Patience really is the hardest thing. I'm 46 and only started transitioning a couple months ago, because I lived for a long time thinking I was just stuck as is and there was nothing to do. Now that I'm trying to change and it so so very very hard to have patience for something I wish I could have done over 30 years ago.
@matthewcalifana4886 күн бұрын
Kind of funny , Just started HRT 1/2 year ago , & almost 70 years old - So wish I could have done 51 years ago . Best Wishes and Peace to All .
@Britneygurl5 күн бұрын
I started last year at 45 and the first few months not much happened. Have patience. It will come.
@roxyamused6 күн бұрын
I'm 40, a little over 3.5yrs on estradiol (2.5 for IM) and my body changed wonderfully but my face's fat and seemingly skin texture didn't change. I, however, have forgotten that my mother did not have the super smooth complexion some have. I got laser for 10-12 visits and I need electrolysis because I have a lot of blond hair and my hair is differently colored in different light- and grows fast. I get gendered correctly pretty often by strangers/people noticeably treat me weird. C'est la vie, om ah hum. Keep the faith girlies.
@sheilalynn36156 күн бұрын
Body fat has been the biggest change. My skin is softer too. A (tanner 3) B cup is acceptable to minimize my dysphoria. I still have days I wish for more, but I can work with these results. Good luck to everyone, have a wonderful journey. Happy New Year Dr Z, you're the best. Peace Sheila
@pandastacy6 күн бұрын
Idk, I honestly don't see any fat redistribution. Still boyish thighs. Seem like all my fat went into my face smh. I like BRUH WTH!! soon to be four years on a pill. At least my boobs are borderline C cup🤷🏻♀️
@rickallen56604 күн бұрын
That's good 🎉
@gwendolinegoetz92246 күн бұрын
The best mindset is not expecting anything and be happy with what you get. This is easier for me as I was full-time long before HRT. Physical changes accelerated after 3 years of HRT.
@Krysfranqui36386 күн бұрын
I have been on hormones for 3 1/2 years now. While I had some changes within the first year, I didn’t feel like I was getting a whole lot of really tangible shifts and things until about the three year mark. It was almost as though it happened overnight, where I looked in the mirror and I’m seeing myself in a different way that is both exciting and sometimes a little confusing. Because I don’t know what changed or why all of a sudden it seems to come out of nowhere. It really does help to be patient, but that is definitely one of the most difficult things to do for anything, but especially when referring to gender affirming care.
@VladaDudak6 күн бұрын
I’m 3.5 years on HRT and I cannot see any significant changes and people around me neither. I still look like cisgender man. Sir’d constantly everywhere.
@EvaCher34656 күн бұрын
For me, this sudden change in my self-perception happened around 1 year and 8 months after the start of HRT, but I boosted it by radically changing my hairstyle and makeup habits, so it helped me to see changes
@rickallen56604 күн бұрын
I'll be patient but I hope to see results soon
@kentalwinweaver2 күн бұрын
@@EvaCher3465"self perception" is key to my transition. I watch for small changes. In five weeks I have experienced less shedding of scalp hair, slowed growth of secondary hair on my face and limbs, and nipple tenderness as breast budding begins. Libido is way down. Erectile function does not exist at all. I find I do not mind at all. Best of all, I am having no anxiety about my gender assigned at birth, and no male performance anxiety physically, financially, or socially.
@wilburshuman6 күн бұрын
I restarted Hrt 19 months ago at 64 yrs old , after a 23 year hiatus and, the results are Amazing to say the least !!!! 20 years disappeared off my face almost overnight !!! I went into this with almost, no expectations whatsoever too !!!! I must be one of the ones, whose body wanted and desperately needed the hormones as I am in such a better place now. The biggest change was when I started on progesterone 4 months ago, My breast growth exploded . I knew it would make a difference but never expected to fill out a full C cup so soon........... And the fat redistribution, doesn't happen, If you lose all the fat to begin with and then put the "good" fat back on , It will go where its needed !!!!! My only issue at this point....... The progesterone makes me absolutely crave food as it wants that intake to round out the body !!!! Thank you Dr.Z, for All You Do !!!
