Several states in the United States are introducing bills to restrict access to gender-affirming care for young adults, and possibly even adults. Republican-led efforts include seeking to ban or limit gender-affirming care for people into adulthood or making it harder for adults to access such care.

“It’s interesting that initially we heard that this was a thing to protect youth, but now we are seeing that it’s really about all transgender people,” Rep. Gloria Johnson

House Republicans in Oklahoma passed a bill that prohibits any institution receiving public funds from providing gender-affirming care to minors or adults, and also prohibits insurance coverage for such care. Additionally, a separate bill was introduced which would make it a felony for doctors to perform hormone treatments or surgeries related to gender transition on individuals below the age of 26.

“Let’s put children first and look out for them first and let them make those decisions as adults. I support your right to do so, when you’re an adult, not when you’re a child and you do not have the mental capacity to do so.” Republican state Sen. Jack Johnson

In Virginia, a proposed bill would ban gender-affirming surgeries for people under the age of 21, while in South Carolina, a bill identical to the original Virginia bill would ban gender-affirming procedures for people under 21 and make it harder for people to access that care when they’re over 21. Transgender activists argue that lawmakers are slowly trying to legislate trans people out of existence.

“Last year, the rhetoric was to protect kids, but now they are going after adults,” said Allison Chapman, a legislative researcher and transgender rights advocate based in Virginia.

The bills that aim to restrict gender-affirming care access for young adults have caused tensions in various states, leading to public hearings and protests. For instance, when Lindsey Spero, who is nonbinary, approached the podium at a public hearing of the Florida medical board on a gender-affirming youth trans care ban, they used their allotted time to inject testosterone in front of board members and the audience, as they believe action is necessary because historically speaking, queer freedom and liberation have never been won through words alone.

In Virginia, a proposed bill would ban gender-affirming surgeries for people under the age of 21. The legislation was amended to remove bans on hormone therapies.

The bills may also affect adults. In Florida, adults are banned from using Medicaid to receive gender-affirming care. In Virginia, the proposed bill would make it harder for someone over the age of 21 “to receive gender transition procedures” by requiring them to first obtain a referral from their primary care physician and a licensed psychiatrist. State Sen. Mark J. Peake, who is behind the Virginia bill, wants to restrict gender-affirming surgeries until patients are 21 because “juvenile brains really are not developed as a teen.” In South Carolina, Zoë Glass, an LGBTQ advocate, argued that “we have trans people who are under 21, but they’re adults. Why do they not have their own bodily autonomy?”

Transgender activists argue that gender-affirming care, which includes hormone therapy and gender-affirming surgeries, reduces the risk of mental health problems and suicidal thoughts. Contrary to claims by some lawmakers, research shows that rates of regret for gender-affirming procedures are extremely low, estimated to be around 1%. Studies show that rates of regret for knee and hip replacement surgeries are much higher than gender affirmation surgery.

Research shows that rates of regret for gender-affirming procedures are extremely low — estimates are around 1%. Rates of regret for knee and hip replacement surgeries are much higher than gender affirmation surgery, according to studies.

According to the American Civil Liberties Union, there are roughly 275 anti-LGBTQ bills that are currently in state legislatures or have been passed in the United States this year. Many of these include banning transgender care for minors and criminalizing people who provide such care, banning transgender girls from playing on girls’ sports teams, discussing or teaching about sexual orientation and gender identity in schools, and more.

Photo byAlexander GreyonUnsplash

“The existence of trans people under 21 [is] being criminalized in South Carolina and it’s extremely frightening – extraordinarily frightening.”

Advocates argue that lawmakers are slowly trying to legislate trans people out of existence, and are preparing for the worst by ensuring that all of their medical documents and paperwork are in order.

“As somebody who felt acutely suicidal … who was placed through multiple rounds of conversion therapy, I can tell you that it is incredibly hard to stay alive as a young trans person. Bans will impact the lives of trans youth … will cause mental distress and will cause, unfortunately, a lot of negative effects in the lives of these youth because they’re not able to access life-affirming care.”

