Transgenderism: How Far Have You Gone?

[Night_Jasmine]

I think it mostly depends on certain things. I can't say about hormones strong enough that you're talking about but there were concerns when the patch first came out for birth control. If you're like me, sensitive skinned, you might end up dealing with skin irritation. Then there's the fact that if it's weekly or monthly, forgetting about replacing it.

 

[temp256]

I have pills, but my doctor says he wants to switch me to injections. He says it's easier to regulate, because you know exactly how much is in the bloodstream. The liver absorbs most of the ingested hormones, so you never know just how much you get. It's also harder on the liver that way.

Then again I had one doctor say she prefers the pills just because it's easier. She only used the others if there was a liver concern.

 

[txboyalone]

Serious decission

Be careful that the Doc isn't recommending what is best for his practice. The side effects on you liver are important, because as you age more and more medications take a toll on the liver. Just be carefully and enjoy your body

 

[QueenPentacles]

Hmmm not sure which way to go on this one. I've been primarily on oral doses through out my transition (snickering but then again I've always been an oral type of gal). There was a period that I was without medical coverage, left my job and went back 6 months later, and friends "helped" me out by giving me patches. I found that the patches did not deliver enough estrogen to my system, at least not to the same level the oral did, and I found myself crashing emotionally. (Which is primarily why I went back to my job.)

Perhaps if I had started on patches this would have been different? Perhaps after surgery when the levels of estrogen in your system don't need to be so high because they are not fighting the testosterone making factory patches would be a good option? Honestly I don't know on this one?

I've never had injections so I really can't offer an opinion on those. I would recommmend anyone starting hormones read up on what ever type they are starting. Look up the side effects and temper your joy of the changes you see in your body with the reality that there are potential medical hazardous you might be facing. Be your own watch dog, and if you start to think you are exeriencing adverse side effects, talk them over with your Doctor immediately. I didn't, and my depression over being trapped in a body that was untrue to my nature overwhelmed me over time. I ended up in the psych-ward having mood stabilizers and anti depression meds shoved down my throat when in truth what I needed was getting my hormone doses adjusted and some extra time on my therapist's couch... that's a whole other issue which I'll go into in a second. So I guess my best advice is which ever way you decide to get your hormones, be aware of what they could do to you, be honest with your self, don't let the joy of your physical changes shadow potential dangers.

Okay, therapists... I've bounced around from therapist to therapist looking for the one I could open up to, looking for the one that I could tell everything to. I still haven't found her/him yet. I don't recommend this. I've a lot of emotional issues, a lot of things I've kept locked up for years. Find someone you can talk with, be honest with, get everything out with. Don't give them the pat standard answers right from the medical dictionary. It doesn't serve you in the long run... just something I've learned from turning around and looking back at my life - hind sight is 20/20 and brutally honest.

Queen of Pentacles

 

[Gi_Venus]

Everyone:

How far have you gone toward fulfilling your female identity?

In the physical world, because of my fear and low self esteem.. My therapist is working on that with me. I still live as a male....I am myself mentally, in otherwords I project my inner female self to the world, I just do not look it normally. I have been on hormones for one year two months....I am slow to change probably because of my age. When I stand naked in front of a mirror, a woman is there.

Do you plan on going further? Why or why not?

Yes, somehow, I would make the full transformation to female, money is an issue as it is with all my "sisters" I did not like being male....it was a bane to my spirit....I guess I felt like I was violating my true self...which I did not know at the time only that I was lost. If I cannot fully transform I do not want to go back to being a male.

What aspects — physical, mental or both — of being a female attracts you the most?

Smile, I have always considered the female form to be one of beauty that I would be such is a delight to me. Mentally I feel a sense of freedom, in my male role I was always awkward, senstive to the reactions of others to my maleness, many women fear men, or fear inappropriate behavior from men. Because of this I never felt free to be demonstrative of my affections....I really love people in general. So as a female I feel free to be more affectionate, and more nurturing to others around me. I am happy not to be feared because I am harmless, shy and basically a good person. I get upset when people project onto me their distortions. I am happier now. I can love, cry, and live with true heart.
Laughing....however I am moody as hell.

The most I've done when expressing my female side is fairly pedestrian in nature: Worn my hair long, applied lipstick and used lip enhancers, patted on foundation, removed/trimmed areas of body hair, worn long, red acrylic nails and, on occasion, enjoyed a long, slender, all-white "woman's" cigarette — usually a Capri 120 Menthol.

