This probably isn't an uncommon question, but here it goes.

I'm about old enough to leave the house now, and my dysphoria has really been eating me up the past half year. I think it has to do with watching my male classmates becoming men (tallness, facial hair, deeper voices, etc.). I don't want to call it jealousy, but I have no better word for it. It's a consuming jealousy that won't let me feel comfortable with myself. I believe I am ready to start making the steps toward transitioning. However, I'm not entirely sure where to start and where to go from there. Here are my main questions:

1. From what I understand, the first step is going to therapy. How does this help?

2. Do I have to get a certain diagnosis from a therapist/professional to be able to start safe testosterone treatment?

3. If I am not diagnosed with gender dysphoria, will I be unable to undergo the transitioning process (hysterectomy, mastectomy, testosterone, phalloplasty)?

A few more may come up. Thanks in advance.

Let's work backward.

First, hysterectomy, mastectomy and phalloplasty are very expensive surgical procedures.  Unless you inherited a trust fund at eighteen, you need health insurance to pay for all that stuff.

Second, which is why you need therapy.  Health insurers will not pay for the surgery unles you have a diagnosis that says you need the surgery.

Third. The testosterone is fairly cheap, but easier to get in safe dosages if you get diagnosed by a therapist and prescribed by an endocrinologist.

Fourth, if you want to bypass the therapist you can probably get testosterone by informed consent through the nearest LGBT center but you cannot get surgery without a diagnosis and a letter from a therapist.  So:

1.  See Therapist.  2.  Get diagnosed, get hormone letter.  3.  See endocrinologist, get prescription for T.  4.  After enough time on T and more therapist visits, get letters for surgery.  5.  See surgeons, get surgery.

Hugs, Carly

it also depends greatly on where you live.  different countries, states, and cities will have different laws, regulations, and resources.  I would say the first step should be looking up information, laws, and resources specific to the area where you live (or somewhere accessible to you).  consider what treatment steps you want to take, then find out what you will need for each step.