Body Shape Changes
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Over time (roughly 1 year onwards), there will typically be redistribution from the midsection in order to lessen the amount of fat carried on the stomach, and instead moves to the following areas:
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Hips
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Thighs
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Butt
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Breasts
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This leads to the appearance more of an hourglass– and overall more stereotypically feminine– figure
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These changes can be very slow and you may have to be patient in waiting for them to become significant enough to observe.
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Fat Redistribution
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This may be most noticeable in the arms and legs.
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It can also sometimes lead to those with broad shoulders seeing them become more curved, slowly reducing the appearance of broadness.
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This typically occurs beyond 12-18 months of HRT.
Reduction in Muscle Mass
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Another significant body shape change can be growth of the chest (breast development), which we have dedicated a separate page to: learn more about chest growth here
Chest Growth
Other Body Changes
Lesser seen changes may include:
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Changes to your nose, such as it becoming thinner
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Your hands and feet becoming marginally slimmer and smaller
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Including a reduction in shoe size
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Very marginal reductions in height, typically maximum of around 1 inch, but typically less
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This is likely due to changes in fat and muscle contractions
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[All the changes we describe here are based on anecdotal reports amongst the community because we believe community knowledge is valuable and worth sharing! But we did want to note that here as there isn't significant evidence - including amongst community reports - that these changes are even moderately common, so it felt important to note this in order to include this disclaimer in order to share information responsibly, especially when it comes to shaping people's expectations/hopes.]
Will the changes to my body shape revert if I stop taking E?
Yes, your fat will slowly redistribute and your increased muscle mass will return, both contributing to your body shape returning to something similar to prior to HRT (ageing and weight changes will also affect how similar your body looks). This will likely be quite a slow process, just as the original change was.