This is my first time REALLY looking for information on where to start with my MTF transition. I have just turned 21 and from what I understand that is a little late for an ideal start at a transition but better than most.

The only thing really holding me back is my muscle mass and my wide shoulders. If I cannot alter my upper body then I do not want to transition. I would rather live life as a man if I cannot be passable as a woman.

I am on the swim team (which is why I have this large bulky upper body) in order to maintain priority registration so I can actually get a full schedule at school so I am kind of stuck where I am.

From what I have read hormones will take care of muscle mass to an extent but in my case I think it will hardly make a dent. Is there any sort of diet or medical procedure that can help me? Direction to the proper resource or thread would be greatly appreciated!!!

Hi and welcome from deepest darkest Tasmania.

Trust me, 21 is not old at all. I started HRT at 57 and it is working great.  As for your build, it would be  worth your while comparing yourself to female swimmers rather than the guys,  to get a better idea of likely changes. The changes to the face and fat redistribution are the main visual cues that people read.  If you have a defined waist and hips, then shoulders don't seem to count for much.  I am 6'2" in the old money, and have broad shoulders.  Everyone reads me as a femme dyke rather than trans, which is okay by me. 

Transition is a totally personal and subjective thing, so it is worth taking your time before making any decisions.  It sounds trite but a Gender Therapist is the best first step to work out what you need.  There are many stops along the transition journey, and you can spend however long as is needed at any of them.  You are in control of the whole process.

Karen.

I have definitely had some muscle loss, but I wasn't big to start with.  In my experience, it was definitely one of the slower effects of hormones/antiandrogens.   

Hi Amanduhh,

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Janet 

Hi Amanduhh ,

A big Aussie welcome to Susan's family. It's good of you to drop in and say "Hi". Hope you like it here, and you stay for a while.

There is a mountain of information, resources and friendship waiting for you here, you just need to jump in and start talking.

Karen has given you some very wise words of wisdom. Particularly about age. You are very young and should you decide on HRT, you will appreciate some outstanding changes.

Karen also mentioned a good gender therapist to kick things off with. The aspect about GID (Gender Identity Disorder) you need to be aware of is; it doesn't go away. You may be in control of your journey, but you are not in control of GID. Thus even if you think just because of your upper body dimensions not being feminine enough, that won't stop the desire to push on, regardless of how much you try to subvert it.

Looking forward to hearing more of your story in time to come, but in the meantime, be safe, well and happy.

Lotsa huggs
Catherine

Thanks for the welcomes everyone! So my first step is to seek a gender therapist correct? Any recommendations for one in southern California? Where would I go from there assuming the therapist decides I am in need of HRT??? Is there some special hormone doctor out there I need to find?

The very first thing I did was electrolysis, and I started therapy pretty soon after that.  I think it was after a year of therapy that I started on HRT. 

I would definitely seek out a doctor that does transgender HRT as a regular part of their practice.  I think that a doctor who is less familiar with treating trans patients is more likely to prescribe doses that are too low, or methods that are less efficient, and they will be more well-versed with the risks.  Remember, though, that approaches vary from doctor to doctor, so don't be afraid to shop around.  I think finding the right doctor can be a lot like dating...the first one isn't always the one.   

Hi Amandahh and welcome

Hiya!

Welcome to the site. You are plenty young. Some of us are 40 and I've seen more than a couple of 60 year olds so don't sweat it too much. We all work with what we have and move forward the best we can. Yes, muscle mass will likely change but everyone responds a wee bit differently. Take a look on some of the threads and you'll find before and after chats which may help amongst many others. We are here to help the best we can. I look forward to chatting on the boards.

Take care.

Hi Amanduhh, it's nice to meet you! I live up near Boston. Just to be clear, when it comes to age,  we lie like rugs! See you around the site, hugs, Devlyn