Susan's Place Transgender Resources

For those of us starting HRT in our Forties  any  advice for  those of  us  starting later in life?  obviously we   challenges  starting  later.  in  my  case  recent  health issues,  divorce  and children make my  transition  really  difficult  now  than had i done  this much earlier in life. Hugs Danielle

I started at age 47 although I had previously been on HRT for two years during my early twenties.

I think each decade of life can throw up its own particular challenges. I never married nor had children so that wasn't an issue. For myself, being in my late forties, my main concerns were around whether it would really work, and my job/financial security. Three years later I feel it was worth it, and fortunately it didn't effect my job.

Financial security is often (although obviously not always) a benefit of transitioning later in life. For younger transitioners, being able to afford transition as well as clothe, feed and house themselves on no or low wages can be very, very difficult.

Depends on family history regarding changes.  Good luck and hugs Shannon

I started hormone replacement regiment at age 57, was married, divorced with two children. Would consider myself fortunate in that my both of my children have accepted me. My daughter sent me a link on Facebook where my ex-wife had an alert wishing her a happy anniversary which showed a picture of me as a female and her. My daughter said her reaction was something to the tune of "that's life" and was not bitter about my transition. I think part of that was because she does not earn very much, could not assist with sending our children to college but I did and if not more likely than not would had been bitter with me.

Coming at this from starting at 57 I believe the issues thought about "Is my health going to be an issue for gender reassignment surgery or breast augmentation?", turns out there were no health issues and had both surgeries at 58 years old.

Not everyone can say they are healthy enough for surgery, over the years I've heard heartbreaking stories of people pushing forward for bottom surgery and were not physically suited to undergoing the procedures.

I don't know the statistics but seems like my generation the majority had to wait later in life to transition and that lends itself to health issues unlike the newer one's looking to transition they are starting out earlier in life whom I envy as don't have to live decades in the wrong body with possible health issues that come with growing old.

I'm 42 and started on E in late February and AA in May. There has been developments already - the shape of my face is changing, my skin is softer and breasts have started to develop.

My body hair is also diminishing and hair appears to be growing just above my temples where it had started to recede.

I'm looking forward to socially transitioning next year, although chest development my push that forward. The only thing that's holding me back is my electrolysis - I really want to have most, if not all of my face permanently cleared by the time I transition.

In summary, don't let your age hold you back at all - go for it girl!!

Julie x

I'm 56 and not sure if my body can handle the switch over. Hearing that others have makes me feel better about it.

I am 52 and am 12 weeks on HRT, last 4 weeks of it on a full transitional dose...yes you can do it...It won't be a walk in the park and you will probably lose a few people along the way...but don't give up because of your age...you have battled and kept yourself safe for a long time...You are never too old, I have some severe health issues but I am still in transition.

Hugs 

Liz

Ladies, Thank you for sharing. I am  taking  my  time with  my  transition.  The electrolysis is  going well. my divorce is  final. I  have a good therapist and am financially doing well. I have a supportive girlfriend. I am excited to start HRT next month. I appreciate  all  your support and support. Hugs  Danielle!

I will turn 42 in a few weeks and I started HRT mid. Dez. 2015.
Changes are visible in my face, my breast are I growing and I have the impression that my hips are rounding out, not to much but it's a start. My main concerns are my hairs (balding since my teens) and my voice, but that is something I will manage in time.

My two daughters (10 & 19) are accepting and call me Mapa.  ;D
I'm getting divorced from my wife and if everything is going as planned - as wished by my 10 year old - she will stay with me. Looks like I will transition while single parenting.
Transitioning is not the primary reason for divorce, we had the four horseman of the Apocalypse (http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/6818488%7Cfour%20horseman%20of%20the%20Apocalypse) already in our backyard, so it was only the straw that broke the camels back.

I'm happy so far how things are going and it's never to late to be true to yourself, I only regret that I didn't start earlier but this is something I share with a lot of other girls.  ;)

tessa, I  look for  the positive and realized  my support and confidence  were not there younger.   my  daughter's  are 13 & 14.  similarly  my  transition was not  the  cause of my divorce. its made it easier to  live as me  once and for all.Thanks  for  your sharing. Hugs Danielle

Girls we are in this together.  Our breasts our bodies our voices all of it. Hugs Shannon (very tender today)

I told my SO that if (when I was 37) I didn't start transition within 5 years, it was a wrap.  A lot of it had to do with her wanting a divorce.  We got over that and the marriage is going strong.  I started hrt 6/10 and am  waiting for the magic beans to kick in! Hopefully, I will get decent breast growth and redistribution of fat.

All of that to say many people on Susan's have transition at a later age, and if they can do it so can we!