Hi! I've been on E for 9 weeks now, and on my third dose of AA for a week. The first effect I noticed was my smell (transpiration) after a week. But then I had to wait until this weekend for the second effecr which is some light boobs budding. Hormones are slow! Be patient and know that things are going to get better!

Edit: Oh right, I am able to produce tears through emotions again! (I couldn't say since when)

3 weeks ain't that much time especially with no blockers. hell with blockers and a hoodie you could boymode for quite some time and get changes. 🤔

So about a month in you may start noticing emotional changes. If you hit 3 months without anything like breast tenderness or random crying ask your endo (if you have one).

Monotherapy should be fine but may be slower. If nothing happens within 6 months get a level test for certain

My partner has been on hrt for over 3 years now, she says you're looking at 2 to 3 months minimum before physically feeling any changes. Its a long slow process, her body still continues to change. Take your time, trust the process. You've already done the hardest part :)

DIY enanthate vials usually have 40 mg / mL, so 0.15 mL should be 6 mg?

Using the injectable estradiol simulator, this is what levels would be estimated to be over time:

Notice how it takes nearly a month to even get to a steady state ... EEn has a half-life of 5 - 7 days, so it takes a week to peak and another week to eliminate. This is compared to estradiol valerate (EV) which has a half-life of 3.5 days, so EV peaks faster and higher, and eliminates much faster than EEn.

When I first started EV injections, I could feel changes the night I injected, but I didn't feel any obvious benefit or mood change until the third day or so.

But it's important to note that not all trans women react to estrogen the same. Some feel no difference at all. Others actually have worsened dysphoria.

So early on you are not likely to notice many physiological changes. In my first month or so of HRT, the earliest changes I noticed were softening skin, changes to body odor (less spicy / less smelly), and fewer involuntary erections overnight and in the morning when I wake up. I wonder if you will start noticing these soon, too.

EDIT: I had sore breasts pretty quickly, too - I think it was a matter of weeks, but I was taking EV which brought my E levels up quickly. I would expect breast soreness in 1 - 3 months with EEn, but I'm not certain - I bet others have written about their experiences starting with EEn.

There wasn't any major change to how I felt either. My emotional range did expand but my day to day didn't feel any different. Been on E for 2+ years now.

If your testosterone levels are suppressed, it's working.

I'm also a few weeks in and not seeing any changes. I am also on a t blocker, though I don't know if it's working yet as my first blood test isn't for another month. It takes time. I feel a little different mentally, but I am physically still a giant hairy man.

My advice is to try and find one person you can absolutely trust and confide in them, if you can. It's better to do this with help than alone. Maybe find a local-ish group that meets up in person and attend if you aren't comfortable with people who know you. I find it odd to think about, but I am more comfortable discussing things with people I have never met but who share in my daily struggles than to talk with someone I know who doesn't.

It’ll take time; everyone goes at their own pace. They’re hormones, after all, not an instant pot of coffee. 0.15mL isn’t a large dose either, depending on the concentration. I’m 17 months in, and it just keeps getting better as I go along.

Oh, hello! And welcome :)

Do you know the concentration? That is, how many mg of estradiol you are using?

I wouldn't expect to see much effect from E per se at three weeks, especially if it's a low dose, but one of the first things to look for would be nipple sensitivity. If your T is suppressed, you'll get a noticeable drop in libido and body odor pretty quickly.