So, how about you?

I am itching to express myself more in this regard, I am limited by the expectations of others....ergo..my conservative family. So I am slowly changing....to their eyes. I am inexperienced with make up....but am learning.
I am afraid of expressing myself as a female and this makes me sad. The reality is there will be reprecussions. My therapist is encouraging me to be more of myself, that the physical form is not the important factor of being my feminine self.
Basically that the expression of self can be subtle and does not have to be in the guise of dress, make up, behavior and form. Sigh!......For now I will be "odd"

Gianna

 

[SolariWriter]

Gi Venus:

I, too, live in a relatively socially conservative area — although that wasn't always the case. It was once a more "live and let live" mentality likeso in some of the Rocky Mountain and other Western states.

I wish you the best of fortune in achieving your wishes.

SolariWriter

 

[Gi_Venus]

Gi Venus:

I, too, live in a relatively socially conservative area — although that wasn't always the case. It was once a more "live and let live" mentality likeso in some of the Rocky Mountain and other Western states.

I wish you the best of fortune in achieving your wishes.

SolariWriter

Smile....thank you SolariWriter. it is inside me, it is inside of all of us, no one can take that away.

 

[Tymeless]

starting hormones at the end of the month.

 

[SolariWriter]

starting hormones at the end of the month.

Congratulations. I imagine that by this time next year, your physical appearance will have a decidely more feminine appearance to it. What changes are you most looking forward to? Why?

Heh. Curious minds want to know!

SolariWriter

 

[Tymeless]

well for one i'm looking for a decrease in my sex drive. the loss of body hair. the smoother skin. the no longer having to worry bout male pattern baldness. oh did i mention the boobs and ass?

the side effects of mood swings and no longer being fertile are about the only things i'm not looking forward to.

 

[SolariWriter]

well for one i'm looking for a decrease in my sex drive. the loss of body hair. the smoother skin. the no longer having to worry bout male pattern baldness. oh did i mention the boobs and ass?

the side effects of mood swings and no longer being fertile are about the only things i'm not looking forward to.

The day you begin your transformation is drawing closer! I can imagine that your anticipation must be building ... that said, how long does it take before physical differences appear? At least three to four months, correct?

SolariWriter

 

[Tymeless]

The day you begin your transformation is drawing closer! I can imagine that your anticipation must be building ... that said, how long does it take before physical differences appear? At least three to four months, correct?

SolariWriter

to the person on hormones the effects are noticed around 6 weeks if not sooner to the outside work yeah probably 3-4 months at the quickest before anything is noticeable!

 

[SolariWriter]

Tymeless:

I just saw your other thread, the one where you're going to be posting about your progress over the next "x" number of months. It'll be interesting to see how your male frame begins changing.

Best of luck with the transformation. And, FWIW, I'll check in on occasion, too. RL responsibilities can be such a bear sometimes!

Yours in writing,

SolariWriter

 

[Gi_Venus]

The day you begin your transformation is drawing closer! I can imagine that your anticipation must be building ... that said, how long does it take before physical differences appear? At least three to four months, correct?

SolariWriter

Changes in the frame take the longest. Some effects take place almost immediately.
Skin gets thinner and dryer quickly, breast developement starts quickly, depends on genetics(you can count on being a little smaller than your mother or sisters), strength of estrogen doses and depends on the individual. Fat shifts to areas of the buttocks and thighs three quarters to a year and half....once again according to individual. One thing to remember is that sexual maturation takes many years in natural born women and it takes a long time for the transgendered too. Most major changes happen in the first 18 to 24 months.
Gianna

 

[SolariWriter]

Gi_Venus:

Heh. All I can say is, I'll probably never go through with the process.

More power to those who do, but I don't think I even qualify as transgender. Why? Because, frankly, I'd be comfortable as either male or female. There's no "drive," no "I must do this to become fulfilled" on my part and, from what I understand, that's one of the qualifiers for transgender status.

I'll be content to roleplay on occasion and leave it at that, because it enriches my writing (or so I hope). Here's to hoping everything turns out fine for those who pursue their dreams.

SolariWriter

 

[stlpenguin]

Honest question here :

Are we simply referring to those who are gender dysphoric, and wish to (regardless of how they might act on it) make a transition from one gender to the other? Or are any of the trans community welcome in this discussion?

