When?

[MiaSakura]

When to start RLE? Ive been on hormones for a month now, and was wondering how and whem did you start your RLE adventures?

[ZoeM]

I started when I knew I could pass 100% - month 8.

It really depends, though, on when you feel ready. Whether that's early (more challenging if people see you as obviously transitioning) or late (long past when you're mentally ready to step out) depends on you.

[Ltl89]

It depends on how you feel.  There is no right or wrong time.  Personally,  I only plan on doing it once I feel I can pass without issue (getting close each day).  My therapist said that most women she knows start around 6-7 months which is the time frame I have set for myself before RLE.  However, there are no rules.  Just do it when you feel comfortable.

If you want some advice, I would work on facial hair and voice as early as possible if you want to start RLE.  Those are my two biggies that I wish I had taken care of earlier.  It would have saved me some ache and my fears about passing would be greatly diminished.  It's amazing how much of a difference these two things can make. 

[suzifrommd]

I had promised my wife I'd wait until our son graduated high school. The day school let out was the last day I ever dressed like a man.

[ErinM]

A number of things just sort of fell into place:

- I was getting gendered more than female 50% on the phone

- facial hair was to the point where I  had only a couple dozen remaining dark hairs between laser sessions

- I was getting tired reverting to "guy" mode every day at work and paranoid that I'd get seen outside of work (happened at least once)

- I wanted to move forward and it just felt like the right time

I picked a date a coupe months ahead so that I could give HR a chance to look into things on their end and plan. My decision was validated when I started to pass more and more frequently in "guy" mode during the remaining weeks before going full time (I work in retail).

[izzy]

Do it until you feel ready as a women. I have not yet started RLE, but you could do it gradually the process, or suddenly depending on you see yourself or how others see you

[MaryXYX]

The official medical line here is that you get hormones after a year of RLE.  In practice many of us prefer the other order.  As I was working when I went full time the question of passing wasn't so relevant - I just couldn't stand pretending to be a "real man" any longer.

[MiaSakura]

Thank you all.  Sorry for getting back on late.  Great advice. I hae no hope for my voice but I do facial hair. Im a huge geek, what geek doesnt want lasers shot at thsm? Lol.  That was bad i know. I hope after the holidays to look ito laser. I just need some tests back from my doc. Im having some liver problems....

Wish me luck.

[MaryXYX]

I hae no hope for my voice ...

Hey!  Don't you dare give up on your voice.  It took me about two years to go from being called "Sir" on the phone to "Ma'am" but it is so worth the work.  I raised the pitch into the contralto/tenor overlap area and took out the chest resonance myself.  Then I was referred to a speech therapist and she worked with me on intonation and phrasing.  Being a singer helped because I was more used to thinking about my voice.  I still sing in my church choir - it's the sort of church where a woman singing bass is just part of life.

[Catherine Sarah]

Hi Mia,

Sooooooo good to hear your journey is finally starting to work out for you. You've been waiting a long time for this.

Im having some liver problems....

Wish me luck.

Depending on the outcome of discussions with your Dr; if he feels the liver problem is caused by your hormone programme, you may like to suggest to him using implants as an alternative to bypass the liver.

Oestrogen and Progesterone implants are placed just under the fat layer of the skin in your bottom. Theses bypass the liver and kidney which may take the stress off those organs, depending on the current method of delivery you use.

The following link will give you a lot of information about implants

http://www.collegepharmacy.com/images/download/BHRTPelletFAQ.pdf

Let us know how it all goes for you.

Love
Catherine

[Zoe Louise Taylor]

Ive started living as a woman outside of work, and i havn't started on Hormones yet!

It just got to the stage where i wanted so badly to live as Zoe, and so i just moved into a new flat with an accepting housemate, and am living a the real me!

Its been great, but has definitely made my desire to get hormones a lot stronger!!! I just feel that once im on hormones that my confidence will be boosted massively, and i'm kind of glad ive started living as me before going on Hormones, as now im 100% sure that this is the correct path for me!!!

Xx

[JoanneB]

Ive started living as a woman outside of work, and i havn't started on Hormones yet!

It just got to the stage where i wanted so badly to live as Zoe, and so i just moved into a new flat with an accepting housemate, and am living a the real me!

Its been great, but has definitely made my desire to get hormones a lot stronger!!! I just feel that once im on hormones that my confidence will be boosted massively, and i'm kind of glad ive started living as me before going on Hormones, as now im 100% sure that this is the correct path for me!!!

Xx

How long you have been, or not, on HRT really has nothing to do with RLE.  As others pointed out in some countries you need to do RLE for period even before HRT can start. Plenty of folks start RLE "just because". It is driven by a desire to a need to do it.

[Misato]

I wasn't even close to being approved for HRT when I had my RLE.

As others said, when you feel ready is when you're ready. Ditto for FT.

[Ltl89]

Seriously, don't down play the importance of training your voice.  When it comes to passing, voice can either make or break you.  Anyone's voice can be trained to some degree, so make sure you practice hard even if you feel it's hopeless.  I made this mistake and am paying for it.