The Confused And Hormones

[Guest waking87]

If I may repost something from my introduction thread:

My gender identity is probably one of the more bizzare ones, as it seems to change randomly like mood swings, and for the last ten years of my life I've shifted from ok with my masculinity to crossdresser to full-blown transsexual to maybe it's just a sexual thing to who the hell knows, rinse and repeat in random order. I haven't come out to anyone because (besides the fact that my mom is a closet homophobe) I don't know what I should be coming out AS. I don't want to go "I feel as though I should be a girl" to only come back a month later and go "yeah, that whole transgender thing, maybe I was wrong on that, I don't know."

Now, my question is, even though I haven't really managed to make up my mind on my gender issues, would it be wise to start taking hormones? As I understand it, just about every effect you get from hormones is reversible with the exception of breast growth, though surgery could take care of that (though I don't think I'd mind keeping them, to be honest). The general rule of thumb is that, the sooner you start hormones, the more effective they are, so it seems to me to make sense to start taking them as soon as possible for the best effect, and stop should I settle on not transitioning.

So, what are your thoughts?

[Guest Jo-I-Dunno]

See a gender specialist to help you sort out your feelings. You are whoever you are. If the person you are is inconsistent, then maybe you should consider becoming gender fluid. But what your describing sounds more like you don't really know yourself yet.

My feelings were constantly changing too (but I'm just 17 so I haven't been volleying as long as you). But I make new discoveries about myself every day, and I'm getting a more consistent, clear picture. I agree, a label does help other people understand who you are, but if you don't fit any labels, that doesn't make what you feel wrong in any way, just requires a little more explanation.

[Guest Pioneer]

Now, my question is, even though I haven't really managed to make up my mind on my gender issues, would it be wise to start taking hormones? As I understand it, just about every effect you get from hormones is reversible with the exception of breast growth, though surgery could take care of that (though I don't think I'd mind keeping them, to be honest). The general rule of thumb is that, the sooner you start hormones, the more effective they are, so it seems to me to make sense to start taking them as soon as possible for the best effect, and stop should I settle on not transitioning.

So, what are your thoughts?

The things that bother me about taking hormones is breasts growths (and other side effects) that is irreversible (as you have said though that it can be surgically removed but the thought of knife scares me).

I'd say give it a try since you have said you don't mind keeping them.