Many women begin to feel relief as early as the second week, however, most women experience a temporary increase in hot flashes, skin changes. When you first start hormone therapy, you may feel a little “baffled” and you may not be yourself. You may feel a little sick or nauseous, or you may have breast tenderness, swelling, or headaches, especially for the first few days. You can see a full list of the side effects of the different hormones in hormone therapy here.
Your breasts may become tender, painful, and more sensitive. This may last for several weeks, but it usually goes away. Wearing a well-fitting and supportive bra can also help if you have this symptom. Lewerenz says that hormone replacement therapy (HRT) promotes physical and emotional changes that vary from person to person, affecting how long it takes to feel different after starting hormone replacement therapy.
In the first few weeks, you may notice subtle changes in mood and energy as your body adjusts to new hormone levels. The benefits of hormonal hormone therapy usually take a few weeks to become apparent, but it can take up to 3 months before they are fully noticed. The first changes you'll probably notice are that your skin will become a little drier and thinner. Your pores will become smaller and there will be less oil production.
You may be more prone to bruises or cuts, and in the first few weeks, you'll notice that the smells of sweat and urine will change. You're also likely to sweat less. When you touch things, they may “feel different” and you may perceive pain and temperature differently. Starting hormone therapy at any age can have risks and side effects, such as an increased chance of suffering from certain diseases, such as blood clots or breast cancer.
Keeping a diary can be useful, especially if you follow a sequential “bleeding” regimen, as it will help you to check if you only have adverse effects on the days you take the progestogen (the day of Utrogestan, the Evorel Conti patches in the Evorel Sequi box, or the oral HRT tablets containing progestogen, which will have a different color depending on your HRT). In continuous hormone replacement therapy, bleeding may occur if the dose contains high estrogen and low progestogen. However, if you've been taking sequential hormone replacement therapy for a while or are over 54 and still want to take it, you can switch to continuous combined hormone replacement therapy or no menstruation. Some people may develop cognitive problems when taking hormone replacement therapy, such as memory loss, confusion or difficulty concentrating.
It's not uncommon for you to have unscheduled vaginal bleeding when you first start hormone replacement therapy, although you may not have bleeding for years. It's also helpful to keep track of the type, frequency, and severity of symptoms before and during hormone replacement therapy. After starting hormone therapy, some menopausal symptoms may improve within a few weeks or months, while others may take longer. Another side effect of hormone therapy is fluid retention in the body, causing mild swelling, especially in the hands, feet or the ankles.
With so many different brands, types, and doses, starting HRT can be a little daunting, and you'll no doubt have a lot of questions, such as how and when to take it, and any initial side effects that may occur. However, when combined with a healthy lifestyle, hormone therapy can indirectly contribute to changes in body composition, including the potential reduction of abdominal fat, by restoring hormonal balance. There is evidence that the use of gender-affirming hormone therapy can reduce or eliminate gender dysphoria, the distress a person feels when their gender identity doesn't match their gender expression. Consistency and communication with the healthcare provider are critical to maximizing the benefits of hormone therapy and overall well-being.
Some transgender women who start taking medications may also benefit from therapy or support groups as they deal with these new feelings.
