist tbh as I thought I'd want a full beard. I'm cool with both but I definitely prefer how I look without, so I shave every now & then currently.

My body looks entirely different, at least my shoulders and arms HELLA, I've had strong asf cis men say I'm built better than them which gives me giggle-fits of pridefulness LMAO--im petty ig--

but anyway to get to the true point--I would not be where I am today or perhaps here at all, myself, if I didn't go on it and exactly when I did. I am so extremely grateful for it occurring and that I have access to it at all--I am honestly hardly feeling dysphoria except on Really Bad days when it still hits me. Even things I should be dysphoric about and was in the past, idgaf about now. My chest barely bothers me now, and used to be my personal Hell. I have even decided to not do top surgery in the future which is... really bizarre as I was DESPERATE for it before (however this most-dysphoria-removal effect seems to be rare, so don't expect it to "cure" dysphoria, it didn't for me either but I'd say reduced it by like 90% or something lol. But most don't have that strong of a reaction)

My advice for you and every trans person on the fence about it, would be do a CRAP TON of research, on its every effect, type, etc. and talk to or read about/etc. as many people you can find who can give their opinions on their own experiences-as everyone has a different story!

If it is a "HELL YES" after that, then definitely go through with it. If there is still doubt, I'd wait. There is no rush as you can always decide to begin in the future

Know though, that if you do start it, but wish to stop later,

in some ways there's a "reset button",

but in some ways there is not.

Some effects will reverse if you stop taking T, like the fat & muscle redistribution, etc.

however some will stay, for example any body or facial hair that develops will then grow forever as the follicle is "activated" (male hair is a different subtype of hair, so once it's made it can't be reversed) and etc.

Be aware of which effects do this, and just in general, get as much information you can gather.

This info-gathering also has the added bonus, of impressing TF out of your endocrinologist if you do happen to choose to go the route of beginning taking it--

During the consultation, they'll ask if you know about it well, and for me, I began on a spiel of the things I knew & how much I researched because I was so excited to begin and how much it would help me.

By my Dr's reaction she was blown away by my very informed decision, that I had thought about it VERY hard, & I think that is what assisted me greatly in acquiring the prescription for it so fast.

Basically, if they either know or just think you are going into this without much context or don't seek it passionately, they think you may change your mind and that you're "going through a phase" or that you can't consent due to not enough information that you know on it for such a majour medical decision.

If you come in confident asf that this is what you need, and you're like "Yeah I know this, I got this shit locked down" they know they're dealing with someone who is very damn sure this is the path they need, and thus the doctor doesn't have to worry nor explain more, which speeds everything up.

Overall, I will end this by saying I wish you the utmost good luck, and that whatever path you choose, you feel happy and gender-euphoric!! Thank you for asking my advice & I hope I helped in any way!! 👍👍💜🏳️‍⚧️

(ALSO I SEE UR USERNAME MMMMMNN YES, SOMEONE WITH QUALITY TASTE IN CHARACTERS--LMAOOO SRRY IM A SHAMELESS WILLIAM FANATIC, I GOTTA MENTION THAT

HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy) is a synthetic hormone regimen that causes changes in physical and psychological characteristics, much like a second puberty to alter your hormone levels to better match your view of yourself. 

Estrogen HRT

Changes

When engaging in estrogen HRT, you will first begin to notice physical changes like breast development, changes in sweat production, and weight redistribution. Emotional changes follow quickly--remember the emotional rollercoaster the first time you went through puberty? The second time is no exception, only this time instead of becoming fertile, you will develop the inability to birth children. You will soon notice changes in your sexual experiences and the behavior of your genital organs. Don’t be afraid to experiment with your newly discovered sensations of pleasure--and don’t be afraid to ask questions of your health practitioner! Read more about this here. 

The Regimen

Estrogen-based HRT typically begins with a regimen of spironolactone which blocks androgen receptors and suppresses testosterone production. After six to eight weeks, you’ll be prescribed estrogen which can be taken as a pill, by injection, as a cream, gel, spray, or patch. Your health practitioner will work with you to determine the best option for you!

Testosterone HRT

Changes

When participating in testosterone HRT, you will first notice physical changes like skin becoming more oily and perhaps acneic, an increase in sweat production, changes in fat distribution, an increase in muscle mass, deepening of voice, and an increase in body hair (though head hair might start to bald). Just like your first bout with puberty, the second time might be similarly rough--but likely much more rewarding this time around. Just like the first time, your libido will increase. Your sexual orientation might also change, so feel free to explore all this newness! If you got periods before, they will slow down until they stop altogether. Testosterone greatly reduces your ability to get pregnant, but it is not impossible. If you have a uterus, you can become pregnant on testosterone; use some form of birth control to prevent unwanted pregnancy. However, you won’t need to stop testosterone to carry a pregnancy to term. Talk to your healthcare provider about cancer and other health risks associated with testosterone hormone therapy. Read more about it here.

The Regimen

Testosterone therapy is typically prescribed as either a topical gel or either a subcutaneous (SubQ) injection or intramuscular (IM) injection. SubQ needles are anywhere from half an inch to five-eighths of an inch in length and as small as a 27-gauge. (Pro-tip: the smaller the number, the smaller the diameter of the needle.) SubQ injections are absorbed into the body more slowly than IM injections, and so differ in the frequency and amount of injections you may need. However, SubQ injections are just as effective as IM. Subcutaneous doses are injected at an angle in areas of high fat and deliver smaller doses about a week apart. 

I was convinced I wouldn't make it this far. I told my exes repeatedly I'd never get testosterone or top surgery like I wanted. They would always tell me to be patient. It caused us a lot of issues and even made things increasingly more unhealthy as time went on. Eventually after losing enough people I came to this conclusion that if I stay single and work on myself, my life will only continue to get better and I will find that my life will thank me in many ways.

And although depression will keep trying to pull me down I know I'm determined enough that I won't let it. Both Sidney and Sami pointed out at the end of our relationships how narcissistic I was. I gained new perspectives and knowledge about how to handle my issues. I ran from medications for my mental health for nearly a decade because I have seen what the wrong medications and the wrong dosages can do to a person, and it scared me. Eventually I decided I was going to avoid basking in my own mental health issues because I had seen enough of what it was doing to the people I loved.

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