@hankdunckel3756 күн бұрын
Pam wants to Thank You for a recap of what you expected and received. I love your approach to this major body changing.
@serenasynthesis6 күн бұрын
I almost want to make a response video… Bonafides: I’ve been on E three months shy of five years as of the writing. (Year 1 oral, Years 2-5 injection) I noticed two real changes from HRT. One was psychological, in that I feel better being on estrogen. How much of that is estrogen and how much of that is placebo effect, I don’t know. The only other thing is that my copious dark body hair lightened and thinned, but only in some spots. Other than that, _nothing_. No chest development, no fat redistribution, no real facial changes… though the last one is at least deceptive. So, point #1… is along with acceptance, it’s also okay to some extent to be sad and frustrated and angry. If you are dealing with dysphoria and having done such a major thing in your life as transitioning… and not seeing much at all change… it absolutely can generate frustration. The thing about that though is that you have to work at acceptance of self or else the negative emotions will cycle much longer and reverberate negatively in your life. Point two is presentation. For your face, get a makeover. Get your brows done. Get facial hair removal. For your body, find clothes that will accentuate the parts of you that you find attractive… legs are a good one, for instance. Do what you can to work with what you have. Third point… I funneled my energy into surgical solutions to E not working. It didn’t change my face, so I worked with my insurance and a surgeon to change it myself. It didn’t give me any breast tissue, so I worked with insurance and a surgeon for that too. Point four is that this stuff is gradual and one of the best ways is to take pictures to see it actually happen. It’s hard to really notice the gradual changes if you don’t. Last note… I’ve been through all the things above myself. It really sucks when you have hopes going in, especially if you’d had so much struggle just coming out of the closet and really sacrificed a lot just for this one step of hormones… for it to not have much of an apparent effect, for you to still deal with dysphoria over this topic, because there’s not much else tethering you here except that hope… please just keep doing your best to remember joy, that there are always other ways forward, to tap your resources such as community, mental help, etc… because this is a big deal if you feel it’s happening to you.
@JayceeGenocide6 күн бұрын
A lot of people get surgeries & claim it's all HRT.
@DRZPHD6 күн бұрын
Good point.
@michaelaFlangee6 күн бұрын
First off everyones transition methods goals is unique to them. this is mine partly due to me and partly due to rules here. I socially transitioned before hrt as there was no other option for my transition i could no longer bear to wear male coded clothing, secondly here we have t be out and presenting one year to gain hrt. i have been lucky changes are noticeable physical and mental al positive and it feels like i got boobs this christmas and it is under months on hrt and even less on adrocur. very happy and trying to be patient and to have realistic hopes and goals for transition, all women are different and very few match the image presented by media.
@BeccaBecca715 күн бұрын
53, 7 yrs therapy, 4 yr hrt, AA cup, barely noticeable facial fat, long hair growth not noticeable from my male ponytail, any body/ beard reduction from finasteride greatly appreciated .. 2 yrs voice (free yt).. 3 yrs waist training,, I love my IPL .
@des-trina3 күн бұрын
I've been on e and Spiro for 9 months and 1 day, and progesterone for less than a month. I've had quite a bit of breast growth, and a tiny bit of fat redistribution in my face, but patiently waiting for other physical changes. Emotionally, I'm so much better off than I've ever been. I just feel right.
@Britneygurl5 күн бұрын
I know everyone is different. The first few months didn't amount to any physical changes, but the psychological changes were absolutely amazing. Feeling emotions for like the first time was just amazing and the psychological changes i have experienced as part of this transition have far outweighed the physical changes. But that is a good thing because I actually needed that the most. The physical changes started after the 3 month mark and have been slow and steady. Breast growth, smoother soft skin, drastic reduction in body hair, reversal of pattern baldness, smaller feet, thinner fingers, thinner forearms, muscle loss, testical shrinkage, 1" shorter, and some fat redistributed. 2025 marks year two and i am getting excited. Happy new year!
