Is hrt (mtf) effective starting at 24 years old?

I can't find a timeline of anyone in that age group and it's starting to discourage me and lean me more toward suicide. So, is it effective? Will my bone structure have a better chance of changing more akin to that of a female at that age? Will I be passable?

Is being fat a burden if you are transitioning?

Be honest.

Hi Honey,
24! You are a spring chicken! I started at 58.

Yay you will be a lovely young woman. Yes it is easier to lose weight when you are young and active. A good diet, walking, and give up sugary drinks.

Welcome Hon one of the Mods will post a direction to the Terms of Service, but join in the fun, you are with friends now.

Very effective. Although how much you develop will depend more your genetics than your age.

I was 24 when I started on HRT - I'm now 55. I have an all natural figure and an F cup bust.

I didn't start on hormones until I was around 25 and the treatment wasn't as effective as it is today. Your bone structure is pretty well set at this point but the fat deposits do some rather interesting stuff. Fat reshaped my legs and face and naturally there was some breast development though not much for me. Much can be accomplished with makeup and hair. My only plastic surgery was my nose and adams apple. My current nose was cleaned up but had only a small amount of reshaping. My instructions were to avoid an over feminine nose and stay with something that would belong on either face incase I should change my mind. I think he did a pretty good job of it.
Sometimes fat is an advantage in a female look and other times it's better to lose weight. If you are a good deal over weight, I would consider a diet.

I looked extremely male before I started to transition and suspect I would never be passable but with no surgery I was able to develop an image that was passable and I am gendered correctly by appearance even without makeup. You never know what you will end up with until you work on it for a while. I have some skill with images and others up here are even more skilled. FFS can help many but you should consider that as a last resort. For me being passable was my goal and I achieved it. I might never be beautiful but I can live with that.

Hi BR,

We all have such a unique journey that we are fond of saying "your mileage will vary" which acknowledges we are individuals and our course will be impacted by our genetics and more.  Some people expose themselves to the "do I pass" sorts of threads here by putting their picture out for comment.  I think you can learn a great deal from the thousands of posts and threads by people with experiences that may be just like yours?

Good luck exploring

Oh gosh, 25! I wish I started at 25. I have slightly more than 10 years on you.

Most of your bone development is done so that won't really happen as much (I heard it happens a little). You'll have soft tissue and fat changes.

Being a little overweight is not a problem unless you're unhealthy. A doctor may be hesitant to prescribe HRT if you're obese. Some do, but some tend to tell you to lose the weight.

Genes matter a lot. How are your female relatives? Big busted? Flat chested? What you get will probably be similar to them.

Good luck!

Yes 25, I'm jealous. I have same anxiety being 33 and there are folks here who have transitioned later and wish they were my age when they did it. I'm not in a position to transition right now but it's been moved to the front burner in my life.

Quote from: KatelynBG on August 05, 2015, 11:38:16 AM
Yes 25, I'm jealous. I have same anxiety being 33 and there are folks here who have transitioned later and wish they were my age when they did it. I'm not in a position to transition right now but it's been moved to the front burner in my life.

I'm 34 and Just started transitioning and I can relate to those concerns.  Thinking logically I'd definitely say it's not the "best" time for me to transition either, however life happens and for myself waiting just wasn't an option anymore.

Quote from: boredrooster on August 05, 2015, 09:26:24 AMIs hrt (mtf) effective starting at 24 years old?

I can't find a timeline of anyone in that age group and it's starting to discourage me and lean me more toward suicide. So, is it effective? Will my bone structure have a better chance of changing more akin to that of a female at that age? Will I be passable?

Is being fat a burden if you are transitioning?

Be honest.

As to starting at 24, the younger the more positive the results is usually the consensus I've seen.  Don't expect much from your bones at this point though.  In the end though you won't know how it all turns out until you do it.  There are no guarantee's and range of experiences is just to large to give a simple answer.

