Need advice and other thoughts

[Faith Rena]

Hello, my name is Faith, I'm 15, and I would like some advice. I have come to believe, that I truly am female. My personality, as well as my physical movement, is naturally feminine. So are some of my looks, I take after my mother more than my dad. I like different colors, depending on my mood, and I am really friendly. That's why I'm here after all, to talk with and befriend other people who are in or have been in the same situation as me. Now, to the advice part.
Since I'm 15, I know that I'm going to start transitioning with hormones, and someday, have SRS MtF. I just need advice on when to start, because I don't want to ruin anything, and I'm very nervous. I know it takes a lot of therapists, and doctors, etc. I did a lot of research at different sites and I read about Susan's place, and the tapatalk app, so I made some accounts and now I'm here, hoping and knowing that I'll gain some friends. any thoughts, advice, and comments are welcome. Thank you!

~Faith~

[Ms Grace]

Welcome to the forum!

I know it takes a lot of therapists, and doctors, etc.

This is probably your best starting point. Having a talk with a therapist, preferably one who has some experience with trans people, will be a good way to map out what you want to do and how to do it. Because you are under 18 though you may not be able to get hormone therapy without your parent's approval, depending on where you live and the local laws you might not even be able to get it with their approval until you turn 18. Hopefully the therapist or a doctor will be able to give you some information around that.

[Dena]

As far as when to start, the younger the better. Your parents will need to give their permission and some parents refuse to accept that their children are transgender. Other parents help their children in treatment and support their children. I assume you haven't discussed this with your parents yet. If you decide to talk with them about this, we can teach you anything you want to know and we have sample letters that might help you decide what to say. Let us know what you need and we will help you with it.

[Faith Rena]

Thank you all so much! I haven't told them about transitioning, but I have told them I'm bi and they accept me. I asked my dad if he was disappointed, he said not really, I'm going to be what I'm going to be, as he understands it isn't a choice. He just gives me a hug and accepts me, so does my grandmother, and my mother would be psyched in a great way of she was here lol.
I live in North America, and I've been doing research on Doctor James Bellringer, and the Charing Cross hospital in London. As far as hormones, and regular doctors, I'm not sure. I'll have to do more research, I'm just so glad to have found a community that can help me!

[Dena]

It would be best if you found a gender therapist. Possibly your parents insurance has one or your family doctor can connect you with one. Most likely at your age, the therapist will decide to start you on blockers for a few years to stop sexual development and after you are a bit older, hormones will be added to the treatment. Treatment is a bit different than it is in the UK because you can get treatment faster and some of the drugs used in treatment are different. You can leave most of the medicine up to the doctors and what you need to start considering is the social transition because you could start living the feminine role within a few months of coming out. The medical part is easy, the social transition is where all the work is.

[Ms Grace]

Thank you all so much! I haven't told them about transitioning, but I have told them I'm bi and they accept me.

Cool. Just keep in mind that parents generally react differently to news of their child being trans than to news of sexual orientation - there's a big difference since it usually entails changes that parents can find hard to process even if they are accepting and loving.

[Faith Rena]

@Ms Grace, thank you, I understand. It is much different, and I have a confident feeling about it. I'll hold off telling them for a while.. You know, until the time comes. Thank you.


@Dena, socially, I think I'm doing good. Around different people I act differently, but my confidence is being boosted by having all of this emotional support!
Like for example, for Christmas my cousin Jaime, who is like my mother, sister, and best friend in one, gave me a bag, or purse if you prefer, and it has jewels all over it, is black leather, etc. Obviously for women. On Friday, I'm supposed to go to the mall with a friend, I'm going to wear my tight jeans, my rings, my boots which are female, and my tight top which is also female, and I'm taking my bag/purse, and that will be a giant confidence boost. I'm really getting used to it out in public, I've already worn that outfit in public once, but this time, it's different because of the bag and rings and necklace my lover got me. So, for now I'm doing great, hopefully it will stay that way lol. And plus, I have long hair. From the back, you are definite that I'm a woman lol


Thank you both so much, it is much appreciated.

[Faith Rena]

Hey, I have another question..

[Cindy]

Ask away Faith!

If you are close to a large hospital the endocrinology department may be a place to start. There is a massive increase in TG children coming out and most large hospitals have units in place to help.

In Australia it is pretty straight forward if the parents are supportive. You would be treated with 'blockers' to prevent puberty (totally reversible if you change your mind) then at 18 go on HRT and any surgery you may desire.

As Dena said the hard part is socialisation but to be honest young people seem to be very accepting of gender diverse people.

You may want to read the Standards of Care SOC7

They are in the wiki but also available from www.wpath.org.

[Faith Rena]

Thank you Cindy! Now.. my question is, when I start hormones, will I have to take them the rest of my life, even after surgery? Thank you for the support it really means a lot! You are all so friendly I'm feeling very welcome and warm inside.

[Cindy]

Yes we are on hormones for life.

When you transition from male to female you lose the ability to produce the large amount of testosterone that makes men function and it is replaced with oestrogen, the female hormone.

People need either testosterone or oestrogen not only for their 'gender' but also for healthy bones etc.

Since I was born with male genitals they produced testosterone, since I don't have ovaries so I have to take oestrogen to replace the testosterone.

Taking hormones or Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) is really easy. They are either injected , tablets, patches you place on your skin or increasingly pellets (about the size of a rice grain) that are implanted under your skin. A pellet last about 6 months, a patch are changed about weekly, tablets daily or injections about once a week.

We have mentioned 'blockers' for a male to female (MtF) these are anti-androgens that block the production of testosterone. There are a variety that work in slightly different ways.

All women cis or trans have some testosterone that is needed for various functions, but women have a lot less than men.

After surgery (if a woman decides on it) she has no testicles and requires oestrogen permanently and occasionally she may need an injection of testosterone to keep her healthy.

All of this is looked after by an endocrinologist who measures your hormone levels and balances your HRT to give the best results.

[Faith Rena]

Thank you all Cindy! You have helped me much, I've been being that answer and haven't found it anywhere.. thank you!