Full time before HRT or after changes start?

[Denise]

So I was just reading another post where someone went full time female mode before starting hormones.  I intend to do it the other way.  Start hormones soon, come out later (6 - 9 months?)

Being 54 there are few life changes (new job, new school, new...) So I don't have that timing convenience.

I'm curious as to other's reasons for one way or the other.

[Angélique LaCava]

I was full time 3 years before I started hrt. Reason for that is somehow I looked female my whole life. Even dressed as a guy people thought I was a dyke.

[Dena]

Some people can't afford the medical cost of HRT and are uncomfortable enough in their current role to transition without HRT. In some countries there was/is a requirement you be full time before you receive any of the government TG related treatment. Most want that bit of help that HRT offers before they go full time.

It is a personal decision with many factors involved. What ever approach works best for you is the one you should use.

[KayXo]

Within months of starting HRT, with my already long hair and disappearing facial hair, I was already passing most of the time so I started living full time earlier than expected. I just couldn't pass as a guy anymore, it was ridiculous.

[Emileeeee]

I was probably capable of starting prior to HRT because I was already partially being gendered female, but I wasn't seeing it at all and that scared me. I waited until 3 months into HRT to go full time, which is when guys were starting to also gender me female.

[noleen111]

I think it depends on your situation and there is no right answer.

Me.. I went full time when i started hrt. My situation .. a real good opportunity arose for me away from my home town, so i moved away when i started hrt.. a new life as a woman, one might say. So it was logical to go full time at this point for me.

Physically at that point i had already grown my hair and had my ears pierced. I also wore a pair of B cup foam breast forms when in public until my breasts grew. HRT ended up giving me D cups, so maybe there people that think I had boob job. All my new friends only know me as woman.

[DanaDane]

I have decided that I will go full time when male fail kicks in.  It's the way that I'll maintain my sanity..

[Emjay]

Like others have already said:  It's different for everyone and there really isn't a right or wrong answer.

Personally, I was over 20 months into HRT before making announcements and going full time.  I'm 43, if that makes any difference at all.  Honestly, my therapist was encouraging me more than anyone (myself included) to go full time sooner.  Probably because she could see what living as a male was doing to me. 

I probably waited a little too long in retrospect, I waited until depression was starting to take hold again and that was my final straw when I realized that.  I kept telling myself to wait.......  for HRT to do more, for my hair to be a **little**longer, for more electrolysis, to get more comfortable in my job, etc..... 

In the end I just reached a point of "screw it, I can't handle it any more" and that was it.

[Jessika]

I have decided that I will go full time when male fail kicks in.  It's the way that I'll maintain my sanity..

Same for me.

[WholeNewDrew]

I was planning on starting HRT before living full-time, but currently it's looking like I'm going to be full-time for a few months beforehand. It's just the way my particular scenario has worked out.

[SofiN]

I actually went full time before HRT, name change, presentation and all the rest.

It was kinda a "do or die" situation where I just couldn't hide it in any more. It is harder doing it this way but I imagine others are in the same boat where it is the only "release" as it were.

[Harley Quinn]

I'd suggest going 1 day at a time. You'll know when it's right for you. There's going to be an awkward time either way... it'll be whatever you're most comfortable with. Still looking like a man and living as a woman, or looking more feminine while still living as a man... both will have their drawbacks during your "tween" years. For me, it'll be the time when I'm difficult to pass as male anymore. Then I'll just be me the next day. It gives me time to get my ducks in a row, have my voice down, build a wardrobe, and have a "style" that I've developed. It'll be a bit more difficult to practice, but I can do it in private before stepping out in my new shoes... so to speak. It's a learning curve and a steep one. The important thing is that you're comfortable.

[melissa_h]

Same for me.

I'm in the same boat.

Personally, I'm liking the full time after changes approach.  Positive mental effects of HRT are working wonderfully.  Waiting for male fail is somehow ... easier ... for me at least ... than presenting as female and dealing with failure there.  In watching some posts here, it seems to add more ... "pressure" for the effects of HRT to take hold.

I completely understand why people go that route though (in fact, in some places it's actually a requirement to do so in order to begin HRT.) But for me, there is benefit in taking a more gradual approach.

[Stevie]

 I'm 57 and went full-time before starting HRT, I was at a point were transitioning was the only thing that would keep me here. I passed for the most part at my age there is less scrutiny, but I really didn't care. I am able to be myself and that's a pretty amazing feeling.

[KyleeKrow]

I figure if I ever reach the point of male fail I'll go full time. For me, it's more about how I see myself than how others see me. And I still will act like the same person. But everybody's mileage varies I suppose. Maybe it would help if I had more girlfriends to learn from and do things with, but as long as I'm making SOME progress with transitioning, I'm pretty content. It's when I'm not moving forward that I get really down, but that hasn't happened since starting HRT. I can't remember what I was supposed to be talking about now... I swear the longer I'm on this stuff the more ranty and brain farty I get.

[archlord]

You go full-time the moment you feel confortable with It . I did It after 2.5 month on hormones , the skin change was so intense that It really was easy to pass after ... Then look at me now after 4 month , I think I look very good and I Just had FFS and BA last monday .

Cant really present male anymore with 36D chest lol

[Mariah]

It differs for everyone. Some are more comfortable waiting tell male fail and others like myself are willing to jump in with both feet before HRT. It's generally totally up to you unless you live in a country where RLE is required before HRT. When your comfortable and ready to do so that is when you would want to start full time. Whether that is before or after HRT only time will tell. Hugs
Mariah