Hormones for transgender teen?

Question

I'm only 14 years old, but I want to start taking estrogen and antiandrogens now. I can't get 2-3 years of councelling, I do not have enough time. I am at my peak right now, and look very female. If I start changing now, I will never be mistaken for a male. My voice has not deepened much and I can still disguise it to sound exactly like a female's voice. I have to start taking hormones now. Can I see a physician and get a prescription without a therapist's permission, or should I just order them online and get some recommendations.

I am sure I am transgender. When I was young I always dressed up as a girl, and when I was 10 I told my mom that I want to be a girl. I don't know why that wasn't a sign that I wasn't different to her, but now I want to start changing. Please help.

Answer 1

You should be able to get on an androgen blocker very quickly through a doctor or a therapist that can write prescriptions. That will hold back that male puberty and allow you to have time to your hands on estrogen. At 14, according to the standards of care, you're not supposed to start estrogen. You can start "anti androgens" (testosterone blockers) sooner though, right at the onset of that male puberty. You may be able to get a therapist to let you start hormones next year at 15 maybe, but worst case is you'll be a "late bloomer."

Step 1: See a therapist/doctor and get on a testosterone blocker.
Step 2: See a counselor and get their permission to start hormones whenever you can get their approval. (For me it only took 3 therapy sessions before I had my therapist's approval, but I was 20 at the time.)
Step 3: Start estrogen as soon as you can.
*You will need a parent's permission to do any of this in most countries at your age.*

Answer 2

I seriously discourage you from getting your hormones from a non-official source, just because bad things can happen that way. You can try to see a physician to get a prescription- that's the second best route- but I doubt they'll give it to you without the requisite therapy and official permission. I know it's not fair, but believe me when I say that their hearts really are in the right place- they want to make sure this is something you really want to do. Even though you know it, they are worried you might be confused.

Mostly, I think you should start the therapy right away- as in right now, to sooner get to the good stuff. There are individuals who decide to change their gender when they're 20, 30, 50, even as old as 70 that I've heard of, and quite a few, when all's said and done, blend in seamlessly and pass wonderfully. I know it feels like you're becoming more masculine every day and it scares you, but honestly, transitioning under 20 will certainly ensure you a lot of femininity- it's amazing what hormones can do.

I hope that helps. Just don't do anything dangerous; hold out a little longer.

Answer 3

First and most important, see a counseller. Are you sure you really should be female? It's surprising just how many people undergo full hormone therapy and surgery and then realise it was all a mistake. I'm quite unusual amongst Transexuals in the UK, in that I've had all my treatment and am now quite successful. This isn't usually the case ( I have my own thoughts as to why! ).

Please don't go trying to buy hormones on line or without a prescription. Synthetic hormones have added risks, and regular blood tests are needed. Some of the risks include liver failure and DVT. Youy need to be monitored by your doctor or an endocrinologist.

Answer 4

Have you talked to a therapist yet? I would begin researching different therapists and doctors in your area that are hormone prescription and trans friendly. Also, a good place to ask these questions are in online groups dedicated to trans issues. MySpace has quite a few of them, you could do a search, also, Yahoo groups have several specifically trans support groups. Just get on groups.yahoo.com and do a search, or use a search engine such as yahoo.com or google.com and type in "trans support and resources for (and type in your area or state)"

Also, I would avoid buying random hormones. I hope you realize that are several types of estrogen and they can have different affects on your health, some can be very bad, I know this because my partner has been researching different types of hormones, mainly estrogens. actually, ze has a very good post about different types of estrogen in zir blog, i'll post it as the third link below, the blog entry is titled "hormones shmormones"

As far as the emotional support side of things, you are more than welcome to check out Gender Schmender, an online gender education community, or our partner site Intersexes, for an intersex education community. Links below

My thoughts are with you!

-Gabriel

PS Cando 86 has posted some insightful advice. I wouldn't just breeze past it on your way through the posts ^_~ and feel free to disregard what georgeewe said, because georgeewe is apparently a sheeple to the discoursive framework certain societies subscribe to that no longer have the capacity to see beyond the illusion of binary sex and genders...

And you're not a boy, unless you choose to identify as one, the same with being a girl, or any other gender(s), or even nongendered. You, are the only author of your identity. We are humans first, above all other labels any other person could put onto us, we are valid as human, and that is important, the rest, is all subjective opinion ^_~

Answer 5

From what I hear, doctors won't usually do major things like feminization surgeries if you're under 18, but they WILL often agree to "prolong puberty" with hormones until you're legally old enough to decide where you want things to go.

I agree with the people above who are saying to see a councellor and get a prescription for hormones. Be persistent! There are certain risks associated with hormones, but overall, they can save you a lot of pain (and $$$) if you decide to transition later. If you take the hormones now, and decide to transition when you're 18, you won't have to get all that expensive electrolysis and voice training, and you'll have a more convincingly feminine body. If you take the hormones now and decide NOT to transition later, you can stop taking them and just go through puberty a little later than everyone else.

I repeat, it's not risk-free! Taking estrogen increases your risk of getting blood clots and breast cancer (among other things). The surgeries you'll eventually have to get as a transsexual have some nasty risks associated with them, too. Then again, if you don't go for it, you'll have to pretend to be a guy for your entire life and that in itself might be unbearably painful. For you, which path would be worse?

Before you talk to your parents about it, do lots of research and make SURE you understand all the risks that are involved - Ma and Pa going to have a lot of questions and you've got to be sure of yourself if you're going to get things rolling! Good luck! I'm rooting for you!

Answer 6

There is nothing wrong with being a feminine male. Counceling helps make the picture clear. It sounds like your confused as to what role you should play in society. It is probably hard dealing with your confusion at your age. Changing your gender is almost too easy. Take the high road and find your role in the play that is life.

Answer 7

See a physician. If that one discourages you, see a different one. Eventually you'll find someone who will write the prescription for you.

You should start seeing a therapist, though. If you see a therapist and the therapist understands that you are ready, it may be easier to get a referral to a doctor who will write a prescription.

Answer 8

Find a transgender group for youth they might help you out,find a transsexual friendly Doc you can talk with about how you feel.
don`t just by Harmon's by yourself. it is good to find out about your sexuality from a young age ,so you can understand and do the changes fast .
it takes a life time for some people to find there identity. remember that Harmon's and surgery is not the only way to be female ,it is all about how you feel in your mind .
check the link below , i will be happy to answer any other questions you have ,good luck.
www.tghope.com

Answer 9

you won't find a doctor to do this for you in the us till you're at least 18 with lots of therapy. start now and maybe you can get it closer to 18. your body won't react well to all the stuff it has to go through. it's too busy dealing with your own hormone production. that whole urgency thing and it just can't wait and no one understands me is your hormones at work. maybe in asia or some 3rd world country, but you could also be killed.

Answer 10

You really need to see a therapist. Do not waste your money on the stuff from the internet, many would not work, some could be harmful to you. The therapist can work with you and then recommend a dr.