My therapist doesn't want me to get hormones yet

[Everyone]

I'm 17, and my therapist is concerned that because my hormones are probably more active now than they would be for an adult it may be better to wait until I'm older to get HRT. I plan to ask a doctor about this, but I also wanted opinions of people on here.
Do you think that I should wait or get them now?

Everybody was very helpful. My therapist just doesn't know much about the topic, and admitted to that herself. I know that she isn't transphobic or anything though. I just wanted to say that I've gotten all the answers I need from everyone. I'm sure that other people will find the answers helpful as well. Thank you, everyone.

[Rebekah with a K-A-H]

Um, I started at 17 and nobody told me that my hormones had too many feelings for me to start.

[Felix]

Forgive me if I'm wrong, but I don't see how that makes sense at all. It sounds to me like unexamined and unnecessary transphobia and reflexive gatekeeping. If you know you are a guy, then you are at exactly the right time. The only place for doubt is in the context of how sure you are, not what age you are or what your pubertal status is.

[Nygeel]

Ask your therapist if they are also an endocrinologist. If the answer is "no" which it should be, say you would like the opinion of one first before accepting "no hormones."

[Aussie Jay]

Ask your therapist if they are also an endocrinologist. If the answer is "no" which it should be, say you would like the opinion of one first before accepting "no hormones."

What he said. Head doctor doesn't equal medical doctor - his job is to assess your feelings and if you're ready for hormones, nothing more..

[lilacwoman]

these therapists have no idea of how waiting sets the body more firmly into birth sex and makes it more difficult to alter it to correct gender.
here in Uk there is some movement to help yougsters get the blockers but even then for many the damage will have been done.

if 16 years olds are though wise enough to settle into a gay or lesbian life then why are they thought unable to know what future they want if they feel to be TS?

answer must be that being gay or lesbian is natural but TSism is a mental problem that may clear up if its suppressed?

[Morgan.]

I got off lucky finding a therapist who specializes with LGBTQI youth and a doctor at a clinic who specialize in LGBTQI sexual health and managing the medical aspects of transitioning. I am only 17 and the only person who should tell you whether you are MEDICALLY ready for hormone therapy is an endocrinologist. A therapist can give their opinion based on their assessment and observation of your mental/emotional state but are in no position to tell you how active your hormones are.

[sneakersjay]

There are doctors in Boston who give hormone blockers and HRT to teenagers (under 18) with parental consent.  So yeah, your head doc is wrong.

Jay

[Brendon]

Your therapist is wrong. I started when I was 17 and there was no problem at all. In fact, my doctor would've let me start at 16, but the waiting list for an appointment was so long my birthday had already passed. 

I would see if you can find an endo who is willing to work with you. If you can, then you can tell your therapist that the doctor says it will be fine. Good luck.

[Adio]

That sounds a bit ridiculous to me.  Of course hormones are more "active" during teenage years than adulthood.  All the more reason, IMO, to start hormones and hormone-blockers during that time provided the person is ready.

Definitely try to find an endo/doc that would prescribe T to a minor and work from there.

[Emily Ray]

Your therapist is definetly is out of their skill level. Yes your hormones are active and that is causing you distress because it is the wrong ones. This therapist as very little real understanding of what transsexuality is. Continue with your plan to speak with a medical Doctor if you therapist still says no to your request for an aproval letter report them to the state lisencing board.

Huggs

Emily

[Paul]

I suggest a different therapist.  It's actually better to start younger when things are still developing rather than after everything has developed.

[Sharky]

I wouldn't quickly jump to the idea that he is saying this out of transphobia. There is a good chance he doesn't have much knowledge about trans medical care. Therpist aren't doctors. I don't know anything about the guy, but assuming he isn't transphobic and just unknowledgeable, I think it would be irresponsible for him to attach his ok and name to something he isn't sure about. If he is willing to work with you and learn then I would offer to find some resources for him. If you have a doctor that will prescribed you T, I would ask them if i could share their contact info or get a letter from them. It may just be easier to find a therapist with trans experience.

And I don't think 17 is too young to start T.

[anibioman]

i wouldnt wait. my doc said the younger the better when it comes to starting HRT. he also recommends blockers, to keep my levels more stable and to make the T work faster/better.

[lilacwoman]

medics and therapists have a duty to keep themselves updated in their field and surely anyone in the business of seeing TGs must be aware of the need and movement towards hormone blockers for youngsters?

[sneakersjay]

My original therapist told me to go back into the closet and stay there.  I'm tempted to make an appt with her (haven't seen her in nearly 4 years) and after the session, oh, by the way, remember me?  LOL

The only reason a therapist should delay HRT is if they feel you have other issues to work out, or you are not mentally ready, etc.  Just because they personally don't think you should do it and have a set timeline in their head is off base.


Jay

[Felix]

I wouldn't quickly jump to the idea that he is saying this out of transphobia. There is a good chance he doesn't have much knowledge about trans medical care. Therpist aren't doctors. I don't know anything about the guy, but assuming he isn't transphobic and just unknowledgeable, I think it would be irresponsible for him to attach his ok and name to something he isn't sure about. If he is willing to work with you and learn then I would offer to find some resources for him. If you have a doctor that will prescribed you T, I would ask them if i could share their contact info or get a letter from them. It may just be easier to find a therapist with trans experience.

And I don't think 17 is too young to start T.

I think most transphobia comes out of ignorance. The therapist's statement comes across (to me) as pretty clearly transphobic, and really that's not a character judgement. I know a therapist who reacted the same way, but I like him, and I think he's good at what he does. He just had some crass and inappropriate reactions to trans issues because he'd never encountered another trans person. Calling him phobic isn't some permanent tattoo, it's just the best word we have for the recoil behavior, whether it's from actual hate or simple lack of awareness.