Though as many folks will undoubtedly say, I wish I'd started when I was your age.

I think being to preoccupied with being "passable" is more detrimental than it's worth.  There's definitely an over emphasis on it IMO.  I do understand the concern though as it was a major deterrent to my own transition for over 10 years, and even now I'm very self conscious about how I look.  Honestly just watching transition timelines helped me a lot, I was surprised how dramatic generally they were and it really helps me stay positive.

I will say that I've found the opposite to be true of transition timelines and videos for the 20-25 range.  I've certainly seen a lot more those than in my age bracket.  Though it can be tricky as not everyone notes there age.  For me finding timelines or videos of mid early-mid 30's has been tough.  Seems there are plenty for our younger folks and a fair number in their 40+ but not a whole lot in between, though this is an entirely anecdotal observation.

Lastly the whole weight thing is something I have some experience with, though it's best to get advice from your doctor if you have health concerns.

For myself, at the start of the year I was over 320+ pounds and while I'm about 6' 2" that definitely falls under obese.  I had already made the decision to transition and for my own health I decided to loose weight first, which my doctor later reinforced.  I can only speak for myself on this but making the decision to transition and even telling my close friends/family helped motivate me on the weight front.  Once I got down to a weight where I was consistently loosing and manageable I pursued medical transition.

As of now I'm at about 280 (40+ pounds off and going) and into my second week of hormones and I'm positive this is the right decision.  I won't claim I don't have a LOT of lingering anxieties or hurdles to overcome, but I feel a lot more prepared to deal with them now.

Wow we could be twins. I'm also 6'2 and was 320 at the start of the year. I've also successfully lost a lot of weight. Good luck in your journey. ::hugs::

We have this wonderful thread "Transitioning in Your 30-ties"
https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php?topic=86568.0
and a lot of concerns voiced here have been actually dealt with there. Not all, of course, as each one of us is different.
But +1 on very little number of transition timelines on YT within our age bracket - when I learned what the HRT is and what it can do, I was beating myself down, watching all available YT videos only to find out that most of them were about people in their early-mid 20-ties. It was kinda desparate, to put it mildly. And then I found Emma's B channel and she was exactly in my age and we even had some similar features face-wise, and her success pretty much cemented my wish to "at least try this thing out to know if it feels right". Ironically, at my 2 years mark I turned out completely different to Emma, but not that I am complaining

I transitioned at 28, your bones aren't going to change. It is impossible for anyone to tell you if you would pass or not. Unless you pass already.

I was suicidal, the docs and psychs told me I might as well try transitioning (after being diagnosed with gender dysphoria), what have I got to lose.

now I'm 41 and happy. Maybe you can be too?

Greetings, welcome to Susan's.

I wish I could have started at 25.  Oh well, it is working out just fine.

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A lot of it depends on your genetics, your HRT regimen and no doubt some other random factors. I started HRT when I was 24, was on it for 26 months with a fair bit of feminisation except in the boob department (AA, if that). When I started again at age 47 I had a much better response. I given I was a fair bit older I can only put the difference in physical change to the treatment itself.

Quote from: boredrooster on August 05, 2015, 09:26:24 AM
Is hrt (mtf) effective starting at 24 years old?

Once you go thru first puberty there is no changing your bone structure. But don't get discouraged, unless you have an unusually wide shoulder/rib structure, you're most likely going to achieve a female shape with fat re-positioning and muscle restructuring. It will take time tho, years, for this to achieve maximum results, but starting in your 20's is a great way to ensure it and you'll most likely achieve a result faster. Will still take some years tho.

Quote from: boredrooster on August 05, 2015, 09:26:24 AMI can't find a timeline of anyone in that age group and it's starting to discourage me and lean me more toward suicide. So, is it effective?

Well depends on what you mean by effective. In terms of getting the best results after first puberty.. well YEAAHHH you're most likely going to have better results the earlier you start vs the later you do. There is eventually a break point, but that's like 50's or something.