Policies or laws that limit transgender health care have been passed in states such as Tennessee, Arizona, Utah, Arkansas, Alabama, Mississippi, South Dakota, and Florida. Advocates of these laws argue that gender transitioning can be detrimental to the well-being of adolescents and young adults, and suggest that such decisions regarding health should be postponed until they are older.

Studies have shown that gender-affirming care can be life-saving for transgender and nonbinary children and adolescents, promoting positive mental and physical health and well-being.

Republican lawmakers in four states have currently approved laws to prohibit gender-affirming care for minors

Utah and Mississippi this year, and Arkansas and Alabama in the previous year. The definition of minors under these laws is under 18 in Utah, Mississippi, and Arkansas, while in Alabama, a minor is under 19. The laws in Arkansas and Alabama are currently being challenged in court. In Florida, the state Board of Medicine has endorsed a ban on gender-affirming care for minors, and the state no longer provides Medicaid coverage for such care for individuals of any age.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz signed an executive order protecting and supporting access to gender-affirming health care for LGBTQ people in the state on Wednesday.

Source link

*This information is no substitute for, or pretends to be, medical advice. I am a web developer and writer, not a medical professional. Any information here is presented based on research and experience. However, we stress that you speak to your medical provider about any questions you have and before you begin treatment.

What are Hormones?

Hated science class? Well tough falsies because one- science rocks, and two- you wouldn’t work on a carburetor if you didn’t know what it did or how it worked. So tough it out and learn about your body.

Here’s the quick answer, hormones are one of the three main components of what makes up the physical facets of gender. Chromosomes and gonads are the other two. The rest of what you think is male or female is really a secondary gender marker and can honestly occur in men or women. Some women have square jaws, some men develop breasts. What can I say? Bodies are weird that way.

For men, the hormones consist of Testosterone and its derivative 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Strong stuff, which we will get to later. For women you are looking at Estrogen and progesterone, which are no slouch themselves. However, in HRT the effect and scope of change is very different. But we will get into that later.

So What Do Hormones Do?

Often, we see gender attributed solely to chromosomes, and don’t hear as much about hormones. However, it is these hormones that set many of the secondary gender markers like body hair, voice pitch, etc. And so for those wishing to attain certain visual characteristics, hormones are a must.

Hold up keyboard warriors, that isn’t to say that being gender non-conforming or being trans means you HAVE to undergo HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy), or that it is a requirement of transition. For health, financial, religious, or personal reasons- there are many people who opt to be non-op or non-hrt or both. Some people identify as transgender and don’t transition. It’s all valid, of course. But somethings just won’t happen without HRT.

TransgenderCare.com offers this explanation:

Testosterone and its potent derivative 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone (DHT) induce penile growth and secondary sex characteristics as sexual hair, deepening of the voice, a muscular build and the greater average height in males in comparison to the females. In girls, estrogens in conjunction with Progestogens induce breast formation and a fat distribution predominantly around the hips; subcutaneous fat padding produces a softness of the body configuration and of the skin. The skin in women is further generally less oily than in men; the latter on the basis of activation of the sebaceous glands by androgen.

So puberty comes along, and blammo- secondary gender markers all up in the joint. Up until puberty, we generally have to go out of our way to express our gender identity. As we saw in “Stranger Things” a preteen girl with a shaved head and neutral clothing had no problem passing as male (unintentionally). And it was even harder in the past when everyone pretty much put all kids in the same clothes- mostly dresses. Aside from a primary gender marker like genitalia to discern out- there is little difference outwardly.

So What Does that Mean to Me?

Me, me, me. That’s all you talk about. Well, to answer your question, it means that we are attempting to induce secondary gender markers and traits after puberty- to varying degrees of time. Or, we are trying to hold off puberty and avoid having these hormones start doing their remodeling work in the first place so that HRT can be begun. In many cases we are looking to also minimize unwanted gender markers as well as making changes to the body.

In the case of trans women, we are looking to not only block testosterone and DHT but also introduce estrogen or progesterone into the body. We will talk a bit more about how exactly this is done a bit later. Seriously, buckle up, it’s a long article.

So if that is your goal in mind, then HRT might be your ticket. Of course, there are some things to consider when starting HRT.

Some Things to Consider When Starting HRT

I know, great literary transition. Call me Hemingway.

