Masculinisation Timeline

Hormone therapy takes time, but when can you expect to see changes? Although everyone’s journey is different, there are general timeframes you can expect to see changes in yourself.

You can use this guide to see what you can expect from hormone therapy. Bear in mind that your experience might not perfectly line up with these estimates.

Timeframe	External changes	Internal changes
1 to 4 Weeks	Skin might feel a little oilier. Some people feel a slight increase in energy and stamina.	Testosterone levels increase.
5 to 8 Weeks	Muscle tone starts increasing slightly (especially if you exercise regularly). Skin texture feels coarser as body hair adjusts. Fat redistribution starts.	Feeling more assertive. Greater emotional stability. Metabolism starts to change.
9 to 12 Weeks	Voice deepening starts with subtle changes. Muscle definition starts becoming more pronounced. Body fat starts moving away from the hips and thighs towards the abdomen. Body and facial hair may start growing.	Increased confidence and emotional resilience.
4 to 6 Months	Voice deepening gets more noticeable, some voice cracking or huskiness. Muscle mass and strength increase. Facial hair may begin to grow as fine hairs.	Feelings of self-assurance grow. May start to feel more assertive.
6 to 9 Months	Voice settles into a deeper pitch. Body and facial hair become thicker and more visible. Facial structure and jawline become more defined. Fat redistribution continues towards to become more characteristically masculine.	Libido may increase. Emotional stability continues to strengthen. At this stage, many people feel a solid sense of connection with their gender identity.
9 to 12 Months	Increased body and facial hair growth. Muscles become even more defined, alongside a leaner physique. Physical strength is usually higher now.	Many people say they feel more comfortable and confident in their gender expression at this point. Feeling that you have more energy is common.
12 to 18 Months	Facial hair now fully established, with thicker coverage on the face and neck. Body hair is thicker and more visible. Muscle mass and strength are now well established.	Bone density and muscle mass increase, improving overall resilience.
18+ Months	Full facial hair and body hair development. Muscle definition is maximised. Characteristic masculine fat distribution established.	Long-term health benefits, including better muscle and bone health and higher energy levels. Many people report a sense of fulfilment and authenticity.

Important things to remember

Patience is key. These changes are gradual, and they aren’t guaranteed to happen exactly according to the timing in this table. Everyone’s transformation is unique to them.
Have regular check-ins. Speak to us, book sessions, keep up to date with your blood tests. If you’re not sure about something, let us know and we’ll do what we can to help you.
Celebrate. When you notice a change – even small – it’s a step towards your goal. Every milestone is worth noticing and appreciating
Build a support network. In a period of change like this, having people you can speak to who understand you and you can trust is a huge help. Friends, family, community members, support groups: any of these can be incredibly helpful to you.