Hi! I'm interested in hearing others' experience with this switch. If there were/are any unwanted side effects at all, physical and/or mental/emotional. Also would love to hear the positives! Thanks.

I am slowly changing everything over since changing my legal name and gender marker. I recently had an EBT recertification, and for that I had to change name/gender marker with them. In my state (Maryland) at least, does EBT share information with the Medicaid program? The place where I am going to get top surgery told me no, don't change your name/gender marker til after surgery or Medicaid won't pay. I have read Medicaid will, they just might initially turn it down, then accept when the changeover is explained. Perhaps the surgery center just doesn't want extra paperwork. For several reasons I didn't want to delay my name/gender marker change any longer.

So if EBT knows will Medicaid know, or could I possibly delay changing over my info with Medicaid til after top surgery? My surgery is being rescheduled so it could be at least a few months.

i was given the medical option today to start microdosing on T or start using low doses of T gel/cream that should only increase libido plus increase my energy.

I currently present as androgynous & going through HRT (estrogen/progesteron).

I’m not ready to experience T changes yet such as harder facial feature, hair loss, acne etc.

I know everyone is different, but anyone start microdosing & what were your changes?

Is there an up to date guide of sorts for companies that are trans friendly (especially when you're in the early stages of transition)?

I've had a couple of conditional offers for warehouse jobs for now, Amazon, which I know is trans friendly, and Swissport's air cargo warehouse. Anyone have experience with Swissport? The position at Amazon would be seasonal, whereas Swissport claims it's a regular position. My joints aren't thrilled about warehouse work lol but I need something full time fast. My current part time retail position isn't enough.

I'm a 21 year old trans guy who is probably going to start Testosterone soon, I was just wondering if you know anyone who's been on T for so long? My trainer brought up the question and it interests both of us. Is it so new that we don't really know if HRT has any negative effects in the long term?

Incidentally I’ve been driving for decades and have not been in an account since the mid-2000’s (guy turned left in front of me) and no moving violations since then either (got ticket dismissed)

Just over 6 months mark. Feeling GOOD 😎💜😎

Every time I wander into the menopause Reddit's. It makes me so sad that the older AFAB body only has limited research available regarding menopause. I grew up in an evangelical cult and body science was not taught in my schooling. Also, I am not thrilled with all the posts being very binary gendered. I do not relate to that language any more.

I am a late egg - trans masc enby. I have always had terrible dysphoria around periods and had top surgery for the breast dysphoria. Does anyone else feel the symptoms of menopause and reading the stories are scary?

For context: someone said using vaginal estrogen cranks her libido and makes her breasts heavier and larger. For someone who has had top surgery, I am really fearful of what the estrogen therapy would do to me physically, emotionally and mentally. I already have hereditary mental illness and mood swings from peri.

Another person said her hot flashes have become what she called atomic 😯 My hot flashes stopped when I stopped eating junk food at night and started exercising more. I feel I am in for more at a later date and I am dreading it.

I feel like I will lose all the progress I have made creating the authentic person that took me 47 years to reveal. Also, I am not on any hormones. I am socially transitioned (and out & proud) with a flat chest, a gender neutral name and an androgynous look. I have no idea how any of this works.

Tell me your success stories on meno related hormone therapy. Is there anyone out there?

Does it get easier?

I will be 52 in a week and I have just begun transition. I have known I was male since I could verbalize it. I recently discovered the terror I have always felt about this was the result and intention of conversion torture that my family sent me to at 5 years old.

I am happy and solid around accepting and loving myself authentically. I am very happy with the decision to transition and ecstatic on a daily basis see changes and feel my true self be freed and connected to my body again.

Where I seem to be struggling is everywhere else. Work feels unsafe, even though they fain acceptance. Friends and some family are supportive but really have no desire to be part of or hear about my process or journey.

I am struggling with my medical team treating me like a child who can’t make decision about his own body. They are actively protecting the construct my abusers forced on me and treating my true self as the enemy.