So, the first thing you have to know is this- there is a process to medical transition. If you want to use medical procedures to alter your body, you have to go through the proper channels. If you were curious, they also won’t do spinal surgery without going through all the steps either. They generally like to check some boxes first.

The biggest thing is a letter from a therapist. Pretty much any Endocrinologist (think “hormone doctor”) is going to look at you vacantly and play out the movie “Diner” in their head while you talk if you try to go in and talk to them about HRT without a letter from your therapist recommending you for hormones. That’s because they tend to like their job. And performing a procedure on someone that hasn’t been properly checked out amounts to malpractice. So you will have to obtain a letter before an endocrinologist will see you.

Ah, the golden letter. What many transgender people seek, it is seen as a magical ticket that opens up the doors to the rest of your life. That’s right, one letter can change your life. So, for the life of me, I don’t understand why so many people think they can just call a therapist and ask them to write a letter or go to one session and get one. This is a big step- one that can have some irreversible effects. And, frankly, I’d be leery of any professional therapist handing out letters like a vending machine. We call those “letter factories”.

Generally, the rule for both therapists and Endocrinologists is one year of therapy to begin HRT. That’s when you can usually expect to get a letter. It might not be consecutive, or with the same therapist. But you at least need to show you’ve put in some consistent effort and made a commitment to this.

The letter itself is usually pretty straightforward. It essentially says that they’ve seen you for however long and that they’ve found you to be of sound mind and rational enough to make this decision. So that everyone can see it isn’t symptomatic of another condition. Usually, it is also covered that you are not being coerced in any way into this decision and you are doing it of your free will. Also, that it is not sexually motivated.

Once you have this letter, you will get referred to an Endocrinologist. This is either done through your regular doctor, a clinic like planned parenthood or directly from your therapist (ONLY if they are a psychiatrist).

The endocrinologist will run several tests to make sure that you are healthy and suitable for HRT. This will include a medical history and a good amount of blood work. After you get the all clear, your endocrinologist will sit down and work out a plan with you for your treatment including schedule, exact medication, and dosages.

For the record- we won’t be talking about dosages here. It’s considered a no-no. You need to stick to the dosage you are given. Even if you feel it isn’t happening fast enough and your friend is on a higher dosage than you. Just know that you are on the right dosage for you, and if you aren’t then your doctor will adjust that. Taking too much, or an incorrect dosage can lead to blood clots, strokes, seizures, taking not good blood thinners and death. Did you come all this way to wind up like that? Read more at http://sideeffectsofxarelto.org/current-xarelto-lawsuits/ and think.

Do I Have to be on HRT Forever?

.
Unfortunately, the answer is yes. You will be on HRT for the rest of your life. Some of the effects of hormone replacement therapy are reversible and you will wind up right back where you started if you quit. You will need to discuss this further with your endocrinologist.

What Will I Be Taking?

This is entirely dependent on what your endocrinologist prescribes for you. But here are the types of hormones you can expect to receive:

