Transfem

Transfem here, on estrogen monotherapy since early 2021. Super low T level; average or above estradiol. I do take a DHT blocker (finasteride). Added progesterone 2 months ago.

This is all very much YMMV.

What I can almost guarantee unless you have a very unusual endocrine system, are softer skin and breast growth. You'll notice sore nips in a month or so, then thinner/softer skin after 6mo to a year (it's constant but takes a while to appreciate).

HRT has not prevented me gaining or maintaining muscle. I was skinny and not super strong before, but the physical nature of my warehouse job has actually built muscle. My glutes and thighs are like steel. Added bonus, upper body strength has increased and rounded out my breast size <3 highly recommend staying fit while transitioning.

I don't weightlift, I just lift a lot of things, move constantly... and work my ass off. Ultimately I think it will come down to "use it or lose it". Same with the noodle. It will absolutely atrophy if you don't actively use it.

Fat redistribution... not really seen this. Altho I'm skinny so that may play a role. It's very very subtle if anything has changed shrugs probably most overrated and underwhelming aspect of HRT for me personally.

Testicles have shrunk noticeably. Makes sense as they are literally useless now xD mine aren't super tiny, they still get in the way and hurt. It's easier to tuck when they shrink, a lot of times they find their way up there naturally. Getting them snipped ASAP.

any other questions, ask away <3

3yrs in. I'd say I've lost maybe 10-15% of my strength. I gained about 8 pounds, and I've def gotten curvier, grown boobs, hips, and a butt. My thighs are thicker. It only follows that I lost muscle and gained fat.

My body temperature regulation became less stable too. I get hot and cold easier.

I also stopped drinking, after drinking for 20 years, when I started transitioning. I also cut most dairy out in the past year. So, other factors and such...

You can retain some of the muscle mass you already have if you keep using your muscles but some of it will be lost. New muscle growth will be harder since testosterone helps grow muscle and with the testosterone level of a woman it will be harder to grow muscle and you won't be able to grow as much muscle as a man.

This website lists all the possible changes that come with HRT: https://genderdysphoria.fyi/en/second-puberty-fem

Muscles, like everything else in your body, are always dying and being replaced. Growth will slow and overtime they will atrophy even with exercise as replacement growth is slower.

Individual genetics vary a lot but in general once everything has normalised in 5 years or so if you're the soft of person that strength trains regularly you can be expected to be about as strong as a man who never does any manual work.

It is what it is.

Reduced testicular volume means that the actual testes are going to shrink. I've been on hrt for about four months and mine have about halved in size.

Also your muscles are going to reduce. After being on hrt for a few weeks, I went to help my dad move a heavy armoire and I could barely make it budge. After that I decided to start working out, but I don't have access to weights or a gym, so I've been doing pushups and I've definitely gotten stronger from them but I don't think I'm as strong as I used to be yet.