Hormones scare me

[dinahastings]

I'm 26, pre-op FTM, haven't done anything permanent yet and am probably not going to. The reason is because I'm scared of hormones: quite honestly, I'm too weak and passive already, and going on testosterone blockers is going to make things worse. So I'm just going to have to suck it up and keep going.

[Kelly J. P.]

 FtM? I would imagine you meant MtF, right? Mostly because I don't know many FtM that consider testosterone blockers.

Transition is about changing yourself. This is not merely a bodily change for everyone... I changed my personality as well. I went from being quiet, angry, and passive-aggressive, to more expressive, sassy, and outgoing (and still a little passive-aggressive, as people enjoy pointing out). Going on testosterone blockers and estrogen often makes one more vibrant, and to be honest... I don't feel one bit more passive. If anything, I put up with less than I used to - and I'm still just as competitive, in attitude.

Of course, I can only speak for myself. However, if hormones are right for you, then they tend to make you more confident. Confidence tends to counter passiveness and weakness.

[EmilyElizabeth]

Kelly is completely right

Also, weakness and especially passivity are not inherent biological characteristics that come from hormones.  They are learned expectations based on outdated gender roles.  Estrogen will not automatically make you submissive to everything, as that is not inherent to the hormone, but simply to the role that females are generally socialized into.  If anything it will, as Kelly said, make you less passive because you'll feel more like yourself and feel you can express your actual feelings and interests. 

[Jenny_B_Good]

I'm 26, pre-op FTM,...... So I'm just going to have to suck it up and keep going.

Some how I don't believe this. Firstly you identify as trans- That's obvious, but you've also taken the time to post your hesitation?!! Hoping someone may talk you through it?
Well I know one marketing company that may help- They produced the most successful advertising campaign of all time.






        NIKE ----  Just do it !!

[Cindy]

I think you may have got your gender markers mixed.
Going onto hormonal therapy is not the beginning and end-all of GID treatment. That is why we need help from therapists to talk through our problems.

Males and females have very similar aggression levels they display them in different ways, they vary from both learned behaviour and from body differences. In general females will be less physically aggressive than males. But females are generally more mentally aggressive.

I'm not sure where your concerns come from, but I do suggest consulting a therapist.

I do not know any weak and passive woman in my environment. Your thoughts are a bit stereotypical and maybe you should discuss them more in the thread.

Cindy James

[melissa.wilkins]

Hi Dina, I have been on hormones for a couple of months now - I am MTF. I think transitioning is about what you want, not what others tell you what you need to do.

For me I have noticed some personality changes I have become quite serene (if that is the right word), I keep my house a lot cleaner and tidier and some other changes have happened that have been all for the better.

You have the rest of your life to make the decisions about your transition if that is what you want. I have spoken to plenty of girls who are happy being a TV/CD and have no desire to go through SRS, breast development or hormone treatment.

[Alyx.]

Same here.

I got waaay more assertive after hormones.