Male to Female

• Estrogens
  The most commonly prescribed estrogens in HRT for transgender women are micronized estradiol, certain estradiol esters such as estradiol valerate and estradiol cypionate (which are prodrugs of estradiol), and conjugated equine estrogens (Premarin). Estrogens may be administered orally, nasally, sublingually, by intramuscular injection, from an implant, or transdermally (via gel, spray, or patch).
• Progestogens
  Progestogens include progesterone and progestins (synthetic progestogens). Progestogens commonly prescribed for transgender women include progesterone, cyproterone acetate, and medroxyprogesterone acetate. They may be administered orally, sublingually, rectally (by suppository), transdermally (in gel form), or by intramuscular injection.
• Anti-Androgens
  Anti-androgen medications work by blocking the effects of testosterone. For example, they will help slow male-pattern baldness, reduce growth of facial hair, and stop spontaneous/morning erections. They are not needed if one has undergone a bilateral orchidectomy (removal of both testicles).Anti-androgen drugs are often prescribed in addition to oestrogen, as the two have effects that complement each other. Taking anti-androgens reduces the amount of oestrogen you need to get the same effects, which minimizes the health risks associated with high doses of oestrogen. Anti-androgen drugs can be prescribed alone for those who want to reduce ‘masculine’ characteristics for a more androgynous appearance, as it’s less ‘feminizing’ than oestrogen.
  • Steroidal
    The most commonly used antiandrogens for trans women are steroidal: spironolactone and cyproterone acetate. Spironolactone, which is relatively safe and inexpensive, is the most frequently used antiandrogen in the United States. Cyproterone acetate, which is unavailable in the United States, is more commonly used in the rest of the world.
  • 5α-Reductase inhibitors
    Certain antiandrogens do not reduce testosterone or prevent its action upon tissues, but instead prevent its metabolite, dihydrotestosterone (DHT), from forming. These medications can be used when the patient has male-pattern hair loss and/or an enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia), both of which DHT exacerbates. Two medications are currently available to prevent the creation of DHT: finasteride and dutasteride. DHT levels can be lowered up to 60–75% with the former, and up to 93–94% with the latter. These medications have also been found to be effective in the treatment of hirsutism in women.
  • Non-Steroidal
    Non-steroidal antiandrogens used in HRT for trans women include flutamide, nilutamide, and bicalutamide, all three of which are primarily used in the treatment of prostate cancer.[45][46] Unlike steroidal antiandrogens such as spironolactone and cyproterone acetate, these drugs are pure androgen receptor antagonists. They do not lower androgen levels; rather, they act solely by preventing the binding of androgens to the androgen receptor.
  • GnRH analogues
    In both sexes, the hypothalamus produces gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) to stimulate the pituitary gland to produce luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). This in turn cause the gonads to produce sex steroids such as androgens and estrogens. In adolescents of either sex with relevant indicators, GnRH analogues such as goserelin acetate can be used to stop undesired pubertal changes for a period without inducing any changes toward the sex with which the patient currently identifies.
  • GnRH agonists
    GnRH agonists work by initially overstimulating the pituitary gland, then rapidly desensitizing it to the effects of GnRH. After an initial surge, over a period of weeks, gonadal androgen production is greatly reduced. Conversely, GnRH antagonists act by blocking the action of GnRH in the pituitary gland.

Female to Male

• Androgens
  A natural or synthetic compound, usually a steroid hormone, that stimulates or controls the development and maintenance of male characteristics. This is usually just generically referred to as “T” or testosterone.
• GnRH agonists
  In all people, the hypothalamus releases GnRH (gonadotropin-releasing hormone) to stimulate the pituitary to produce LH (luteinizing hormone) and FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone) which in turn cause the gonads to produce sex steroids. In adolescents of either sex with relevant indicators, GnRH agonists, such as nafarelin can be used to suspend the advance of sex steroid induced, inappropriate pubertal changes for a period without inducing any changes in the gender-appropriate direction. GnRH agonists work by initially over stimulating the pituitary then rapidly desensitizing it to the effects of GnRH. Over a period of weeks, gonadal androgen production is greatly reduced.
• Progestin injections
  Depo-Provera (depot medroxyprogesterone acetate, or DMPA) may be injected every three months just as it is used for contraception. Generally, after the first cycle, menses are greatly reduced or eliminated. This may be useful for transgender men prior to initiation of testosterone therapy. These work to help eliminate menstruation and acts as birth control.
• Supplements
  Andro ‘Pro-hormones’: Androstenedione, 4-androstenediol, 5-androstenediol, 19-androstenediol, and 19-norandrostenediol are sold as supplements that are purported to increase serum testosterone, increase muscle mass, decrease fat, elevate mood, and increase sexual performance (i.e. many of the effects transgender men seek with androgen therapy). However, there is no good medical evidence that the pro-hormones do any of these things. However, there is evidence that ingestion of these substances can cause elevated estrogen levels, and decreases in HDL (good) cholesterol.

What Will Change?

This will vary depending on dosage, length on therapy, and whether you are a trans male or female.

