Hi!

Several years ago, I was diagnosed with hypogonadism. I tried for years to live without any sort of hormone treatment, but I've been have a lot of problems with depression, moodiness, irritability, hot flashes, night sweats, and just really low energy. I didn't get a 'eunuch calm'. I often felt irritable.

I've also gained a lot of weight in the past several years..which may or may not be related to this.

So, in order to combat these issues, I started taking Premarin last week. I feel fantastic. No more depression, no more moodiness. I feel...really good.

I'm not looking to transition into female. I'm intersexed, but raised as male. I have lots of facial/body hair and I'm bald..so I don't think I'd be able to pass as female even if I wanted to.

I'm wondering what sort of experiences you guys have had in taking estrogen therapy. What sort of issues do I have to look forward to? Thanks!

Well, within a few days of starting, I could no longer get erections or cum, and about a week after that, my nipples got sore and my breasts started enlarging a couple of months after that.

David, what dose are you taking?

I knew there were others out there who take E yet have no desire to transition to female

My own experiences with E yielded the following:

Slight beginning stage breast development (and this was on a reasonably high dose - this is extremely variable by person - you could have major development on a low dose, especially with being IS).

Weight gain. I gained 30 pounds in one year. My body fat went from what I would guess was low to mid teens to 24%.

Significant feminization of the skin. My skin became very soft and smooth.

Some fat redistribution. The longer you are on E, the greater the redistribution.

Decrease in facial and body hair, including pubic and axillary.

Shrinkage of the penis. Nearly total impotency. Total impotency without direct stimulation.

Near total elimination of libido, but increased desire to hug, cuddle, and be held.

Increased sensitivity to temperature changes.

Decreased muscle mass.

Those are some of the physical changes. As for psychological changes:

Increased ability to cry.

Increased ability to notice and understand facial gestures and expressions.

Increased sympathy/empathy for others over the already high levels I tend to have.

Others report other psychological changes. Those were the main ones that I noticed. For me the physical outweighed the psychological. Also keep in mind that I was taking quite high doses for some time. If you are only taking a low dose, you may not notice as many changes or to the same extent. But if you are taking a high dose, you can expect full feminization over time. With your baldness and facial hair, you should have no problems living as male even with a high dose.

Hope I helped Let me know if you have any other questions.

Thank you so much for your helpful reply!

I'm not sure what sort of breast development issues I'll have. As part of my IS issues, I developed significant breasts at puberty and had them removed at age 14.

However, I've since gained a large amount of weight... (I'm 5'5", 280..and losing weight)...and some of it did go to my chest, giving me the appearance of noticeable manboobs.

In the week since I've started the Premarin, I can already tell a difference in the density of the tissue in my chest, but I'm curious as to whether or not I'll enlarge in size..particularly since I had the surgery already.

I realize I'll never have a flat chest, and I'm ok with that. But I'm wondering whether or not if I get bigger how it will affect trying to live as male. I already "bind" my chest often.

Thanks again for your helpful post!

Plix wrote :

...

plix (imported) wrote: Tue Jul 03, 2007 9:12 am you could have major development on a low dose, especially with being IS).

Interesting comment. I had significant development on standard .625 mg premarin for 2-3 months. Does anyone know some cites/resources that discuss the relationship between dosage and IS?

Thanks

I think it would vary widely depending upon the person's individual intersexed condition.

Me personally, having already developed breasts at puberty, I'm not sure I'm going to experience further development.

If all your glandular tissue was removed, then you should not experience any development of true breast tissue. However, you could have fat distribution to the breast area.

If not all of your glandular tissue was removed, then what is left could enlarge.

Just wanted to post a follow-up to my original.

It's been one month since I started taking Premarin.

My mood change has been remarkable. I used to be constantly depressed, irritable, moody, and even suicidal. Now I feel pretty good most of the time. I'm never really 'sad'. No more hot flashes!

I've noticed a significant difference in my breasts. My nipples have enlarged. My breasts have gotten both bigger in size and more dense. Now, again, I'm starting from a different starting point than most people..so, your mileage may (and probably will) vary. I generally bind my chest, and it's gotten significantly more uncomfortable to bind.

I also feel a difference in the texture of my skin. I still have to shave, of course, but when I'm clean-shaven it feels so much smoother. My face looks a little different as well, but then, I've lost 30 lbs in the past 2 months. So, that might just be a weight loss thing. *NOTE: The weight loss is due to dieting, not the Premarin.

My odor is completely different and that took a bit of getting used to.

My libido was already low before, it's now zilch. I love it. I don't notice women nearly as much as I used to. I objectify much less..and that's fantastic.

All in all, I'm feeling fantastic about my decision. I'm still trying to find the best dosage for me. I play around with it to see how I feel. I've yet to feel 'bad' yet because of it.

I take 50mg of cyproterone acetate and 2mg of estrofem. Effect on body was slow but sure. Nice boobs and buns, lost most body hair except beard and pubic. Feels best when I don't have to interrupt the regimen.