The reason I ask, really, is that I lurk on these boards ALL the time - I feel like I know a lot of you well enough, and I apologize for not chiming in far more than I do to allow you the same advantage. I'm a beginning crossdresser, myself, and I've been reading these boards to get a feel for the community I've recently become a part of. I feel amazingly welcome here - and thank you all for that - but I don't post often because I'm usually doing the learning, rather than the sharing of experience.

But, in reading the original post of this thread WAY back on page 1, it seemed the OP had little interest in transitioning. Much like myself, they seemed to acknowledge a male side and a female side to their personality, and certain triggers - or just their mood at the time - can make them feel more masculine or effeminate.

Personally, I would LOVE to be a woman. Personally, I just don't enjoy being a man. There's really nothing very redeeming about masculinity in my opinion, as it only tends to make people aggressive, narrow-minded, and thoughtless. Women are gentle, caring, soft, beautiful... need I go on? I enjoy my crossdressing for these reasons, as it puts me squarely into my female persona. As both my wife and my Domme would attest to, being dressed as a woman causes a drastic personality change in me, down to my involuntary reactions.

However, for as much as I ENJOY my female persona, I don't truly feel that "nature has made a mistake" or that "I'm really a woman on the inside," or any such assertion. I was made a man. I know and accept I am a man, and I still have masculine feelings. I have no great wish (past innocent fantasy) to become a woman physically.

So, my question is this : Where does this put me? Am I transgendered, or simply a crossdresser who really gets into character? Is this reasonably common for people to shift personalities like I do, but not wish to pursue physical transition?

-- Penguin (Scott / Sara)

 

[Tymeless]

Honest question here :

Are we simply referring to those who are gender dysphoric, and wish to (regardless of how they might act on it) make a transition from one gender to the other? Or are any of the trans community welcome in this discussion?

The reason I ask, really, is that I lurk on these boards ALL the time - I feel like I know a lot of you well enough, and I apologize for not chiming in far more than I do to allow you the same advantage. I'm a beginning crossdresser, myself, and I've been reading these boards to get a feel for the community I've recently become a part of. I feel amazingly welcome here - and thank you all for that - but I don't post often because I'm usually doing the learning, rather than the sharing of experience.

But, in reading the original post of this thread WAY back on page 1, it seemed the OP had little interest in transitioning. Much like myself, they seemed to acknowledge a male side and a female side to their personality, and certain triggers - or just their mood at the time - can make them feel more masculine or effeminate.

Personally, I would LOVE to be a woman. Personally, I just don't enjoy being a man. There's really nothing very redeeming about masculinity in my opinion, as it only tends to make people aggressive, narrow-minded, and thoughtless. Women are gentle, caring, soft, beautiful... need I go on? I enjoy my crossdressing for these reasons, as it puts me squarely into my female persona. As both my wife and my Domme would attest to, being dressed as a woman causes a drastic personality change in me, down to my involuntary reactions.

However, for as much as I ENJOY my female persona, I don't truly feel that "nature has made a mistake" or that "I'm really a woman on the inside," or any such assertion. I was made a man. I know and accept I am a man, and I still have masculine feelings. I have no great wish (past innocent fantasy) to become a woman physically.

So, my question is this : Where does this put me? Am I transgendered, or simply a crossdresser who really gets into character? Is this reasonably common for people to shift personalities like I do, but not wish to pursue physical transition?

-- Penguin (Scott / Sara)

There are several levels of gender dysphoria yours isn't as severe as some is my guess your welcome to be part of the community and we will support you no matter what. If you see your feelings on transition changing i would talk to a mental health professional, preferably one that deals with gender issues. I wish you all the luck in the world one way or another.

 

[stlpenguin]

Oh, Tiff, I don't see that happening any time soon. I'm one of the lucky crossdressers who's married, and my wife is actually happy with my particular kink. What's better, is I've found a Domme who loves me dressed up as well, and plays to my female persona wonderfully.

Thank you, though, for your kind words.

to you all!

 

[Gi_Venus]

How far have I gone?.....well. I am going to have to purchase a bra soon in this in between stage I am going to be changing my name in the near future...getting rid of my male birth name.....skin has gotten soft and I am out of context....in other words....people are not sure if I am male or female...and I am getting mamed more often.... My aggressive male stride is history...but I do not mince. My family hates it...will not let me express myself genderwise so I will be leaving them so that I can be....sounds like a broadway hit...*I gotta be meeee!* I am making an all out assault on my old male pattern of being and culterization.....giving up my sense of self to let the innate female self take control. Lol sounds like I am my own self contained D/s.