I know this is my journey alone and it’s not anyone else’s responsibility or walk to take. This process has brought some positive aspects into my life. I was hoping it would make me feel more connected to life and people once I felt more connected to myself but I feel like it’s creating more walls and trust issues for me.

I’m just hoping someone will tell me it won’t always feel like this or at least the emotional nerve will get numb at some point. ☹️

Any advice is welcome.

I don't understand after how many times I've been assumed to be a "he," now when it really matters, I've been called "ma'am" today at two job interviews, after applying in my new name and gender marker. Did I get my hair cut too short too soon? I've read that can accentuate femaleness while leaving it a bit shaggy will hide it. My name? It's one of those names that with the change of one letter it can be a male or female name. Perhaps I should start using my middle name. Chest? It was smushed down as far as it'll go. I need to lose some weight but it won't happen overnight, and help diminish the chest area.

People seem taken aback when an older person is just going through transition. I wish every day I'd been able to escape to a blue state much younger, get away from family, and started this so much earlier. Well, I have to deal with what is.

Anyone have any results with those subliminal YouTube videos with FtM affirmations..? Or maybe the times I've been addressed as a guy in the past was because I didn't give a ^%$ lol...Too nervous, cared *too* much about passing today.

Thank you for coming to my Ted talk (or rather rant) today...

Any advice out there for those about to interview for new jobs, after making the big change of name and gender marker? How do you handle the issue of jobs held while using birth name...?

Any personal experience of what to do or not do in the first official interview as a Mr.?

I have a few lined up for Monday and am nervous. Got to find a decent shirt, clip-on tie that aren't too expensive...not too many thrift stores around here.

I've got to say it was disturbing how my resume in my prior name was being ignored for a very long time, and the reaction my new one in a male name is getting! I'm certainly not complaining. So much discrimination in hiring tho.

Celebrating my 2 year anniversary of my legal name change. Got it done early in my transition and it was well worth the hoops to get everything matched up.

Cheers everyone. I am dropping in today to let you know that I have built a website called TransMascStories — a resource for trans men and transmasculine individuals to explore unique transition stories, or share their own. There are already a few on the site, so thank you for anyone who has contributed. This project is my way of paying it forward. I hope it can become a resource for anyone who is at the very beginning of their FTM journey.

Please share it with anyone who could benefit from it x

Link in comments!

Hi. On my last blood tests it showed my red blood cells and hematocrit were just a bit elevated. I have read folks donate blood to ward that off, but don't they test RBCs or hematocrit at the Red Cross before letting you donate? Will having results a bit high disqualify you from giving blood? I tried calling and asking, but instead of just answering the question they asked for my name, etc. so I just hung up.

Will they let you donate blood if you're on HRT?

My T levels were not yet up to the male range, yet my estrogen levels are rising; I read the body can convert some T into estrogen sometimes. My red blood cell and hematocrit levels are already a few points too high. I'm wondering if I might have to stop taking T. Does this happen very often? I'm 59 and had hysto/oophorectomy about 7 years ago due to endometrial cancer, so my hormone levels were very low when I started T. Because of my previous cancer I really don't need estrogen levels to rise.

It's a bit difficult getting answers from my dr's office. I just wondered if anyone went through something similar and what your dr had you do. Would I likely have to go in and have the dr's office take blood just not to donate?

Hi. I recently changed over my social security number and drivers license to my new name and gender. I have slowly been transferring everything else to the new name. I need to rent a post office box, since my box at my complex has been broken into. A rental lease is required to rent the box in addition to photo ID, but my lease is in my old name. If I apply for a box online, can I just upload my court order name change document in addition to my lease? Will they accept it? Anyone had any experience with that?

A UPS Store box is a more expensive option, and the guy at the nearest UPS Store to me freaked out at the court order.

NSFW: sex and masturbation mentioned

Around fall of 2023, I startrd feeling sluggish and out of sorts. I was tired all the time and I began taking 2 hour naps, only to wake up, be awake for 3-4 more hours, then crash again. My libido was down, which even my partner noticed. However, I still masturbated regularly. At that time, my testosterone level in December, 2023 were at 393. I use two pumps of testosterone gel daily.

