When to transition from male to female?

[Lillian_b_tv]

So I have been pondering when I should make my move to wearing female clothes and makeup. I am very masculine at the moment. I hope to be starting HRT very soon. So I have a plan on my transition but Would like some input.

So my plan is to start HRT and after a few months of HRT and beard removal I will slowly start wearing light make up to work and switch the female uniform. My HR rep is  aware of the changes coming. The important people in my family already know that my transition is coming. Right now I don't feel comfortable going out at as a woman but i want to so badly.

I would love to hear some suggestions or person experience on this subject.

[Ms Grace]

It is a good idea to try and get as much of your beard removed as possible before transitioning to full time. Whether you use laser or electrolysis you will be required to grow out your beard for a few days which can be difficult to cover up.

Everyone has their own tipping point when it comes to transition, some are only on HRT for a short time while others wait a lot longer. Some of it boils down to confidence and how comfortable they feel presenting as female. There's a lot to learn and a whole new wardrobe to buy but you'll have a sense of when you are ready.

[Lillian_b_tv]

Thanks Grace! I should do my HRT and see how I feel. I think I'm just trying to plan on changing too fast. I think once I start HRT I'll slow down lol. I know there is a lot of work ahead and I have a unrealistic tie line on my transition. But im sure the more I am on here and and talk I'll learn more of what to expect.   

[Asche]

Yes, electrolysis as soon as possible is a good idea.  (Or laser if you can use it -- I can't.)  It's not uncommon for it to take years to get rid of the beard completely.

I've heard that HRT can eventually feminize one's appearance in subtle ways to the point that people start seeing you as female even when you aren't dressed female, and even though you don't seem all that obviously different.  I gather some T women hold off social transition until this happens.

Anyway, that's my plan at the moment.  I'll simply present as a gender-nonconforming man and see what develops.

[cindianna_jones]

I think you'll get the timing figured out. Yes, the beard is good to get rid of. It's also good to do some out of house/out of work trials to make sure you have the confidence you need. You don't want to be battling yourself as you transition at work.

Cindi

[Qrachel]

You gotten some good advice here . . . you'll suddenly know when it's time, not to worry!

Rachel

[suzifrommd]

I would love to hear some suggestions or person experience on this subject.

I had no idea how long electrolysis or hormonal feminization would take. I didn't want to wait. I'm a school teacher and I decided to wait until the end of the school year, whether I passed or not. I know many non-passing trans women and they were generally happy with their transitions, so I was willing not to pass. As it is, all it took was a new wig and I passed fine.

[Lillian_b_tv]

Doesn't a wig bother you after so long? I get so over heated in mine.  I hope at tax time to see about getting some if my beard removed.  I hope my hrt will also bring back some of  my hair :-P. I have two in person mtf friend that I have been friends with for years and one is a special needs teacher.  I hope you can transition at your school. Kids can be brutal.

[Girl Beyond Doubt]

Kids can be brutal.

They are only practicing.

You be the bitch that takes them by complete surprise.

[kittenpower]

I think that transitioning and not passing or looking attractive, would not be as hard if you were not attractive and people didn't pay much attention to you pre transition, because you are basically already used to it, whereas you could be in for quite a shock to be the person who suddenly is unattractive and ridiculed for the first time in your adult life and that phase can literally last for years until you are adequately feminized by HRT, unless you can have FFS (but if you have a very masculine body you still need to be feminized by HRT) if you need it, and most of us do, unless we started HRT in our early 20s or sooner.