I really hope I'm not repeating everything here in a nutshell. I just wonder, like in my case, if it's common to fantasize about becoming a woman, but having little or no real gender dysphoria.

Quote from: redhot1 on January 24, 2016, 04:40:54 AM
I really hope I'm not repeating everything here in a nutshell. I just wonder, like in my case, if it's common to fantasize about becoming a woman, but having little or no real gender dysphoria.

I was much like that until my 40's, then it suddenly started getting serious. On HRT now, and pondering what to do next.

Its a transgender spectrum.

There are all kinds of people, with all kinds of experiences.

It can also be a step by step process.

Its possible with increased own acceptance new goals appear.

A good gender therapist can help. Or simply getting used to a few thoughts.


hugs

Your poll has some misunderstandings in it. What you describe is the way I and many other late transitioners were, THEN the dysphoria hit. Those thoughts are a good sign that you're "born this way".

I kinda feel like if someone IDs as a cross-dresser but they want hormones they kind of are, even if they don't necessarily claim to be, trans... like if you want that, it's for a reason and even if they don't call it dysphoria or if they kind of think that they could cope without it, it's still valid. 'cause coping or just getting over it isn't the same as living with it and being happy.

I am not voting in the poll because it's not targeting the issue correctly. The fact that you are on this site indicates you are or know somebody who is TG. I assume you are because I believe your avatar is opposite your birth gender. Feeling TG is a form of dysphoria. In your case, I suspect it is being uncomfortable with your birth gender or being more comfortable as the opposite gender. Not everybody here is uncomfortable with their body and for the most part, I wasn't but I was very uncomfortable with the roll I had to play in life.

The answer to your question is clear. If the hormones will alter your life enough to make you comfortable, then hormones therapy is not a choice but a medical need.

I sure hope not, because I wasn't. I was a cis guy once... I just grew out of it. I believe that some people do know when they're very young, but that's not the only way to find that you're trans or to end up transitioning.

I also recommend what worked for me : start with baby steps and see if it makes you happier. If at every step you're sure this is something you want and you're *more* happy than you were before (even if you weren't miserable or dysphoric before), it's no more unreasonable for you to continue down the path than anyone else. I didn't think I would be unable to survive as my birth gender, I merely thought I'd be happier if I transitioned. And I was right!

Yep, this should not be about birthright or age range or whatever. It is about how You feel about taking hormones.
The best advice I have read and can pass further is - if You feel that taking hormones will Your issues - take them. Soon You will notice weather they are good or bad for You and if You will realised that You actually dont want them... stop taking them.
I have met many cross-dressers and most of them were quite horrified about the idea of taking hormones and changing Your entire system. Because not only will give You secondary sex characteristics, but they also have that subtle mind-altering effect which in long term will change Your personality in a quite drastic (this was not meant in a negative sense but as a comparison) way. If one is comfortable with their personality, yet is bugged by some gender related issues, then hormones might seem scary indeed.

Quote from: redhot1 on January 24, 2016, 04:40:54 AM
I really hope I'm not repeating everything here in a nutshell. I just wonder, like in my case, if it's common to fantasize about becoming a woman, but having little or no real gender dysphoria.

Yup. That's me. I've wanted to be a girl since I was a teen. I didn't have any dysphoria about being male. I just thought being a girl would be the most wonderful thing that could have happened to me.

I don't think I ever really had dysphoria, only the fear of how bad it could be if I'd stayed a man.

I'm really glad I didn't. I've been living full-time for two and a half years, post op for a year and a half and haven't regretted a minute of it.

Thanks Suzi, your post resonates with me. I have only very mild dysphoria from the sounds of things. No strong hatred or loathing just perhaps a numbness about having this male body. I certainly never wanted to be a woman since being a child or for frustrated during adolescence, but I would say there's been a growing awareness of something not quite feeling right that got strongly triggered by the transition channel on you tube about 4 months ago. Now i can't put my overwhelming feelings to transition "back in the bottle". I'm glad to have some understanding and clarity on the fog in my mind