Quote from: boredrooster on August 05, 2015, 09:26:24 AMWill my bone structure have a better chance of changing more akin to that of a female at that age?

Nope. Too late for that, but most of your 'bulk' is honestly muscle that does change, and fat, that does as well.

Quote from: boredrooster on August 05, 2015, 09:26:24 AMWill I be passable?

That depends on entirely too many factors to give you a definitive answer. Passing as a female is entirely more than just shape. I'll honestly say if you work hard at it, I don't see why not.

Quote from: boredrooster on August 05, 2015, 09:26:24 AMIs being fat a burden if you are transitioning?

Yes it is. Lose the weight now before you start hormones. THIS IS ESSENTIAL! You can do electrolysis while you work on slimming down. The importance of doing this now is starting your first part of your Lifestyle Change. Changing gender/sex isn't just about operations, it's about changing your life as well. Part of that is your mental state of mind, and you need a more positive one, especially if you're suicidal. This is best done with regularly working out and therapy (both, not just one or the other).

Work on becoming the NEW YOU in all ways. Nothing wrong at all in becoming nutritionally aware and a fitness buff. Change your life for the better by starting at ground zero. Know that THESE STEPS ARE IMPORTANT in starting your transition. Don't avoid them, invest in a strong foundation to prepare and ready you for the hard times ahead. This way you can smash thru them because you have a base to stand on.

Quote from: boredrooster on August 05, 2015, 09:26:24 AMBe honest.

Always. 

*

Yes, 'boredrooster' - you are still so young starting.  Your doctors will determine your health status.  A member of my local transsexual group who is my same age started her transition barely two years ago.  I was fortuneate to start my ERT during my 22nd year (here my regret is that I lacked the wherewithal to have started sooner).  My first endocrinologist told me bluntly that he doubted I would ever 'pass' as female.  My second endo four years later told me that I converted as if I had been born female.  'Your mileage may vary,' as Tessa posted, but you will never know until you decide what to do.

Good therapy and counselling will rescue you from your brink.

From reading others' stories and from my own experiences, 'passing' seems to be the issue early during pre-transition and early transition - that insecurity not knowing whether people will perceive us as our desired gender - female or male.

Eventually I learned and realised that my own action had much to do with 'passing' - my presentation to others.  Was I presenting as 'male' or as 'female'.  Allow this explanation.

My wardrobe as I began transition changed to uni-sex female attire; I eliminated all my male predecessor's attire.  Some of my uni-sex female attire was more 'masculine', some was more 'feminine', and some could be considered neutral.  I tended to wear the 'masculine' or neutral look such as at work where I was employed as male during my male part-time mode.  I wore the 'feminine' look when I presented as female during my part-time female mode; I of course also had truer female attire (e.g., dresses and skirts) when I presented as female.

As I progressed through transition, I noticed that I began feeling less fear and more comfortability in my uni-sex 'feminine'-styled attire even during my male mode.  I think back and sometimes wonder how others perceived me while I was dressed in something of the 'feminine'-style while presenting as male.

Bottom line lesson for me:

     -  if I presented as male wearing my uni-sex 'masculine'-styled female clothes, then others usually perceived me, or at least accepted me on that premise, as male

     -  if I presented as female even wearing my female 'masculine'-styled clothes, then others usually perceived me, or at least accepted me on that premise, as female.

I can't identify a particular day or date or even a duration of a time period to tell you that at some point (likely no later than late transition) I no longer thought of my effort of female appearance as whether I was 'passing'.  At some point, my completing mental conversion eventually, naturally told me I am female without any second thought to that concept.

In fact, I probably became more concerned about passing as male at places where I still presented as male (e.g., work) by my late transition time rather than passing as female where I presented as female.  My body hair was gone.  My facial hair was going away fast.  My voice remained female through delayed puberty and continued to be recognised as female.  I lost my masculine appearance.  I became more natural with my feminine mannerisms.  My ERT converted my body scent to female.  There was no sign of a male-pattern hair line.