This continued until May of 2024, when my new endo, who has been at Planned Parenthood for ten years raised my T-gel dose from the two pumps I had been on for seven and a half years, up to three. My testosterone level was 391.

After only a couple of weeks, my libido was back, and I felt more energized. After a couple more weeks, I didn't need the naps anymore. By early August of 2024, my testosterone level was at 852.

However, my PCP told me that my liver enzymes are "off," so I was instructed to stop taking my lipitor (for high cholesterol) for a bit before getting another blood test. My liver enzymes were still "off" after a couple of weeks, so now I'm scheduled to take a liver ultrasound later today.

When I spoke to my Planned Parenthood endo, she hadn't heard of this happening. She even asked around her office, and no one hadn't heard of this. I'm in a major city here in Connecticut, USA, at a rather busy PP office. Looking back at my bloodwork, I noticed that my "enzymes" were off as far back as March 2023, the farthest back the app will let me go.

I know that some people have to go off of testosterone "because of it affecting the liver. I am wondering if this is what is going on.

Has anyone else ever have liver issues while on testosterone gel or testosterone shots? What did your doctor do? Were you prescribed anything else? Did you have to pause your testosterone? If so, for how long? Did you have to stop taking your high cholesterol medicine?

I’m intrinsically male & want to medically transition, although I have some deeper concerns.

I’m 50 y/o & going through menopause plus on HRT (Estrogen/progesterone).

I’m also going through some hair loss already as it’s genetic. I’m not prepared for balding.

Has anyone transitioned later in life while on HRT & what was your experience going on only T?

My BP has always been normal. But last two weeks it has been going high. Like 187/122. I know I have been super stressed with home life and I did notice my BP got up to around 135/80 and that is around where it would stay. But know no. I have been on T now 9 months. Would T do that? And yes I have contacted my Doc and will be seeing her. But looking for some first hand experience. Thanks!

Hello, all. I am unfortunately but a thirteen year old, haha - therefore, I don't quite hold a place here, but I'd like to ask a question. I apologize if I break any undisclosed guideline or similar. Anyhow, I aspire to enlist into the army upon my hormone levels (I believe that's what it's commonly referred to as) equate, as I am likely to begin HRT soon; does anyone withhold any information, general experience, or guidance regarding such? As in, have any of you served? Thanks - let me know. 🙂

Tl;dr: How do I go about telling my mom with dementia that I'm trans and using a new name/pronouns in a way that doesn't greatly upset her?

New here, but it's been nice to see a bunch of folks who've started their transition later in life. I'm mid-40s and just starting to socially transition (and hoping to start T in the new year).

My current challenge is wanting to come out broadly, but needing to tell my mom (70s) first. She has mild/moderate dementia - she struggles a lot with time, numbers, and writing, but isn't forgetting who people are. (She just thinks we're all 20-30 years younger than we are.) We have always had a reasonable relationship. She is moderately liberal and isn't opposed to trans people in general, but also it's been over a decade since my spouse started using they/them pronouns and she still only gets it right maybe half the time. And when I told her I'd been diagnosed ADHD (finally), she got very defensive and said I couldn't possibly be. She is not good at having to change her thinking.

I'm the child who lives within a driveable distance and there's a lot of support else needs to manage her medical needs, etc. So she is going to be part of my life until the end of hers.

I could just not tell her for now, but if I change my name on Facebook, the whole family will see and someone will say something to her, and then she'll be upset I didn't tell her. But also it's a 50/50 chance I tell her and then she immediately forgets. But also if/when I start T, it's eventually going to become apparent.

I'm fully prepared for her to misgender/name me for the next 20 years. 😆 But how do I even start the conversation in a way that maybe she'll understand?

Good night, I'm from Argentina, 9 years on T, I'm so happy for my new life, every day thant I can breathe I'm say thanks God for all