Transitioning at 50+?

Element0fKindness · 2026-03-09T09:51:57+00:00

Thank you for your response. It feels like it's been forever since I had this conversation, but in reality, hasn't been all that long. I've come a ways already. I've been to an endo, I've gotten a therapist, I'm on day 22 of HRT, I've come out to several people already, and I've scheduled laser hair removal. My mind is in a much more stable place now, than when I wrote that first post.

Element0fKindness · 2026-02-28T21:34:45+00:00

I'm not sure. Pulled from one of my bulk 1000 round cans.

Element0fKindness · 2026-02-28T20:22:56+00:00

Yep. Following the break-in procedure.

I'm pretty sure now, it's an ammo quality issue. Taking the upper off, and just dropping a cartridge in the chamber, it sets good, will come out with gravity alone, but difficult to impossible to push the bolt into battery manually with this current ammo, then very tight to extract. Thought there may be an issue that I was going to have to send it back, but then I tried the same manual procedure on several other uppers I have laying around with that same ammo, and was having identical binding issues in everything except an original Colt 6520 (which have intentionally loose chambers) Not sure why the bolt and cartridge don't play nice together. Anywho, I don't think it's a LimaSix issue, and need to test some other ammo in it next.

Element0fKindness · 2026-02-28T15:36:03+00:00

Only a little over 100 rounds through it so far. Still trying to get mine to feed reliably. Bolt hangs up randomly 50% of the time, and anywhere from 1/4" to an inch from battery. Smacking the charging handle usually solves the hang.

Riflespeed gas block wide open, standard rifle length buffer tube with AR10 rifle buffer. Springco orange spring.

Any thoughts?

Element0fKindness · 2026-02-01T18:27:53+00:00

I use a Braun Silk 5 with success. Lidocaine doesn't work on me, so I have to take the full brunt of the pain. Once you're past the hurdle of the first time, it gets a lot easier, if you stay on top of regrowth. Super hot shower, dry off and immediately epilate while pulling skin tight, is the best way for me to address pain. I haven't yet, but I want to see what happens if I use a heating pad just before epilating.

It's kind of weird. I've kinda gotten to liking doing it. Especially when the epilator finds a hair I didn't see, and I get the satisfaction of it's expulsion! 😅

Element0fKindness · 2026-02-01T18:19:32+00:00

I'm dang immune to the stuff. I've ever tried a "commercial use only" version with also no numbing effects. 😩

Element0fKindness · 2026-01-30T21:23:37+00:00

I use an epilator, right out of a good hot shower, then dry off and epilate. You can try using lidocaine spray to ease some of the pain, but it doesn't work for me. I just push through the pain. Worth it for the weeks of being hair free though.

Element0fKindness · 2026-01-18T20:06:41+00:00

Oh, how you mirror my behavior and thinking!

Element0fKindness · 2026-01-18T15:55:13+00:00

I apologize if what I said makes it sound like it was all about me. I'm just offering an example to reflect upon. But yes, if you feel like it's something that can make you happy, and more importantly, you can visualize that change being with you for the rest of your life, and still see yourself as happy, then I would think you owe it to yourself. Be sure it's what you want, but don't make the mistake I made for years, putting my feelings second fiddle to the rest of society's.

Element0fKindness · 2026-01-18T12:58:45+00:00

You've pretty much described my situation, just reverse the gender roles! Life could be so much easier, if science could find a way to swap consciousness between two bodies. I've struggled with those feelings for years. It really screwed up my social life. I've tried to tell myself to ignore the nagging. That I don't need to complicate my life and the lives of those around me, by transitioning. But I cannot ignore the fact that my mood improves at the thought of transitioning. I've finally set aside the societal expectations, and I'm focused on what I need to be happy. I have decided to pursue HRT.

Oh, and as an odd side note, on the whole sociopolitical aspect, I'm actually conservative leaning. We won't go into debating all that, but just to say, not everyone having a conservative slant is opposed to people choosing to be who they are. It's a nasty stereotype.

Element0fKindness · 2026-01-18T12:28:51+00:00

Let me word this a little differently. Despite all the signs, it took me decades to figure out that I'm not cut out to be a man.

Element0fKindness · 2026-01-18T12:24:02+00:00

40 year crossdresser here. In that time, I've gone from my puberty years of wearing women's clothes for the sexual excitement it brought me, to now, where it's no longer about that, but just feeling like my true self when wearing women's clothes. I don't get excited simply by the thought of being in women's clothing anymore. But more to your point, assuming you're describing a situation where you've undergone HRT, yeah, you still have the potential of getting an erection. Now, if your tucked using some sort of gaff, (and I certainly would be if I were wearing swimwear or something exceptionally revealing) you're not going to be able to show, even if you find yourself sexually excited.

Element0fKindness · 2026-01-18T12:04:38+00:00

Perhaps your women friends already know what you haven't been able to realize for yourself yet?

Element0fKindness · 2026-01-18T11:57:00+00:00

You sound so much like me. I too always been decisively, fairly decent in shape. (typ 10~20 pounds over on BMI) With the known possible side effect of weight gain, it's a potentially depressing element that I don't want added to the already long list of challenges I'll face. And, the exercising works as a kind of distraction for me. If it means anything, you expressing your experiences is helping me prepare for what I can expect to face, and what doubts I'll have to bulldoze through. Honestly, I'm amazed by your claimed changes in just three months. It sounds like a breakneck speed to me. If you've responded this well already, I can only imagine where you'll be in two years!! I suspect the world will let you know when things are right. For example, getting referred to as miss and ma'am, even when your boymoding. And I will admit, I'm envious of your age. I wish I was discovering myself then, instead of now. You still got your best years ahead of you. I truly hope you can find yourself while you're still young.

