8 year old FTM hormone blockers MI, USA

[Spåmann]

Hi,

I am an FTM, with an - up until recently - genderfluid child. He is now, strongly identifying FTM. He is 8.
Prounon and name change has not been an issue (his name is understood as both male and female). His friends and organized activites he goes to uses preferred pronouns. He is homeschooled.

I suddenly realized that he might hit puberty at any time, and got terrified on his behalf. This was this morning, so I have not yet talked to him about it. I want to know if blockers exist in an accessible way in Michigan. I googled it, (and searched through the forums here), but info seems to be outdated pretty fast.

My questions are:
Do anyone have their kids on blockers? (or know of kids on blockers)
If FTM when did they start/ when is a good time to start?
How do you afford it (we are uninsured immigrants, will maybe access medicaid in a year(if absolutely necessary we can sign up for a private insurance, but we can not afford to hold it for any amount of time i think))
How do you access it (are doctors restrictive (I moved to MI from NYC, and I don't even know how to access my T here)
What can we expect (have read some things about height and bones. I guess for most FTMs it is mainly a matter of never growing a chest and not getting your period)

And also, if you have had the talk with young trans children, please give me your thoughts on that too!
I mean he is 8 and puberty seems so violent, if it is going to happen soon. MTFs have at least another two years on average of a hormone-asleep body.

Oh - and he is very very short, so he might need to grow taller with blockers if that is a thing!

And, wish him luck!
Thank you!

[Dena]

My understanding is while blocker exist, they are expensive. Your child should be monitor to determine when to start them which means finding a local gender program. If the blockers are started early in puberty, the height will be the same that a male would reach as estrogen is responsible for stopping bone development. Testosterone wouldn't be given until your child approaches the late teens. On blockers, should a child change their mind, the blockers would be discontinued and normal birth gender development would take place.

If you have a gender therapist, that would be a good place to start. Another would be a local LGBT group. You might try looking here and see if there is anything that you can use.

[Spåmann]

Hi Dena,
Thank you!
When you say monitored - do you mean he has to draw blood monthly or something like that?
What is a gender therapist? I don't think I respect that? Most transfolks know their gender much better than cispeople. A gender therapist sounds to me like an expense and not much more?

Thank you for links!

[Dena]

Monitored would mean regular physical check to determine when puberty is about to start so the blockers can be used. Exactly what it would mean, I don't know because I am still learning about treatment of the very young. When I was treated you couldn't start earlier than 18. I couldn't find the right resources until I was around 25 and my first shot at that was marginal.

A gender therapist is nothing to fear. It's a person specially trained in gender variances and understands the needs of the transition process. The therapist would help your child with the  difficulties in society as well as providing supporting voice for blockers and testosterone when the time comes. I think all of us accumulate battle scars in the transition process and started early enough your child might escape with few or none.

[Cindy]

A number of Paediatric Endocrinology Units in major hospitals now have gender units in place. Your child will need on going psychological support and monitoring under a gender team to ensure physical and mental well being.

I suggest, as Dena said, and LGBTI centre or contact a teaching hospital Paediatric unit.

[Cindy]

You may be able to find local medical help through www.wpath.org and search for service providers in your area.

[AnxietyDisord3r]

I've heard in the news of interventions as young as age 9 due to early onset puberty. I think with a young child the doctor will be more likely to prescribe blockers than any other age. There has been some controversy over using them for developmentally delayed children/adults. I think you will be successful.

[FTMax]

This is a good starting read on estrogen blockers for FTMs: https://americantransman.com/2010/05/15/a-primer-on-estrogen-blockers-for-trans-men/

I have heard that blockers are quite expensive and not always covered by insurance. So before you look into purchasing insurance with the intention of getting them covered, I would read into the plan and make some phone calls to their benefits people to make sure that it won't be a waste of your money.

As far as therapy goes, you will not be able to get any kind of gender-related treatment for someone under the age of 18 in the United States without the approval of at least one mental health professional. I would imagine the younger the patient, the longer the period of evaluation would be, but not 100% sure on that. We recommend a gender therapist because they have experience with other transgender patients and typically will not prolong the process or make you jump through hoops like a regular therapist might in order to access treatment.

I think we have a good handful of members in Michigan. I would recommend asking on the Therapy board for a gender therapist that's local to you. You could also check the Links section and see if anyone is nearby.