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{"id":7126,"date":"2021-02-15T15:56:12","date_gmt":"2021-02-15T15:56:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/otchormones.com\/?page_id=7126"},"modified":"2023-06-20T08:52:07","modified_gmt":"2023-06-20T08:52:07","slug":"changes-to-expect-when-taking-mtf-hormones","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/otchormones.com\/changes-to-expect-when-taking-mtf-hormones\/","title":{"rendered":"What Changes Can I Expect when taking Hormones, and How Soon? (Benefits)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFeminizing\u201d hormone therapy has important psychological benefits.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bringing the mind and body closer together eases gender dysphoria and can help trans people feel better about their bodies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

People who have had gender dysphoria often describe being less anxious, less depressed, calmer, and happier when they start taking hormones. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For some people, this psychological change happens as soon as they start taking hormones; for others, it happens as physical changes happen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The degree and rate of change depend on factors that are different for every person, including your age, the number of hormone receptors in your body, and how sensitive your body is to the medication. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no way to know how your body will respond before starting hormones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Taking anti-androgens alone (without estrogen)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Spironolactone<\/a>
This medicine may cause enlargement of breasts in male patients as a side effect. Aldactone Tablet is a type of diuretic (water pill). This medicine reduces excess fluid levels and testosterone in the body and is used to treat edema (fluid overload). It makes you lose excess water through urine. This medicine should be taken only during day time to avoid frequent urination at night. It may be used alone or in combination with other medicines.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Taking an anti-androgen without estrogen has relatively mild effects.
The changes are caused by the medication blocking the effect of
testosterone in your body. Most of the changes are reversible (i.e., they
will reverse if you stop taking the medication).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Typical changes from anti-androgens (vary from person to person)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

See Average timeline Effect of blocking testosterone<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

1\u20133 months after starting anti-androgens<\/strong><\/td>Gradual changes (usually at least two years)<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Gradual changes (usually at least 2 years)<\/strong><\/td>\u2022 slower growth of facial and body hair
\u2022 slowed or stopped \u201cmale\u201d-pattern balding
\u2022 slight breast growth (reversible in some cases, not in others)<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>
Anti-androgens affect the entire body.
It\u2019s not possible to pick some changes and not others.<\/strong><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

2. Estrogen<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"estradiol<\/a>
Estradiol (2 MG) is a form of estrogen. Estradiol is used to treat symptoms of menopause, such as hot flashes, vaginal dryness, burning, and irritation.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Taking estrogen has stronger physical \u201cfeminizing\u201d effects caused by
the estrogen\u2019s direct influence on cells of your body that have estrogen
receptors and also by an indirect suppression of testosterone production.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Typical changes from estrogen (vary from person to person)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

See Average Timeline Effect of Estrogen<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

1\u20133 months after starting estrogen<\/strong><\/td>\u2022 softening of the skin
\u2022 decrease in muscle mass and increase in body fat
\u2022 redistribution of body fat to a more \u201cfeminine\u201d pattern
\u2022 decrease in sex drive
\u2022 fewer instances of waking up with an erection or spontaneously
having an erection; some MTFs also find their erections are less
firm during sex, or can\u2019t get erect at all
\u2022 decreased ability to make sperm and ejaculatory fluid<\/td><\/tr>
Gradual changes
(maximum change
after 1\u20132 years
on estrogen)<\/strong><\/td>		\u2022 nipple and breast growth
\u2022 slower growth of facial and body hair
\u2022 slowed or stopped \u201cmale\u201d-pattern balding
\u2022 decrease in testicular size<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>

Estrogen affects the entire body.
It\u2019s not possible to pick some changes and not others.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Breast and nipple growth starts early but is usually gradual \u2013 it can take two years or more for breasts to reach their maximum size. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As in non-trans women, there is great variation in how large breasts grow from estrogen. In many MTFs, breasts do not grow beyond an A or B cup. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you are unhappy with the size of your breasts after 18\u201324 months on estrogen, you can consider surgical augmentation (see Surgery: A guide for MTFs booklet). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The implants will look most natural if you wait to get as much growth as possible from hormones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most of the effects of hormones happen in the first two years. During this time, the doctor who prescribes your hormones will want to see you one month after starting or changing your dose, then 3\u20134 times in the next year, then every six months. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At appointments in the first two years, your doctor will likely:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 look at your facial\/body hair and ask how fast your hair grows back
after you remove it
\u2022 measure your breasts, hips, and testicles, and examine your
breast\/nipple development
\u2022 ask about changes to your sex drive, erections, or other sexual
changes
\u2022 order a blood test to see what your hormone levels are
\u2022 ask how you feel about the changes that have happened thus far<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After two years have passed, you will likely just be asked if you notice
any further changes from the hormones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Medications and Dosage<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Anti Androgens<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Two anti-androgen options seem to be more widely used than others. These are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n