 

[QueenPentacles]

Touching bases

Hello all,
I've not been around much recently - alot going on in life, getting settled from the big move and finding my nitch at a new job. I hope all is well with each of you.
Gi, I understand what you mean about family in your last post. I too had to leave family members behind for a while transitioning. I would only urge you not to shut the door completely on them. Family for better or worse is family, and you might be surprised who might come around given time for them to adjust to the "new" you. I know that was my experience... left family to deal with their own issues for about 5 years, but left the door open if they wanted to come back into my life. With few exceptions most have. I wish you the very best with this... balancing family and your true self is never easy.
Hugs to all,
Queen

 

[Gi_Venus]

Hello all,
I've not been around much recently - alot going on in life, getting settled from the big move and finding my nitch at a new job. I hope all is well with each of you.
Gi, I understand what you mean about family in your last post. I too had to leave family members behind for a while transitioning. I would only urge you not to shut the door completely on them. Family for better or worse is family, and you might be surprised who might come around given time for them to adjust to the "new" you. I know that was my experience... left family to deal with their own issues for about 5 years, but left the door open if they wanted to come back into my life. With few exceptions most have. I wish you the very best with this... balancing family and your true self is never easy.
Hugs to all,
Queen

Hi Queen*hugs* We will see, my family is notoriously stubborn. Right now they are having a tizzy even if I wear a cuff bracelet that looks nice and feminine on me....lol I have a nice stash of tight tee shirts I am just dying to break out. My poor mother is the one that just will not deal with it. So I tip toe around...Sigh.
I get pretty high when I can be just me....I think my natural tendency is to be perky and cheerful....We will see, I have plans of being insufferably me. Too long have I defined myself by what others see...or worse yet...what I perceive them to see. What is funny is that when they forget about the transgender issue and I am me....they get caught up in my enthusiasm....they see the positive things happening(okay they do not like the breasts but other than that.) and may come around yet.

 

[QueenPentacles]

Me again

You might get surprised, at least that is my hope for you. Even the most stubborn people can be brought around by seeing a life well lived. It's hard to argue seeing the person they "had known" as being the true person / persona when the "new" person is living a fuller, happier, healthier life. I'll keep you in my thoughts and as always you know I wish you the very best, and of course easiest, journey possible to your true self
Huggles
Queen

 

[Gi_Venus]

You might get surprised, at least that is my hope for you. Even the most stubborn people can be brought around by seeing a life well lived. It's hard to argue seeing the person they "had known" as being the true person / persona when the "new" person is living a fuller, happier, healthier life. I'll keep you in my thoughts and as always you know I wish you the very best, and of course easiest, journey possible to your true self
Huggles
Queen

*smile* I hope you are right, I know my therapist says that generally people have very little problem amazingly...of course if I can do what he is expecting of me I will be super woman.....self actualized and all.
Huggles back at you And don't be so scarce....or come on over to the glbt daily vibe...a very loving lovely bunch there They keep me sane.

 

[Pattythebelle]

Ah, so you're a GG, in the parlance of the TG world! I don't have a problem with that.

Speaking of GGs, I've read that, sometimes, transwomen have more problems with GGs than they do GMs, especially GGs that are of the lesbian orientation. Have you ever heard of anything like that?

SolariWriter

Maybe it all depends on who she is. I've had a few problems with GGs that are of the lesbian orientation. Seems that some feel that MtF TGs are mocking women.

 

[Gi_Venus]

Maybe it all depends on who she is. I've had a few problems with GGs that are of the lesbian orientation. Seems that some feel that MtF TGs are mocking women.

Hi Patty*hugs* So far I have had nothing but good experiences from the lesbian community many are the core of my support network. I think sometimes Gender Expression can be misinterpreted by some. A lot of people do not realize the compulsion and drive to express oneself, for me it is a rush to get away from my male life and *ick* body. What people neglect is the mental transition....we express our femininity believing this to moving toward where we know we need to be. The feminine self is suppressed by the male pseudo construct that we have built to deal with life and what was expected of us. If the male construct is not disassembled the female self in us cannot grow. This is where many of the Male to Female transgendered get into trouble because they fixate on physical transformation and passing to neglect the very core issue that is driving our need. What happens is that people transform physically and are half completed or transitioned mentally...saddled with our compulsion this is a condition that maddens us and leaves us with great dissatisfaction and unhappiness. Whether one is fully transitioned or not can only be determined by the individual as the range of gender identity is a self determining factor. Where one is in the range between male and female is known only to the individual.