How do I know if HRT will work?

Question

I'm a transgender girl (turning 18 on July 21st) and I'm very curious about Hormone Replacement Therapy, along with a few other things like;
Facial Feminization Surgery
Electrolysis
Tracheal Shaving
and other none related things, such as rhinoplasty.
I understand this is a lot, but it's all what I truly want and desire so please, don't bother questioning my commitment. Anywho...
I understand hrt works wonders for most people, especially ones who start out at my age or even younger, BUT.
There are two main things I'm concerned about:
1. I'm 6 feet tall, and my body is pretty masculine, but skinny. Can years on hrt really change that?
Will I have feminine hips? thighs? what about my shoulders' broadness? And lastly, my cheekbones are a bit flat, will the fat re-distribution change that any?
and
2. I'm aware that I have to see a doctor or gender therapist to get a recommendation to an endocrinologist (If that's how you spell it) but the whole idea of "proving" to someone that I feel like a girl on the inside seems a bit ridiculous. I am not a four year old playing with my mother's make up, I'm practically an adult. I know who I am, so is there still a chance that I won't even be able to start hrt if this therapist doesn't "believe" me?
Thank you for reading, and thanks in advance for answering.
Much love <3

Answer 1

Hi, I am a 16 year old trans* man, so I understand how you feel. It is pretty bad here in Australia, if you are under 18 you have to get a court order for puberty blockers or HRT, and I fully get the whole proof thing.



I know a 17 year old trans* woman who is 6 ft tall. I also know that 6 ft and skinny is a common build for models. I know being really tall can make it harder to pass, but it isn't the end of the world, and could really work in your favour when you have been on hormones for a while and look more feminine. Your bones won't change. It is awful. I wish I could give you my horrendously wide hips, and have yours but the world doesn't work like that unfortunately. Also, if there is any possibility of you getting taller, estrogen will stop that happening, although unfortunately it doesn't change your stature unless you take it during your first puberty.



Your body will, however, get much more feminine. Your bones won't change but you will start storing fat on your hips, you will develop breasts to some degree, and your shoulders will get less broad (again, within the restraints of your bone structure). You will lose a lot of muscle definition, and some mass as well, which will make you look more feminine and fat redistribution will also contribute a lot to the feminization of your face (yes your cheeks will become fuller and your features appear less angular).



You may or may not end up needing the tracheal shaving, the FFS, or the rhinoplasty, but you have to wait at least 2 years or so after starting hormones to tell if you really need it.



Hormones will reduce your amount of hair, however, depending on how hairy you are now, you will probably still need some amount of electrolysis. Probably the most important things besides hormones for passing, are your voice and hair. These are also things that can be addressed relatively early on. Start saving money for electrolysis if you don't have much, as it can be expensive. Also, depending on how much money you have / your personal preferences, there are some different things you can do about your voice. You can look on the internet for videos about "mtf voice training" and there are heaps of resources and videos on that there. If you have more cash, a better way is to see a voice coach, and they will help you. There is surgery for raising the pitch of your voice, but opinions are very divided on that.



I know waiting and proving your identity sucks, but it is well worth it because the earlier you start hormones the more effective the treatment is.



Good luck

Answer 2

I don't know where you are, but in the US there are some clinics that will provide HRT on the informed consent model, without a therapy letter. You don't have to do therapy. Chicago's Howard Brown is one place I'm sure does the informed consent model; I've also heard of a place in california.



HRT is not going to make you shorter. It may pull in your shoulders some. You will get more feminine hips, although I can't say by how much. Thighs ditto. Your shoulders might or might not change, and your facial appearance will change and continue to change slowly.



I did not have trouble getting a therapist to believe that I was trans. I did have trouble getting a therapist who believed I was stable and sane enough for HRT to be "safe". I got three rejections before I got my hormone letter. That was six years ago, and there were a lot fewer places going on informed consent back then.

Answer 3

I made the male to female transition in the 1980s and have been post-op since 1987.



Clones, as always, has given you a great answer.



Hormone therapy will make some very dramatic changes in your appearance. After a year on estrogen my ex-wife walked past me in a restaurant with no recognition. There is an element of genetics involved and they will not change your bone structure. They will redistribute fat deposits on your face, softening and feminizing your appearance greatly. I transitioned at age 40. You are 18 and still maturing physically so you should have good results.



Hips, thighs, waist, not too much change there. Some fat redepositing but don't expect miracles. You will be amazed at how much difference a choice of clothing can do to disguise that. Remember, EVERY woman has "figure flaws" and there is a vast amount of advice on the net on disguising your waist and making your hips look more full.



Shoulders will shrink a little as you lose muscle mass. Smaller and weaker muscles are a part of the way estrogen works.



Your nose and trachea can be corrected surgically. If you have much facial hair that will have to go. Electrolysis or laser or a combination will do it.



If you are here in the US there is a list of qualified therapists at DrBecky.com/therapists.html. I say "qualified" because not all have the training needed in our specific issues. The therapist is your entrance door to all the steps of transition. She will refer you to a physician for hormones if it is right for you, will know trans-friendly businesses (electrolysis and hair salons) as well as give you other helpful advice.



Good luck in your transition. I hope that you have a smooth one and that you are happier in your new life.

Answer 4

1. HRT won't alter the broadness of your shoulders I'm afraid. Fat redistribution will cause you cheeks and hips and thighs to become more feminine and your facial features do very gradually change to become more female so don't worry about that.



2. If you are truly transsexual your Gender Therapist will believe you, these are trained professionals but having to prove you are a girl to this person is not stupid, Gender Identity Dysphoria is a medical condition, it needs to be diagnosed otherwise anyone with the slightest confusion over their gender could get a sex change which can just cause more mental distress. So it isn't stupid. But on the unlikely case your gender therapist doesn't believe you get a second opinion from another gender therapist but if you are truly trans the gender therapist should believe you are trans.