@rickallen56604 күн бұрын
Sounds great 👍
@debisaunders2298Күн бұрын
I have been on E patches and Spiro for just over 17 months, after social transition a month earlier. Changes psychologically were almost instant, and I have become more in tune with my emotions. I began to do lots more feminine things but that is social not medical. Physically, nothing really hsppened fir 6 months apart from some psin in my chest. In the past 6 months, i have developed real curves, A cup breasts that are still changing shape and growing, anf noticed some shrinkage. I still have lots of body hair despite lazer but this is thinning and less obvious. My facial hair is white so easy to shave away, is maybe a little weaker but I think I am stuck with it. My face has changed shape and softened. I am very happy with the changes so far, and have become a confident woman, eho is doing things I never thought possible such as wearing a swimsuit on the beach. I sm a lucky girl! Goid luck to you all.
@vanessaleblanc25836 күн бұрын
Thanks Dr.Z. This video wonderfully complements the message of your past episode regarding the internal process of transition and the merits of surgical options. I fully agree with you that at the core of this process, transition must first begin from the inside and develops for the self rather than for anyone else. The many internal dimensions of transition you mention, such as emotional, psychological, as well as being acknowledged, loved and seen are much, much more important than the external and physical aspects. As with any good food for the soul, change must come from within. Years ago, before I needed to face my fears and cross that line of self awareness, transition was the absolute last thing I wanted to do. Why would I? I was respected in a great career, I had a beautiful family and I enjoyed a privilege that was tough to ever think about letting go. The truth is that it was killing me from the inside. Coming to terms with myself and more than this, learning to appreciate myself, love myself and experience compassion changed my life in ways I struggle to describe. It gave me life before I even began HT. It took me two good years of therapy and work, but I now understand the importance of what you’re talking about. You are 100% on the money. Having transitioned a few years ago now, and seeing physical changes over time, which does take patience, I can appreciate these changes more because they are my own rather than playing a losing comparison game with everyone else. There is no need for that. Because I can appreciate who I am and how I got here, I feel way happier in my own skin than I have ever experienced in the past and that in itself is worth everything. For anyone struggling with how you see yourself and how others may be seeing you, Please read Dr.Z’s book and begin to appreciate yourself in your own terms. Start this dialogue with yourself.
@Kourtneywoods16 күн бұрын
I will say it takes years to see any effects on hrt and keeping levels at the right range between 500 and 600 is a perfect range for slowly seeing breast growth changes but you must need blood tests which will help to know the levels. Patience is key.
@joniroberta19506 күн бұрын
For me, it took over a year before I started to see breast growth. But they’ve been growing steadily for the last four months. The emotional changes kicked in just a few months after I started (I’m on patches). Those have built up over the last year. I have a stronger and more complex emotional response. But I’m also much happier. There have been skin changes but not any other significant changes in the face. I haven’t seen much fat redistribution except maybe to the waist, which I don’t want! I added progesterone a couple months ago, and I’ll be increasing the dose on my patches in a few months when I finish working through the current ones. I’m also working on diet and exercise, which at least helps tone up my arms and legs.
@CG-yh6js6 күн бұрын
4th month and breast growth is starting to be visible and quite sensitive if not painful some times.
@EvaCher34656 күн бұрын
Well it is truly unique for everybody, after about 2 years on HRT, I see robust facial feminization (and usually I'm gendered correctly now) but minimal breast growth (I blame genetics, women in my family don't have big boobs either and my expectation that on right HRT regimen, you can expect cup one size smaller than your mother) and most surprising part is effects on fat and body weight. While a lot of transwoman report gain in weight, I actually lost 12 kilograms, and fat goes away from my waist, but it is mostly nothing to redistribute to hips. Some transwomen I know also ask if I want to switch from estradiol in gel to injections to boost breast growth but I am skeptical about it, also in my country estradiol injections are not prescribed by doctors, so its completely black market underground source of it
@tr-rg3wi4 күн бұрын
I'm on esteral validate injections and had fantastic results in 10 months smale Cs even my endocrinologist said im a very lucky girl hips 38 waist 34 lost 130 lbs but need a skin reduction surgery Dr said 😊Jennifer Marie pre op trans lesbian
@richardmanguse60226 күн бұрын
So…..four years on hormones. I’m a late bloomer, 60. I’m using hormones to feminize and control blood pressure. I did not expect great results. I did develop enough substissue to allow a really good boob job. The owchies. It has been amazing. Glad to finally be ME.
