You might be uncomfortable dressing in the clothes that are typically associated with the gender you were assigned at birth. You may feel drawn to spend time with people who are the gender you identify with rather than the one you were assigned at birth. You may feel like you don’t identify with the gender binary and would prefer to identify as neither a man nor a woman (non-binary, gender-queer, or xenogender). You might feel like the gender you were assigned at birth sometimes, but also identify with other genders as well (gender-fluid).
It’s possible that you were assigned male at birth, but want to wear more feminine clothing and be seen as a woman in public. You may be interested in hiding or accentuating different body parts depending on your true gender identity. For example, you might be curious about using a binder to hide your breasts. You might want to reject the concept of binary gender and be referred to by they/them pronouns or neopronouns like ze/hir or xe/xem.
Gender dysphoria can also manifest in the form of anxiety, depression, self-harming behaviors, eating disorders, substance abuse, and suicidal ideation. If you’re experiencing symptoms like this, consider seeing a gender therapist. They can give you the tools and resources you need to work through these tough feelings. To find a therapist, search online or get a referral from your doctor. If you don’t have access to a therapist right now, try resources online like https://translifeline. org/ or https://www. thetrevorproject. org/. These organizations offer free 24-hour hotlines, anonymous peer support, and information on finding a counselor. Not every trans person experiences gender dysphoria. It’s also completely normal to know that you don’t identify with the gender you were assigned at birth, but feel comfortable and happy with your body the way it is right now.
You might say, “I want to let you know something important about my identity. Although I was assigned male at birth, I’m actually a woman. I’m still me, but I want to start living as my authentic gender identity. I’d be happy to talk more about this if you have any questions. " If you don’t feel safe coming out to your family and friends right now, it’s totally okay to wait. Coming out is a very personal decision, and when you decide to do it is entirely up to you. Wait to come out until you feel safe, secure, and supported. Consider connecting with a trans community, either in-person or online, if you’re not able to come out right now. Try organizations like https://translifeline. org/, https://www. thetrevorproject. org/, or https://thesafezoneproject. com/. You can also connect with the trans community online using message boards like https://www. transgenderpulse. com/forums/ and https://tgforum. com/.
It’s okay if you’re still experimenting with what pronouns work for you. Part of the social transitioning process is exploring your gender identity in public, so it’s totally fine if you still have questions or are not 100% sure about your identity just yet. If you find that you’re often being misgendered at work or school, see if you have any allies that can help correct those people so that you don’t always have to. A supportive friend or colleague would be happy to help. You might say, “I’ve been having a tough time getting people to use my pronouns. Next time you hear someone refer to me as a woman, do you think you could correct them?”
If you work, you might consider telling HR about your name change so that they can change your name on things like name tags, your workplace email, and workplace documents. You might be in school when you change your name. When you’re ready, tell all of your professors or teachers and the administrative office so that they can change your name on things like your school email, assignments, and other documents. The process to legally change your name varies depending on what state you live in. Most require you to fill out a name change form and submit a decree to change your name. You might also be required to pay a fee. [9] X Research source
Binding refers to using a tight chest wrap to hide your breasts underneath your clothes. Tucking is the process of hiding your testicles in the inguinal canal and keeping them in place with form-fitting underwear or a gaff (underwear designed for tucking). Packing involves using any type of prosthetic, packing pouch, or clothing item to give yourself a bulge in your pants.
If you’re not sure that you want to transition medically, know that that’s totally normal and okay. You don’t have to change anything about your body for your gender identity to be valid, and many trans people opt out of transitioning medically for their own personal reasons. A trans-friendly therapist will likely be happy to provide a letter of recommendation or a mental health assessment; however, If you’re also experiencing severe mental health problems, like psychosis or mania, they may decide to treat those first. If you’re under 18, you’ll also need parental consent. Though it’s difficult to be approved for HRT without this, you do have options. If it’s serious that you start your medical transition now and your parents won’t approve, you might consider emancipation to legally make your own medical decisions. Conditions like hormone-sensitive cancer (i. e. prostate cancer) or deep vein thrombosis might make going on HRT more risky for your health. A doctor can work with you to come up with the hormone therapy plan that’s right for you. [13] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source
Talk to a doctor about your options if you have underlying health conditions that might affect your ability to transition. Understand the risks of medically transitioning without a medical professional. Transitioning without a doctor (i. e. using hormones you received through non-medical sources) might cause serious problems like blood clots, high blood pressure, and liver damage. [14] X Trustworthy Source University of Rochester Medical Center Leading academic medical center in the U. S. focused on clinical care and research Go to source If you identify as trans but are happy with the way your body is right now, that is 100% normal and valid.
If you’re a trans woman, you might consider procedures like a breast augmentation, orchiectomy (removal of the testicles), a vaginoplasty (vaginal reconstructive surgery), or facial feminization surgery. A trans man might think about undergoing a hysterectomy (removal of the uterus, cervix, and sometimes the fallopian tubes), de-feminizing breast reconstructive surgery (removal of the breasts), or facial masculinization surgery. Genderqueer, non-binary, or gender-fluid individuals might consider a combination of these surgeries to help their body match their true gender expression.
