Hormones : age

[Seki]

Hello!

I am AFAB, 15 y. o., and my parents are.... Well, if I came out to them, they'll laugh at me(my father will be more kind, maybe?) they won't trust me, so coming out now is useless. Without their consent, I won't be able to take hormones at a low level or anything, but can I take them when I'll be 18 or more? My body is, huh, very feminine >.<

Thanks in advance! 

[Deleted]

I think thats country specific?

I dunno...

[Seki]

Sorry, I meant, can I take hormones even if my body is adult? Or does that won't work/work less efficiently? 

[Deleted]

Yes dear you certainly can. I started mine at 55.

[Deleted]

Any ftm bodied folk wanna weigh in?

[Ayla]

Aug 12, 2015 7:02:21 GMT 8 Seki said:

Sorry, I meant, can I take hormones even if my body is adult? Or does that won't work/work less efficiently? 

Hormones are more effective when taken pre adult as this will impact bone growth etc.  In Oz and in many other countries adolescent trans folk receive blockers to delay puberty until they are deemed old enough to confirm their gender identity and intent.

Having said this, most trans folk take hormones as an adult.  As a rule of thumb, the younger you are the better, but ymmv (your mileage may vary).  Many have had great results even when starting quite late but genetics etc all play a part

Finding a good endocrinologist is important, arguably it is just as important as finding a good gender therapist.  Hormones are powerful chemicals, avoid the temptation to self medicate as you may be playing with fire!

There are a number of relevant links in the trans sub forum on this site

safe travels

Aisla

[EchelonHunt]

I started hormones at 21 and am more than satisfied with the results.

But figuring out your gender identity (or lack there of) and what kind of body that would be congruent with your self-image/how you see yourself would be crucial before thinking or starting any HRT.

[Seki]

Thanks a lot for your advices! I'll try to know my gender (or lack of) more specifically It's gonna be in a looong time , then I'll try to talk to my parents... I'll have to come out anyway...

[EchelonHunt]

Sometimes you won't even get it right the first time and that's okay! I originally identified as a transman but discovred I never truly identified or felt close to what is male nor female. The word that describes me is genderless but FTM in the physical transition aspect as I know my physical body has to be androgynous male.

That non-binary discovery came after I had a relationship with someone who wanted me to be a stereotypical, sexist cis-guy, something I could never ever be. It was eye-opening and I actually am thankful that I experienced that pressure because it forced me to question the male identity that I had clung to for so long.

I originally believed that if I disliked being a woman that the only other option (apart from suicide as I wanted to live) was to be a man. I realized that it is possible to exist between the two or outside the gender binary altogether. It has made it possible to truly love and embrace myself for the first time.

[Seki]

Gender identities are quite easy to understand but the very concept of gender is blurry for me... I guess I'll understand better when growing up...

[Ativan Prescribed]

You'll understand better as you are growing up.
If you think a hormone decision should be put off until you are sure of what you want to do, then puberty blockers might be the way to go.
It's never to early to discuss it with your parents, but that's something you're going to have to patient with as well.
If you come to a conclusion about hormones and are sure of what you want, even taking them, then before you're 18 might be the way to go.
Everyone is different, and that's a good starting point with your parents, to let them know you have feelings about your gender that seem different.
Let them in on your journey if possible. They could turn out to be your best advocates.
But they are sometimes the hardest people to convince, they know you as they have for 15 years, so changing some of their expectations might be difficult.
By letting them know in a non-confrontational way, you'll know better where they stand on it.

[Seki]

Thank you very much for your advices, Ativan, I'll try to tell them in the next months... Hormone blockers could be a good deal, since my parent won't see their"pretty, so feminine" little girl go away...