Female to Male

• deepening of the voice,
• growth of facial and body hair
• male pattern baldness (in some individuals)
• an enlargement of the clitoris
• growth spurt and closure of growth plates if given before the end of puberty
• possible shrinking and/or softening of breasts, although this is due to changes in fat tissue
• increased libido
• redistribution of body fat
• cessation of ovulation and menstruation
• further muscle development (especially upper body)
• increased sweat and changes in body odor
• prominence of veins and coarser skin
• acne (especially in the first few years of therapy)
• alterations in blood lipids (cholesterol and triglycerides)
• increased red blood cell count

Male to Female

• Breast development and enlargement
• Softening and thinning of the skin
• Decreased body hair growth and density
• Redistribution of body fat in a feminine pattern
• Decreased muscle mass and strength
• Widening of the hips (if epiphyseal closure has not yet occurred; see below)
• Decreased acne, skin oiliness, scalp hair loss, and body odor
• Decreased size of the penis, scrotum, testicles, and prostate
• Suppressed or abolished spermatogenesis and fertility
• Decreased semen production/ejaculate volume
• Changes in mood, emotionality, and behavior
• Decreased sex drive and incidence of spontaneous erections

Potential Side Effects

Male to Female

• Blood Clots
• Prolactinoma
• Gallstones
• Possible Risk of Cancer
• Heart Disease
• Infertility

Special note about Spironolactone
Spironolactone is often prescribed in MTF therapy for pre-op trans women. It’s used off-label to this end, as it is usually prescribed for high blood pressure or edema. It is a diuretic that expels water and holds on to potassium. However, you can hold on to too much potassium and wind up with a life threatening situation. So you have to make sure you have your levels closely monitored.

Female to Male

• Heart disease
• Stroke
• Diabetes
• Increased red blood cells and hemoglobin
• Onset or worsening of headaches and migraines
• Cancer
• Mental Health

That’s a very broad overview to start, what questions do you have that you would like answered in part 2? We will be covering supplements, online ordering, administering medication, and more. Let us know what you want in the comments below.

Calls for the WHO to look at reclassifying transgender identity came following a study led by the National Institute of Psychiatry in Mexico, published in the Lancet Psychiatry journal, which suggested transgender people struggled to access health care services due to the classification.

“Stigma associated with both mental disorder and transgender identity has contributed to the precarious legal status, human rights violations and barriers to appropriate care among transgender people,” said the study’s senior author Professor Geoffrey Reed, of the National Autonomous University of Mexico.

“The definition of transgender identity as a mental disorder has been misused to justify denial of health care and contributed to the perception that transgender people must be treated by psychiatric specialists, creating barriers to health care services.

“The definition has even been misused by some governments to deny self-determination and decision-making authority to transgender people in matters ranging from changing legal documents to child custody and reproduction.”

The study interviewed 250 transgender people in Mexico and found that violence and social rejection rather than questions about their gender identity led to “distress and dysfunction”.

Researchers will now carry out the same study in other countries.

The WHO is reportedly considering the reclassification when it revises its list of mental and behavioural disorders for 2018, and there has allegedly not been any opposition to the reclassification of transgender identity from within the organisation.

It is hoped that the mental illness reclassification would help to remove the stigma experienced by transgender people.

The study’s lead investigator Dr Rebeca Robles, from the National Institute of Psychiatry, added:

“Rates of experiences related to social rejection and violence were extremely high in this study, and the frequency with which this occurred within participants own families is particularly disturbing.

“Unfortunately, the level of maltreatment experienced in this sample is consistent with other studies from around the world. This study highlights the need for policies and programs to reduce stigmatization and victimization of this population.

“The removal of transgender diagnoses from the classification of mental disorders can be a useful part of those efforts.”

Source

Beefheads Fitness is a collaboration between several FTM transgender male fitness enthusiasts and experts that have been where you are and are ready to help you reach your goals. Unfortunately the channel no longer seems to be updated. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t a library of great information about supplements, nutrition, and exercise routines. You can get tips on building your chest, as well as the best protein to take.

They also talk about the mindset behind fitness and what it means to them to change their bodies, and finally take control of something that made them feel trapped. That kind of control can do so much to ease dysphoria.

Here is one video that talks about chest day and building up those muscles that are so important to a male body shape, and helping to really get rid of a huge secondary gender marker.

Check out their channel here.

