By next Christmas it would be a dream if I could have top surgery, be completely male with hormones, and have come out to everyone (though that will be the toughest thing I'd have to do so far, and I'm terrified of even coming out to my dad and sister). I hope my period will have stopped too and I'll have a male sounding voice and other characteristics. Is it a realistic goal? 

I keep wishing for it so much. I think I may be trans after all. I suppose I am mostly just scared.

Its a good goal, something to aim for.  I hope you make it all happen.

It's a good goal, but don't be discouraged if you don't reach it right on time. I know for me it took a lot longer because of therapist waits, and then parents.

Nothing is impossible ... I am going to start T on Jan 1st .... I have the T but want to have a significant start date.  I also plan to have top surgery this summer .... I took out the max on health saving account and so did my wife and it will give us $10,000 ... enough for surgery ...plan and think ahead it is all possible.

If you want to stop your period you can get a Depo shot --- I have been on it for six months and no periods ... it is a form of birth control but it's also a hormone supressor ... it's been great not having shark week

That sounds pretty decent.  Like my brother always tells me though.  Once you reach one goal always set another one so you always have something to strive for.  For me I have to wait til I'm on T for a year before I can get any surgery for my insurance to cover it.  It sucks, but I have a really decent co-pay and I get reimbursed most of it from my job so I can't really complain TOO much.  The way I see it though, even waiting a year, it's still one step closer to where I was yesterday, last week or last year so it's all good.

Quote from: Robert Scott on December 19, 2011, 04:55:12 PM
If you want to stop your period you can get a Depo shot --- I have been on it for six months and no periods ... it is a form of birth control but it's also a hormone supressor ... it's been great not having shark week

0.0 that. sounds. AMAZING!  I never knew about depo shots... imma look into it!

Quote from: Cody Jensen on December 19, 2011, 05:49:23 PM
0.0 that. sounds. AMAZING!  I never knew about depo shots... imma look into it!

Fair warning, depo does NOT work that way for everyone.  I know several women (don't know any transguys personally who opted for depo) who still got periods, and the pill form, Provera, had me bleeding for 22 days straight.  Even the company that produces DP says that it only causes complete cessation of menses in about 50% of patients, and for the first 6 months to a year to expect irregular periods and spotting.  If you're planning on getting on T next year anyways, I'd just wait, personally.

Quote from: Bahzi on December 19, 2011, 08:32:36 PM
Fair warning, depo does NOT work that way for everyone.  I know several women (don't know any transguys personally who opted for depo) who still got periods, and the pill form, Provera, had me bleeding for 22 days straight.  Even the company that produces DP says that it only causes complete cessation of menses in about 50% of patients, and for the first 6 months to a year to expect irregular periods and spotting.  If you're planning on getting on T next year anyways, I'd just wait, personally.

Took the words right outta my mouth dude!! I too know people who have 'bled' for weeks at a time.. I second the just wait attitude if you're going for T anyway.

Quote from: Paul on December 19, 2011, 05:01:56 PM
That sounds pretty decent.  Like my brother always tells me though.  Once you reach one goal always set another one so you always have something to strive for.  For me I have to wait til I'm on T for a year before I can get any surgery for my insurance to cover it.  It sucks, but I have a really decent co-pay and I get reimbursed most of it from my job so I can't really complain TOO much.  The way I see it though, even waiting a year, it's still one step closer to where I was yesterday, last week or last year so it's all good.

OMG, that's awesome.  Can I ask, what insurance do you have?

Quote from: Bahzi on December 19, 2011, 08:32:36 PM
Fair warning, depo does NOT work that way for everyone.  I know several women (don't know any transguys personally who opted for depo) who still got periods, and the pill form, Provera, had me bleeding for 22 days straight.  Even the company that produces DP says that it only causes complete cessation of menses in about 50% of patients, and for the first 6 months to a year to expect irregular periods and spotting.  If you're planning on getting on T next year anyways, I'd just wait, personally.

I just researched it and heard that among other side effects such as weight gain and depression 

Quote from: JohnAlex on December 19, 2011, 10:25:39 PM
OMG, that's awesome.  Can I ask, what insurance do you have?

Capital District Physicians Health Plan (CDPHP).  Unfortunately I'm pretty sure it's only in NY.

Quote from: Paul on December 20, 2011, 02:42:11 AM
Capital District Physicians Health Plan (CDPHP).  Unfortunately I'm pretty sure it's only in NY.

Only in Albany and the surrounding area, I'd assume.

Unfortunately, yes :-/  Stinks because it's a really good plan.

Sounds good, Cody, but as has already been said don't fall into the trap of making plans and then being crushed when your expectations aren't met.  I don't know where you are in the world, but sometimes therapists will have you wait 3 months before giving the go-ahead for T and a year before referring you for surgery.  Also factor in things like waiting times for appointments.  Something else to remember is that as far as a "male voice" goes, you may not see changes in the first months or even a year.  Not trying to be a spoilsport, but try to be realistic. Your plan is great - just be cautiously optimistic and not naive.  Good luck!

@Kreuzfidel Thanks for the heads up. Btw I live in Canada 

I went with an IUD about 2 years ago - Mirena.  It stopped the periods and when I talked to my endo about it before the T she recommended leaving it in for now.   Her words  "If you're stuck on a desert island without T at least you won't get your period."

It isn't one that promises to stop it completely, but seems to be something that is pretty common.

Quote from: Zach R on December 21, 2011, 11:48:43 AM
I went with an IUD about 2 years ago - Mirena.  It stopped the periods and when I talked to my endo about it before the T she recommended leaving it in for now.   Her words  "If you're stuck on a desert island without T at least you won't get your period."

It isn't one that promises to stop it completely, but seems to be something that is pretty common.

Doesn't birth control release more estrogen into the body in order to trick it into not having periods?  I'd look into it, but I don't want any more estrogen in me. 

Quote from: AdamMLP on December 21, 2011, 12:42:52 PM
Doesn't birth control release more estrogen into the body in order to trick it into not having periods?  I'd look into it, but I don't want any more estrogen in me. 

This is from the website:

QuoteMirena is a soft, flexible IUD that releases small amounts of hormone locally into your uterus.

So from what I understand it's local vs. the pill which is released throughout the body.   The endo didn't seem to think it would cause any issues.

I personally went with the depo shot b/c it is once every three months --- I have been on it six months and have not gain any weight ... I haven't had any issues with my depression and it has completely stopped my period.  It has been heaven to me to not have shark week.

Depo is a hormone supressor and is given to youth transguys ... it's what my doctor uses and recommends ---- it has been wonderful personally for me

I'd love to know more about depo but I heard it messes up hormones too but then again these were women's experiences, not transguys. So that might affect it?