@tr-rg3wi4 күн бұрын
Thanks Doc you put it in terms I understand 👍 Jennifer Marie pre op trans lesbian ❤️ 😊
@marti73435 күн бұрын
I just do not know. I have had pretty good breast growth and softer skin. A hair transplant helped a lot. Also, voice training. I have been on HRT for 25 months. I would love more body fat redistribution and facial changes. I started electrolysis, but it went badly and I had some scarring. I am hoping it clears up. For me, electrolysis has been a very difficult and costly process. I am doing electrolysis after laser for my body and beard, but I have mostly grey whiskers. My beard is quite thick. I am concerned I am not a candidate for electrolysis. It may be something I need to live with. I am constantly misgendered, probably because I am 5'11'' with very square shoulders and a broad chest. There is nothing I can do about that. I think if you transition when older it is very hard to pass because the changes are limited. I hope I am wrong and will see more changes. For me, adjusting psychologically has fluctuated. I think this is because of not passing and being misgendered. I am not like other girls who feel passing is not that important. It is important for me to match how I feel inside with how I look to others. Regardless, I am much happier now after transitioning and finally feel I am more myself. Happy New Year Dr. Z. You are the best! ❤
@rinkuraku52516 күн бұрын
I really wish I had bigger breasts, and more redistribution of body fat. Oh and I wish I had shrinkage. But while I can't really pin down the changes to my face, I have noticed a lot, and I can look at my reflection in the mirror now. So even if the results haven't been as big as I was hoping for, I'm still really happy with the changes I've had.
@MaxWattage2 күн бұрын
I think people need to beware of getting a false expectations of what results they might get, based on all the before-and-after images people post online. There is survivor's bias involved here, as only people that had amazing results with HRT and surgery put their before-and-after images online, biasing perceptions of what average results look like. Actual visual results are affected my many things, including medication, surgeries, skin-care, make-up, genetics, photo angle and lighting, hair-care, and physical fitness level.
@BingoMomi6 күн бұрын
Oral hrt gave me quick physical changes, but i experienced hair loss and mental banana-ism. So i stopped. Years after, i started again with injections, and the changes have seemed more subtle and slower. Patience is needed. I was on for 7 years, and i loved the changes and breasts grew to a C. However, our bodies are always changing due to diet, exercise, or age. While taking oral hrt, i drank a lot of milk. On injections, i eat a lot of vegetables. And perhaps changing the area of injection. I've done the back side and shoulder, but i want to try the thigh. Shoulder hurts for days after. Really, just try different ways.
@tr-rg3wi4 күн бұрын
Esteral validate injections always in my hip good results doesn't hurt put in slow no little lump in my butt😊
@Nijonibi4 күн бұрын
2 weeks 2 days on HRT!
@SamKole-h1j3 күн бұрын
Good for you; love to hear your journey. I could definitely feel a difference myself after about 2 weeks; of course other that nipple protrusion, absolutely nothing was visible, but even at a micrometer change in my chest "I" could feel SOMETHING happening ... over my first month, it was the calm and the smoother skin that really helped
@VladaDudak6 күн бұрын
Well I don’t know what to think, however after 3.5 years of HRT, facial hair removal by laser, applied mascara and light makeup, longer hair managed by hairdressers to feminine haircut, I’m pretty consistently gendered as man by society. So I assume I’m the candidate for FFS to do the wonders, but it’s not covered by insurance companies because they are saying it’s not medical need it’s just cosmetic change. Very interesting excuse from insurance companies.
@DanbyPovp5 күн бұрын
if thats you in your profile, u look perfectly passing to me, would immediately think your a woman
@MileyStan-g4u2 күн бұрын
Is it dangerous to smoke cigarettes when on HRT? I'm aware that smoking is dangerous already but does it gets too worse?
@Rosewood873 күн бұрын
Does alcohol effect the hormones?
@colmonhs6 күн бұрын
🙌🙌
@FlawedbyDesign7776 күн бұрын
Give up?
@2tall2handle16 күн бұрын
Don’t give up. I have been on HRT for eight years and finally found an electrolysis specialist that takes my insurance.