It was no wonder, then, that people who worked at other businesses where we all worked at an eight-story office complex frequently mistook me as female (and I have stories to go with that) while I was doing what I thought was my best to present as male.  I can only imagine how my own employment co-workers thought of me as my appearance changed from masculine to feminine during my five years there.  And I know that I must have occasionally worn something that fit the 'feminine'-styled uni-sex female attire where I worked as male.

I am more than 35 years since first ERT, more than 30 years since 2nd post-op, and 30 years since completing transition to full-time female forever.  None, at least to my face, mis-gender me.  I still keep my thoughts young and still appreciate each time someone calls me 'Miss' or 'Ma'am' as if I am hearing it for the first time.  Each time I hear those courtesies gives a satisfying shot of positive mental reinforcement to me.

Certainly, nowadays, I take only intuitive notion.  I AM female.  I AM a woman.  And I am 59 years old.  So I grab whatever I choose from my wardrobe without second thoughts, I choose to wear make-up - or not, and both are moot to that 'passing' phase.  I have long gone beyond those ancient thoughts of 'passing' - 'Iamme'.

*

Up untill a few years ago if you started HRT before like age 50 you were an exception. These days with videos galore of teens on HRT I can see why there is such of sense of hoplessness and futility and thinking "My life is over" if you start later then..... 12?

Yes, younger is better. T is a powerful drug and effects you radically. By the time you're 24 a typical male is about done growing and T is peaking. Slower more insidious changes will take place under the hood.

Estrogen is not a magic beauty pill. If you start it thinking it will be just that and turn you into a super-model you will be disappointed. If you want to stop the stop the pain of being trans, feel better about being you, have a sense of inner peace, then it can very likely be that magic pill you are looking for. Therapy with a for real gender therapist is also helpful.

In my 20's and even later in life I went on/off low dose HRT. It was the magic pill that allowed me to survive, giving me a much needed brain reset. After 3-6 months between swelling nips and not so swelling downstairs I knew it was time to stop before raching the point of no return.

At age 50 I didn't stop, moved to full dose, and have a for real B cup. I am also the happiest I've ever been in my life. Finally OK with living in my own skin. IMO, as long as you're still waking up on the sunny side of the grass, it is never "Too Late"

Yes, definitely check out the thread on people in their 30s. I started at 32 and had fantastic results (people haven't misgendered me since about six months in).

As for weight, personally, I found being overweight to be a benefit - it gave me great curves, and also the extra padding concealed my more masculine bone structure early on.

The Transitioning in my 30s thread is a great one. It's what brought me back to this site.

I started at age 59 . . . it was a trip!  It softened my face, cleaned up my skin, redistributed fat all over the place and after about 10-12 years I developed smallish size C or large B breasts.  It also affected my body and scalp hair.

From the results I have gotten I believe if I would have started in my twenties - wow! And in my teens I'd be very cis-ish - tall of course with a large frame but - but if a teen, then growth inhibitors could have made a huge difference.  (BTW: I went to college on a football scholarship.  Oh, yes I did yo sweet mama, burnin down the house!)

The Big E and Me . . . I love ya gurl!!!

R

P.S. Hmmm, must be time for my meds

I started at age 30 and pass perfectly. In fact, I was in a all-female treatment facility for addiction issues and no one once said a thing about being transgender. To be fair, I'm 5'5 and 135 lbs. But I had wonderful results and am a 32D and have a 28 inch waist and 37 inch hips. I had gynecomastia beforehand though and very fat thighs, aka hips, beforhand. I was also andro looking. So there is that and I have no idea what your starting point is. But my BF saw pictures of me before transtion and says the change is astonishing and can't believe I really transformed into such a beautiful woman, and my BF is quite the looker. So yeah, HRT works. But bone structure, you're stuck with that and musdcles take years and years to lose.