how to begin the process of transition?

[Guest eddieC123]

I am a 14 year old ftm, almost 15 and I live in the united states. I am trying to figure out the first steps I must take to be able to start hormone replacement therapy, how do I go about finding a therapist who specializes in gender? And from there would they be the ones to refer me to an endo? I dont know of any transgender support groups around my area or of anyone my age thats near me to help me figure out how to start the process. Also when I finally do begin the process of taking testosterone how soon will the changes usually take place? The only person ive had to go by is a friend who is my age who lives out of state. He had been on t for a week now and he said his facial hair is coming in already and when we talk his voice sounds different already too. Is that something that most people can expect with in the first week? He said they started him on a low dose and that he was really sensitive to it but does that mean that i wouldn't notice the effects in such a short time if i wasn't? Please give me your input, also ive been out to my mom for a year now and have dressed like a boy for that length of time as well.

[Drea]

Facial hair within a week seems...improbable. While nobody is allowed to post anything isn't true on the internet, perhaps there is more wishful thinking than reality there.

Anyways. You seem to have it basically right which is see a therapist, therapist will give referral letter. You might have to find an endo on your own or your therapist may know one.

There is a therapist list here on this site:

http://lauras-playground.com/gender_therapists.htm

This dowen't necessarily have all, but it is a good start.

Usually for someone your age the first problem would be dealing with your parents. Have you already told them and are they willing. If not, such a decision to tell should be done with caution and I personally don't recommend comming out to parents about the gender issue directly. I can offer some suggestions if you haven't done that about how to approach it. If you have already crossed that bridge then the next step would be the therapist.

One thing you need to keep in mind is that many docs/therapist are reluctant to perscribe hormones to minors. So even with a therapist, there may be additional challenges.

Good luck.

[Guest aleon515]

It sounds like your mom may be supportive, which is great for you. I looked at state flags but couldn't figure out which one you had. Laura's forum has a list (which is not at all complete!) of various support groups, gender therapists, doctors, and services in the resource center. If there is a local chapter of PFLAG you might find it helpful. A web search to find a local transgender center (don't know if one exists in your area) might be helpful.

I think your young friend is exaggerating his changes on T. Facial hair is usually not one of the first changes, but the voice often changes fairly quickly.

--Jay J

[Carolyn Marie]

Welcome to the Playground, Eddie. You will learn a lot from being here, I promise you.

Drea's advice is very sound. It is true that very few doctors will prescribe hormones to anyone under 18, and 14 is even more rare. There is one doctor in Los Angeles that sometimes will prescribe HRT for someone around 16. More often, they may start you on hormone blockers, which prevents puberty and keeps you from developing breasts or other secondary sexual characteristics. The changes can be reversed, which is why doctors are more likely to go that route.

Please look around the Forums and post in any that interest you. We do ask all our new members to please read the site Terms and Conditions first, so you know where the boundary lines are. After five posts, you will have access to all the site features, such as member profiles and the private message (PM) system).

HUGS

Carolyn Marie

[Guest eddieC123]

Hi everyone, thank you for your reply's. I am in Florida so im going to look at the link and see if i can find a therapist around my area does anyone know of laws in Florida that might not allow me to make this step right now due to my age even with parental permission? I am almost 15 years old and i will be next month but i know thats still not an adult in the eyes of the law so if i do have to wait till im 18 years old thats just something ill have to do. Yes in a way 3 years seems like a long time but i will wait as long as it takes because i want to do this right and to be safe about it. I have tried to read up online about taking testosterone and what it will do, and i think my friend may have exaggerated too because i couldn't find anywhere about facial hair coming in that soon either and granted i know not every thing on the internet is true so im guessing it may have been exaggerated. Is there any more anyone can add to this, maybe about of there is a minimum amount of therapy that would qualify you to see an Endo? I am sure it differs between people as well. Also in the state of fl at least would you have had to live as the gender you are transitioning to for more then a years period? If anyone can give me the specifics for laws regarding transitioning in the state of fl especially as a minor it would be greatly appreciated

[Carolyn Marie]

I don't think there are any laws about medical treatment for transition, Eddie. I think it depends on what the medical establishment feels is best, based on the safety of the patient. For several reasons, most stated above, very few doctors will prescribe hormones for patients under 18. But as I said earlier, hormone blockers would also do you quite well, and those are more readily prescribed for young teens.

As for therapy, the time required really depends on the individual therapist. The Standards of Care no longer even require therapy, but it is highly recommended. There are doctors who frequently treat trans patients and who operate under an "informed consent" model. They don't require therapy at all. But I would be surprised if even those doctors would offer hormones or blockers to a teen without some therapy happening first.

HUGS

Carolyn Marie

[Guest eddieC123]

Thank you for your reply I will try to at least find a therapist to see what my options are even if I can't start taking testosterone at this very moment. I personally think if I could find a therapist who is lgbt friendly that even having someone to talk to about not only transitioning but about different things that I find challenging still would be good for me as well. I am very grateful for everyone's responses on here and how kind everyone has been to me regarding my questions and so forth I will talk to my mom about helping me find a good therapist around my area and see also if they would be covered under my insurance, I have heard alot of insurance companies wont pay for the actual prescription of testosterone and for the Endo visits because ive heard alot of them consider this more of a vanity purpose rather then something that is needed but that may not be the case anymore or also depending on what coverage you actually have. I have tried to find even transgender originations or things like pflag that were close by but ive been having trouble finding it while using the internet searches but I may be wording it wrong or using too many words all together when it would only need a shortened version to find the information. I plan to talk to my mom about finding a lgbt friendly therapist to begin with and see where that takes me if anyone else has anything they can add that may be beneficial information, please let me know. Thanks

[Guest aleon515]

I don't know if you are too old for puberty blockers but it is an option you might be able to look into. The blockers don't give you T but they block the effects of estrogen. Raging Shadow might know about this. He reads this forum and was on them as a teen, I think. The only thing unless your family has super good insurance, they are really pricey. These are best perscribed by an MD..

My body doesn't make estrogen now so I know how happy not having it makes me.

--Jay J