Hello there, I'm new to this forum. :)
I have some questions about T.. they might seem dumb sorry, but I'm a teenager who has just started to come out as trans and I don't know much about this stuff. :-\
First, how old do you have to be to start it? Does it depend on what state you live in?
Where do I go to start it? Is there like a special doctor for it?
How exactly do you take it?
What exactly does it do to you and what are some negative side effects?
I haven't been on T very long, but I can answer some of your questions.
Typically I think you have to be 18 to get T, but if your not done with puberty you maybe able to get on blockers with parental consent. I don't know about starting T before growth plate closure because T can be converted to E and E is supposedly what causes growth plates to close. Typically female bodied people stop growing 2 years after their 1st period.
You have to find an endo, other doctor, or gender center that will do it. I think plan parenthood does it, but I'm not sure. I recommend utilizing state trans* resources. Informed consent is easiest, but therapy is beneficial and some people require a letter.
You can take it in patches, gels, creams, and injections. Injections are the cheapest and patches are the most expensive in most cases.
Here is a better description here http://www.ftmguide.org/ttherapybasics.html and http://www.ftmguide.org/ttypes.html and http://www.ftmguide.org/tandhealth.html
Positives/neutral
It causes body hair to masculinize: face, arms, legs, chest, and hairline.
Deepening of voice
Emotional Changes for better or worse
Clitoral growth
Stops menstruation
Changes fat distribution to a more male pattern, but cannot change bone structure.
increased sex drive
easier to build muscle
Negatives
Acne
enlarged liver/liver damage/ liver cancer (men have higher risks of these conditions)
Heart health
Balding
Stronger smelling BO
Quote from: Trenton on January 09, 2014, 02:44:42 PM
I haven't been on T very long, but I can answer some of your questions.
Typically I think you have to be 18 to get T, but if your not done with puberty you maybe able to get on blockers with parental consent. I don't know about starting T before growth plate closure because T can be converted to E and E is supposedly what causes growth plates to close. Typically female bodied people stop growing 2 years after their 1st period.
You have to find an endo, other doctor, or gender center that will do it. I think plan parenthood does it, but I'm not sure. I recommend utilizing state trans* resources. Informed consent is easiest, but therapy is beneficial and some people require a letter.
You can take it in patches, gels, creams, and injections. Injections are the cheapest and patches are the most expensive in most cases.
Here is a better description here http://www.ftmguide.org/ttherapybasics.html and http://www.ftmguide.org/ttypes.html and http://www.ftmguide.org/tandhealth.html
Positives/neutral
It causes body hair to masculinize: face, arms, legs, chest, and hairline.
Deepening of voice
Emotional Changes for better or worse
Clitoral growth
Stops menstruation
Changes fat distribution to a more male pattern, but cannot change bone structure.
increased sex drive
easier to build muscle
Negatives
Acne
enlarged liver/liver damage/ liver cancer (men have higher risks of these conditions)
Heart health
Balding
Stronger smelling BO
Thanks bro, this helps a lot. Once I come out to my mom, I'll have to ask her to take me to a doctor to talk about it with them. I am kind of disappointed about the fact that I'll probably have to wait until I'm 18 to start T. Maybe it's a good thing so I'll have time to figure out some stuff and just decide if I truly do want to go through with this. As for blockers, I think I'm done with puberty so those aren't really needed.
Quote from: Mr Hockey on January 09, 2014, 02:53:52 PM
Thanks bro, this helps a lot. Once I come out to my mom, I'll have to ask her to take me to a doctor to talk about it with them. I am kind of disappointed about the fact that I'll probably have to wait until I'm 18 to start T. Maybe it's a good thing so I'll have time to figure out some stuff and just decide if I truly do want to go through with this. As for blockers, I think I'm done with puberty so those aren't really needed.
If your parents are accepting and willing, you may be able to get on T as young as 16. One of my friends started T not too long ago at 17, and I also know someone else on track to start before he turns 18. A few doctors will prescribe younger than that, but it's definitely not nearly as common. 18 is not a strict number, it's definitely possible to start at 17 or even 16.
Quote from: CursedFireDean on January 09, 2014, 03:41:42 PM
If your parents are accepting and willing, you may be able to get on T as young as 16. One of my friends started T not too long ago at 17, and I also know someone else on track to start before he turns 18. A few doctors will prescribe younger than that, but it's definitely not nearly as common. 18 is not a strict number, it's definitely possible to start at 17 or even 16.
Thanks for the information. I haven't came out to my parents yet and I don't know how they would react to it. Oh yeah another question is how much does it cost? I live with my mom and she isn't that financially well off so of it's super expensive, I wouldn't be able to get it.
I'll have to research some doctors in my area that prescribes T to someone my age. Hmm if I can't find anyone.. it wouldn't hurt to wait a couple more years.
May wanna edit your post. It's against the rules to state your age if you're under 18.
Quote from: CursedFireDean on January 09, 2014, 05:26:11 PM
May wanna edit your post. It's against the rules to state your age if you're under 18.
Oh sorry, didn't know that.. thanks for letting me know.