Transgender Services Come to Kansas City

Starting April 11th, at their Kansas City North location (Gladstone, MO), Planned Parenthood of Kansas and Mid-Missouri will be offering comprehensive services specifically for the transgender community. They join the more than 27 Planned Parenthood locations offering similar services across the country. Currently finding some of the vital transgender services needed has been difficult. However, Planned Parenthood has made it easier to find them; and most importantly, in an environment that strives for safety and inclusive.

At launch the northland clinic will be offering counseling referrals and guidance, HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy) for both trans men and women, as well as all of the blood tests and monitoring that are so important to HRT. However, there is one service that is critical but often overlooked. Many trans men fail to get yearly exams such as pap smears, for fear of embarrassment or body dysmorphia. Planned Parenthood understands those fears and has sought making this as comfortable as possible a paramount goal.

Part of their commitment to this goal is the approach they’ve taken with their own education. They have taken great pains to make sure their staff and doctors understand the particular needs of the transgender community. They have reached out to therapists in the area for guidance, seeking to understand and embrace the “standards of care” for transgender individuals. Additionally they are bringing in transgender men and women to talk to the staff so they can share their experiences and needs.

“We want to focus on caring for both physical and emotional needs in a safe place.” said Bonyen Lee-Gilmore, Director of Communications & Marketing for Planned Parenthood of Kansas and Mid-Missouri, “We need to put health first.”

Reproductive Health for All

Part of this initiative is the growth of their PrEP (Pre Exposure Prophylaxis) services for HIV/AIDS. On March 14th, Planned Parenthood expanded those services with launches in midtown Kansas City, MO as well as Columbia, MO- with plans to expand to all six locations within six months to a year. In fact, this chapter of Planned Parenthood in particular finds itself in a state of great growth.

The reason for the expansion of these services is simple, women are the fastest growing segment of the population to contract HIV/AIDs. This includes the often overlooked menopausal and post-menopausal population.

Their treatment program is multi-faceted, covering risk factors as well as treatment. Not only do they handle the prescription of the drug Truvada, they also monitor kidney function, and over health with regular screenings and checkups.

However, most importantly, they seek to service the community with education. Bonyen Lee-Gilmore continued, “There is a great need for education about reproductive health and STI symptoms. We are seeking to change this by providing education and treatment for all regardless of gender, gender identity, or generation.”

For further information visit Planned Parenthood of Kansas and Mid-Missouri online.

For transgender specific services you can reach out to the Gladstone office at 816-453-6000 or at their clinic page.

You can also find them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

(edit- Corrected proper name for mid-America branch. Added social media. Corrected start date for transgender services.)

Clear Your Mind

Even if you don’t have the burden of transitioning and changing your presentation to the entire world, altering their view of you- the human brain is somewhat…crowded. I know for me personally, it feels like my brain is the wall of TVs in “The Truman Show” with different feeds changing and flashing constantly. Some nights it’s like trying to fall asleep in a pinball machine.

We could all use a little clarity and mindfulness and meditation can give that to us. It doesn’t have to be all “woo woo” chakras and third eye business either. If that works for you, great. But for the rest of us, meditation is just like any other exercise- just for your brain. It’s learning to focus yourself and concentrate on clearing your mind of all the thoughts running around in your head.

If you have never meditated before, there are some really great apps that offer guided meditation- and they are completely free. Insight Timer is a wonderful app that offers hundreds of guided meditations on a slew of different topics. You can search for something that seems like it might fit your situation. Breathe is a way to dip your toe into meditation and be guided all the way. Answer a few questions about how you are feeling and how you are doing, and it will serve up a short meditation that is aimed at what you need.

And if you are one of those “I can’t concentrate that long.” folks, then take heart. There are many meditations that are only a couple of minutes long. Perfect to build up your meditation muscles.

If You Want to Transition on a Budget, You Have to do Your Research

You may not have gotten to grow up as a girl and spend your formative years learning to do things most girls do. But that doesn’t mean you can’t learn now.

Makeup/Skin Care/Hair

There is a world of information out there for you. You can find 10’s of 1000’s of makeup tutorials on YouTube from professional makeup artists and other trans women. Personally I suggest Kandee Johnson, Wayne Goss, and Nickie Tutorials. I especially like Kandee because of her personality and the fact that she doesn’t ignore that budgets are a thing and she includes mention and use of “drug store” makeup as well as high end stuff. All three though are entertaining and fun to watch. They also cover a lot of skin care tips. You can also find many video tutorials on hair care and styling. There is no end to what you can find.

