After many years I’m finally trying to move toward transitioning ,but there’s just so much to do that I don’t really know where or even how to start.

I fear that going directly into HRT without doing anything else before will just make things harder. That I should get laser or voice training first or I don’t know what else. I fear that doing it “wrong” will just make me feel awful and despite the mirror even more and push me back further into the “I don’t need it” thing.

I also have no idea of what is the current standard for HRT or what to expect and whenever I find myself thinking all of these I end up just not looking for doctors or more info.

Any help?

  • birdwing@lemmy.blahaj.zoneEnglish
    4·
    8 days ago

    There is no wrong or right order, nor do you have to do ‘everything’. Do what makes you most comfortable with your gender.

    Depending on your country, you may or may not need a diagnosis, or at least need access to DIY. That said, the few things I really would recommend:

    1. If you want the chance to have biological children of your own, then freeze your reproductive cells first. If you want to freeze after you’ve started HRT, you should get off HRT for a few months, which can give you menopausal symptoms, hence why: freeze before HRT.
    2. Start HRT after freezing; I would suggest you look at this list. Don’t take the doctor’s advice regarding dosing (they often give way too low doses), go instead for what transfem science says. Here, especially Table 5 is relevant.

    If you wish to reduce body hair, you can laser before or during HRT. In my case I did it before, since you need multiple sessions to laser it all away. I felt that the ‘intermediate’ period between starting and passing is then easier, since your skin is already smooth.

    For voice training, you can do that anytime. I started just before E, again to make the intermediate period easier.