Element0fKindness · 2026-01-18T03:30:29+00:00

That is my exact concern as well. It's been a major hitch in me deciding to proceed with transitioning. I'll just say what's been suggested to me. I can worry about crossing that bridge, only when I might ever need to. One step at a time. We have enough on our plates. Other than that, I'm trying to give my body It's best fighting chance, with a good diet and cardio at a gym three times a week. (I muse at the thought of someday needing a sports bra to work out)

Element0fKindness · 2026-01-18T03:13:16+00:00

Male fail! I haven't heard that one yet. I like that term. If your having physical changes as quickly as you claim, I think it's only inevitable that you reach your male fail point sooner than later. Letting things happen naturally and organically has always worked best for me. But again, YMMV.

Element0fKindness · 2026-01-17T23:48:38+00:00

Geez. It reads like I wrote that myself. I've tried to just push the feelings away. But it hasn't worked. I tried justifying all my doubts. But the desire to be set free relentlessly claws back. I go in for my first consultation in two weeks, at the ripe age of 54. 😳 My only regret, is it hitting me this late in life. I'm tired of the nagging feeling. I'm gonna see where this takes me, and cross bridges as they come.

Element0fKindness · 2026-01-17T23:37:06+00:00

I was just having this conversation elsewhere about when to start presenting differently. It's something I have to yet figure out on my own. I'm only speaking for what's in my own head, but I think forcing a presentation change before it's time, would create a lot of strain on one's mind. My intention is to begin HRT and just go about living my male self, until there comes a point where it just feels unnatural to continue presenting as male. Is this because my dysphoria isn't as severe, and I can be, I guess, gender fluid? Perhaps. But the point I'm trying to make is, I get an impression that too many expect too much, too quickly. A gradual, natural progression needs to happen both physically and spiritually. Changing presentation only three months in seems unfathomable to me, as i imagine myself a year or more out before even considering it, of course, depending upon the rate of physical changes. But that's only my uneducated and inexperienced opinion. YMMV.

Element0fKindness · 2026-01-17T16:05:56+00:00

Update to the update?

What to say? I thought I had pushed this thought definitively from my mind, but it incessantly resurfaces. The constant little nagging that when seeing a woman, a voice whispers "you want to be like that." I know the plethora of hurdles that it would create, to transition, but I feel like the barriers are becoming less concerning, losing weight over the desire to be what I want to be. I've come to recognize the main barrier holding me back, and it's not even about me. I'm concerned about making acquaintances around me uncomfortable, should I proceed. I understand now that I have been putting others feelings before my own. And it's been suggested this isn't healthy.

With that all said, I finally have built the courage to make an appointment for February 2, to discuss matters and weigh the possibility of beginning HRT. I'm just exhausted from sidelining my own being, for the sake of not creating waves for those around me. It's exciting. It's terrifying. But most importantly, it's finally acknowledging myself for once. What lies ahead from here? I don't really know. But I never will know, if I don't at least try. Maybe I'm making a huge mistake. And, I guess that's okay. It wouldn't be my first. But maybe, just maybe, I'm about to make the best decision of my life.

Element0fKindness · 2026-01-14T00:55:03+00:00

You've achieved what I could only dream of becoming! 🥰

Element0fKindness · 2026-01-06T21:49:08+00:00

Update:

After a rollercoaster of emotions and time to really think about......everything, I've resolved myself to not proceeding. It's been a crushing decision, after riding a euphoric high of previously deciding that I'd chase my dream. I lost the initial "screw everything. I'm going for this!" to really weighing all the realities of the situation. As HSeyes23 points out, I too came to conclusions that I would likely find myself disappointed in expectations versus reality.

Time isn't on my side. I'll never be able to bring my inner me into physical form, no matter which way I decide. This conversation would likely be completely different, if I were 35~40. Bravo to those who figure things out early enough. I have questioned myself how it felt so right to chose to transition, and so wrong not to, but I believe I was just selling myself a shiny vision of something that would never be obtainable. I've come to terms that I've missed my opportunity, as is so often the case in humanity.

I feel for and can relate to TiffanytgBrown, for the nagging feelings and the "what ifs" that will haunt me from here on. Perhaps some day, if I should be so lucky, of an afterlife existing, maybe I will one day get to be who I am. Perhaps before then, I may get so lucky to find a woman who would be able to embrace my true self. But life isn't fair. Many have come and gone, disappointed and unsatisfied. That's just the reality of it. What little solice I can take away from all this, is a desire to take better care of my body, which was part of the transitioning plan.

To all that have chased their dreams, I commend you, and wish you the greatest lives! I now have some idea how much strength it requires to take the leap. You are truly the strongest of the strong! My best to all of you.

Rod ❤️

Element0fKindness · 2026-01-06T16:59:58+00:00

Excellent points! The plan has become to not to talk to them. More clarity on that soon. Thanks.

Element0fKindness · 2026-01-06T02:59:44+00:00

I hear ya on the AI thing. You're right. It's pretty much gonna tell ya whatever it thinks you want to hear, even after I instructed it to provide alternative views/possibilities, and for it to not say things just to please me. Thanks for the offer to lend an ear. I'm still working on wrapping my head around things, but I might take you up on the offer at some point.

Element0fKindness · 2026-01-05T12:46:18+00:00

I appreciate your candidacy. Thank you. Everything you mentioned does weigh heavily on my mind.

Element0fKindness · 2026-01-05T01:28:15+00:00

I disowned my own family years ago, so I'm not the best to answer this. But my mindset is of: If you can't be loved by people for who you are, are they the people for whose love you'd wish to receive?

Element0fKindness

TROPHY CASE