Clothes

Along the same lines, take this time to learn about clothes. And more than just what designers are hot. Learn about what cuts flatter certain body types, find out how to camouflage your body and how to minimize and maximize certain areas. You should also learn what your colors are and what matches your skin tone. Go through catalogs, online or in print, and take some time to learn what you like. Yeah, you like dresses, but what kind? Is an A-line your style? More retro cut? Fit and Flare? Tulip cut? What patterns? This is a huge opportunity to do some self-discovery and find out more about who you truly are for the first time.

Here is the thing that you may not think about first off. Treat your wardrobe as a female the same as your old wardrobe. You need day clothes, you need clothes to go to the store, you need clothes to go to work. Sure that little black dress and heels look great, but aren’t really practical to hit up the Costco. So observe the staples that every woman wears and how they dress things down.

Also- do yourself and learn about shoes too. You need to know about more than heels because, trust me, no woman wears heels every day.

Law of the Land

It would be stupid and irresponsible to pretend that your aren’t about to embark on a difficult journey, you need to know how your change will affect you legally. Rights and laws vary from state to state and you should know what they are and how much or how little you are protected. You can start by taking a look at Lambda Law.

Let’s Get Physical

If you aren’t working out already, now is the time. Hormones can sap your energy and cause you to gain weight. So get a jump on it now by getting in your best shape possible. Plus, let’s just face it, a smaller frame is a more feminine frame. You can’t change your bone structure but you can use fitness to help shape your body into your ideal shape. You can check out our fitness articles here.

Pitch Perfect

For some girls, voice is a challenge. No matter how they look, the voice isn’t quite what they hoped for. Thankfully there are vocal exercises and techniques you can use to help soften your voice. Yes, there is surgery available, but it’s expensive and risky. Give this a shot while you are still in the early phases.

Quit Smoking

It deepens your voice. It damages your skin. It kills you. You can’t smoke during HRT. It’s a waste of money. Whatever you have to do, quit smoking. You owe it to yourself.

Learn From Others

There are many blogs and YouTube channels from transgender women that talk openly and frankly about transition. Learn from their experience. Seeing and reading about others who have gone through the struggle you are going through is educational and cathartic. You will learn valuable information, and maybe be able to not make a few of the same mistakes.

A couple of our favorite channels are Ty Turner and Princess Joules.

Observe Your World

You have the single greatest learning tool you could ever need to prepare for transition- your eyes. Start paying attention to women, and seeing them in a different way. Watch how they walk, how they dress, how they wear there hair, how they talk. Does the way they dress flatter them? If not, what could be done different? Start observing and you will learn a lot. Practical information is always the best information. And if you want to learn how to present as a woman, learn by watching women.

Stop Thinking About Transitioning

I know, it seems counter intuitive, but sometimes you just have to flip the switch and go grab an adult beverage, curl up with the dogs, go out with friends, watch an episode of Supernatural, or just fire up the game console- anything that isn’t about transition. Yes, it’s huge. And yes, it’s on your mind a lot. But it CAN NOT be an obsession and the only thing that you think about. Not only will it drive you insane, but it will cause the rest of your life to suffer. Spending time with friends, and doing hobbies that you have always loved seem less important when you are burning out your emotions with transition. So take time for you, just you- regardless of gender or where you are in transition. Take time for you as a person.

Okay, don’t forget them, they are pretty awesome too. But one of the biggest physical traits men exhibit is that class “V” shape that starts with a broad top and tapers down to a fit waist. And let’s face it, the bigger your back, the smaller your waist looks.

We aren’t talking about super definition, at least not right off the bat. What we want to focus on is getting the foundation muscles laid and starting to shape your body.

The best reason to really focus on your back is the most obvious. The stronger your core is, the stronger your body is. You will never build true strength if you don’t pay proper attention to your back and core. Plus it helps prevent back injury and fatigue, and in general, it just makes you feel better and more energized.

So check out these exercises to start getting your muscles built up, and you might be surprised how quickly you see the changes in your body.

