Hi.  My name is Jerrod and this is my first time posting here.  I am 23 and I am just now thinking I am perhaps a woman trapped inside a males body.  It's no suprise really.  I mean, I grew up kinda the odd one.  Not like weird or nothing.  But, while my brother who is 2 years younger then me always went outside to mow the lawn with my dad I stayed inside like a girl would do.  And I prefred it that way.  There has been a time or two when I crossdresssed, although very poorly.  I put on makeup, and even had a girl paint my nails for me many many years ago.  I get really emotional a lot.  In other words, im really sensitive and worry about my weight and fuss over my looks and stuff.  I cry a lot during happy and sad movies.  And theres also the fact that I would prefer a really cute butterfly tattoo on the small of my back, as opposed to a man's tattoo.  Basically, like I said, I feel like I am a woman inside a mans body. 

Despite all this, I don't think im gay.  I am probably bisexual, but I don't get any thrills from the standard male gender alone.  But I love transexuals.  Now, im not entirely sure if I am a truely a girl or not.  But how did you guys come to really know?  And what do I actually go thru to try to get the female hormones to transform myself into a woman.  My face is too masculine now, so even when I put on makeup I still look like a guy, despite my longer hair.  And I don't want to just look like a guy in make up and ladies apparel.  I want to be a real, living and breathing woman.  I want to have the softer skin, the breasts, the bigger waist.  And above all, I want to be able to feel like a girl.  I wanna feel happy like only a girl knows how. 

So, I was just wondering how I actually get started.  And how long do you suppose it will take to be a full woman?  And is it safe or do I run into risks? And best of all, will my breasts feel natural and real?  Will they feel the same as a biological females breasts?

I really appreciate anything you guys have to tell me.  Thanks in advance.
I just posted a new topic in the introduction forum.  I didnt realize that there was a forum like that until I posted this.  Sorry about that.
I just posted a new topic in the introduction forum.  I didnt realize that there was a forum like that until I posted this.  Sorry about that.

Welcome to the site.

Gennee

Welcome to the forum!

Feel free to poke around and familiarize yourself with the Site Rules..

Quote from: WATRODinfinity on April 13, 2007, 08:52:32 AM
Now, im not entirely sure if I am a truely a girl or not.  But how did you guys come to really know?

The answers to that are soooo varied. Poke around the forum, especially through the intros, and you'll see so many different stories. Some have known all their lives, some suspected but only accepted it later on. Many continue searching for explanations and reasons to "prove" what they know in their hearts. Self-acceptance can be a very long and difficult road... but it's well worth the trip.

QuoteAnd what do I actually go thru to try to get the female hormones to transform myself into a woman.

Read up on the Harry Benjamin Standards Of Care. They pretty much dictate the process and how it all works. Basically, you'll first need to find a therapist qualified in treating gender issues. After three months of evaluation (minimum, could be much longer), if you're diagnosed as being transsexual (and not a gay man in denial, erotic crossdresser, etc.), they'll write you a letter recommending hormone therapy. You take that letter to an experienced doctor, and they'll prescribe you hormones and monitor their effects.

QuoteAnd how long do you suppose it will take to be a full woman?

Everyone defines that differently, but hormone effects generally begin to level off after 2-3 years (though changes DO keep happening forever).

QuoteAnd is it safe or do I run into risks?

You can die from HRT. Blood clots, embolisms, potassium poisoning, salt deficiency, renal problems, liver damage, kidney damage... it's dangerous, as we take dosages much higher than ordinary women do.

QuoteWill they feel the same as a biological females breasts?

They should. But many TSs report problems with proper development and fullness, so its hard to say.

The rule of thumb is you'll probably end up one cup size below your nearest relatives. But you never really know until you get there.

And again, Welcome!!!

Kate

Great! Thanks for all the advice.  The more I think about it, the more it feels good in my mine.  I really do think im a woman inside.  And being a woman would be the best thing to happen to me.

But, I was wondering. Can a transgendered person take the smaller doses that are normal to regular women so they dont run across those kidney problems and other problems? If so, would it just take longer to work? Or would it just not work at all since im not getting enough hormones? And what if I only did HRT for about 5 to 10 years and quit after that?  After 5 years would I look woman enough to pass off as a real woman, or does it take a lot longer then that?

Its not breast size that im mostly worried about.  I could just get small implants if I wanted.  I just want softer skin, feminine finger and toe nails, feminine hair, feminine face, feminine figure, and bigger hips.  Will all that come into effect and stay perminant if i stop after 2-10 years?

Hi ya,

There is lots and lots of information about HRT and other topics in the forums and wika, please just take you time to look around most of your questions have been awnsered there, If you carnt find what you want please feel free to ask. I Have just started theropy so cant awnser you questions but there are many here that can.

Take care and look after your self.

LUV LUCY

Hi and welcome to a really great place.  Only you can answer on who you are.  A good therapist can be great, but they will only help you know yourself.  Sounds like you already know who you are.  Don't worry too much about the face and things.  Hormones do amaizing things,  but yes they can really screw your body up and even kill if used improperly, thought that's pretty rare now a days.

Welcome and enjoy the experence.  Its not always easy (boy is that an understatement), But if you are TS it can be the best of times too.

Beni

Jerrod,

Welcome to a caring family and a wealth of information!  You will enjoy your time here, I'm sure.  And the folks here will be with you for your journey.  There are no easy answers, but this is a safe place to explore.

Welcome!

Kristi

Quote from: Kate on April 13, 2007, 11:35:36 AM
it's dangerous, as we take dosages much higher than ordinary women do.

Not necessarily true.  My doctor prescribes the same levels of estrogen to trans people as she does for menopausal genetic women.  Her specialty is GLBT medicine and she has treated many trans people here in the Twin Cities for many years.

Quote from: Tink on April 17, 2007, 10:38:52 PM
HRT without supervision is indeed very dangerous and potentially deadly, and no one should attempt to self-medicate or play doctor with them.tink

To right, be very carefull. Get a good doctor and you will be fine.

Quote from: Tink on April 17, 2007, 10:38:52 PM

Quote from: Lisbeth on April 17, 2007, 09:41:47 PM
Not necessarily true.  My doctor prescribes the same levels of estrogen to trans people as she does for menopausal genetic women.  Her specialty is GLBT medicine and she has treated many trans people here in the Twin Cities for many years.

Hmmmmm...strange!  same dosage?  I work in the pharmacy business and just to put it in simple words, TS women get ten times more estrogen than postmenopausal women. 

Yes, same dosage.  Seems to work just fine for me too.  We discussed this at our first appointment back in 2005.  Her experience is that the excess estrogen doesn't actually do any good as far as breast development goes, but it increases the risks of nasty things happening.  Every six months we do blood work to check my free estradiol level and adjust dosage to keep me in the normal female range.

Quote from: Lisbeth on April 18, 2007, 01:05:05 PM
Yes, same dosage.  Seems to work just fine for me too.  We discussed this at our first appointment back in 2005.  Her experience is that the excess estrogen doesn't actually do any good as far as breast development goes, but it increases the risks of nasty things happening.  Every six months we do blood work to check my free estradiol level and adjust dosage to keep me in the normal female range.

It's the first I've ever heard of such a low dose being effective, but it's VERY encouraging to hear... as my doc may be reducing my dosages soon if my liver enzymes don't calm down

~Kate~