Just keep in mind that you can’t expect miracles. There isn’t much in a way of muscles in that area, we are basically dealing with skeletal shape and bone structure.

So what muscles can we find down there? We are going to be focusing on the gluteus muscles, primarily the minimus and medius. These are abductor muscles that work to move a limb away from your body. These are not muscles that are accustomed to being worked out for size rather than support strength. That means we are going to be doing some very intense work.

As always, don’t overdo a new exercise routine. These are exercises you may not be familiar with, so take your time and make sure you have your form down before anything else. Whenever possible, try and set yourself in front of a mirror so you can check your form. And always consult your doctor before starting a new exercise routine.

1. Side Lunge (with Barbell or Dumbbells)

   You might be familiar with the side lunge, but you probably haven’t ever done it quite like this. For those who don’t know, a side lunge starts with your feet about shoulder width apart. You take a step to your side and bend your knee until you are in a lunge position. This version of the side lunge is a bit different.

   First of all, you will start with a wider base than a normal side lunge. First, grab your weights, start light because you don’t want to underestimate this exercise. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and then, with either foot, take one decent step out to your side. Next, bend your knee down on the first leg until you are in a lunge position with your other leg pivoting out but always remaining in place. Then use your leg you are bending, and keeping your weight on that foot, to push yourself back up into your original wide-leg stance. Repeat to the other side. You should feel it right there in your hip. If you don’t, experiment with your angle and positioning of your foot when rising out of the lunge until you feel it.With this wider stance we take stress off of the knee. That means we can do more, and use more weight. Remember that you are working out a relatively small area, so you are going to feel this tomorrow.

2. Side Lying Hip Abduction

   This is another one that is deceptive in how effective it is and how much you will feel it. Start by laying down on your side with your bottom arm supporting your head and your upper arm resting on your side. Optionally you can add a free weight, resting it on your hip.It’s pretty simple, just lift your upper leg up and slightly to the back for a gentle diagonal line. But be careful not to raise your leg too high so you don’t put undo stress on your hip. Roll over and repeat.

3. Standing Hip Abduction

   We are working the same muscle group as with the last exercise, but it can be a nice alternative, or one you can throw in on another day to keep working it. You can do both in the same workout, but we wouldn’t recommend it. Too much stress and repetitive motion. You can also add a resistance band to step it up.Simply stand and support your side you won’t be using, and perform the same motion with your leg going out and slightly back. If you are using a resistance band then be sure to keep pressure and tension on for the entire release. Seems elementary, but I’ve seen people slingshot themselves pretty impressively with bands. And you don’t want to whack your ankle on a squat rack.

4. Side Planks

   Time for our good friend, the plank. Planks are one of the most effective exercises that you can do to strengthen and tone your core. Why is this important? Your core is, well, your core. It’s the base of everything. It doesn’t matter how strong your arms or legs are if you are weak in the middle. It helps with overall strength and support as well as protecting your back.There are many variations on the plank, but for our purposes we will be sticking with the side plank. While not necessarily working the hips, it does work your side or oblique abs. Toning up this area will help with your overall figure and in conjunction with your other exercises, it will help make your hips look wider as you get trimmer looking in the middle.Lay on your side again with your upper arm resting on your leg and your lower bent out at a 90 degree angle under you. Lift yourself up on that lower arm and straighten your body with your arm fully perpendicular to you. Your arm is just a support here, we are looking at the middle. So use your core muscles to keep you straight and avoid sagging in the middle. Try going for as long as you can, and aim for three reps on each side if you can.

5. Sumo Walk

   For this one, we are going to need a resistance band. And the ability to look a little odd. Put the resistance band (doubled up if you need to) around your legs. You can put them anywhere, but we recommend nearer the ankles to reduce strain and encourage the glutes to fire up.Simply walk like a sumo wrestler, taking steps forward while keeping tension on the band. You can also think of the exaggerated gait of a gunslinger or a bulldog too. Work up the distance you can do and repeat for up to 3 sets.

We know this is a frustrating area to build up, and an area that probably already vexes you. These exercises along with HRT can help to give you a more feminine shape. Don’t get frustrated though, results don’t come overnight and it’s going to take hard work. Stick with it and keep working it!