Transgender Teen Survival Guide

Asked by Anonymous

Lee says:

It’ll basically put your puberty on pause. You won’t continue to have breast growth and you won’t ever get your period if you’ve haven’t already started it. This also means you’ll probably not grow as much during as your peers will while on blockers, but once you start HRT you’ll start growing faster and catch up to everyone.

My endocrinologist said:

“Puberty suppression may be started as early as the first sign of puberty, which is breast development in a biological female (usually age 9 to 13) or testicular enlargement in a biological male (usually 10 to 14) up to age 16. Forms include Lupron injections into the muscle every 12 weeks or a Supprelin yearly implant under the the skin placed by surgery. Rarely the implant can extrude- come out. Sometimes the injections cause pain. 

Both forms can cause headaches, hot flashes, allergic reactions, rise in hormones (an extra period or extra acne) before suppression, possible mild weight gain and mood swings. Long term bone loss is possible especially if there is not enough calcium and vitamin D in the diet and not enough weight bearing exercise. Height growth rate may decrease but will resume when such therapy is stopped or cross hormones added. Puberty suppression for the most part is considered a reversible option.”

After around two & a half years, give or take (it’s usually around 16) you can start testosterone, and you’ll go through puberty getting a deeper voice, more body hair, etc. You’ll have basically skipped most of the “girl” puberty and head on to the “guy” puberty, with a pause in-between. 

You probably won’t need to ever get top surgery because your breasts won’t grow enough before you get puberty blockers, and then when you’re on T, they won’t grow either. Our puberty blockers tag has some more info if you sift through it.

The WPATH-SOC is a guideline that some clinicians and doctors follow when prescribing hormones. In order for adolescents to receive puberty suppressing hormones, you have to convince them that following minimum criteria has been met:

1. The adolescent has demonstrated a long-lasting and intense pattern of gender nonconformity or gender dysphoria (whether suppressed or expressed)
   
2. Gender dysphoria emerged or worsened with the onset of puberty
   
3. Any co-existing psychological, medical, or social problems that could interfere with treatment (e.g., that may compromise treatment adherence) have been addressed, such that the adolescent’s situation and functioning are stable enough to start treatment
   
4. The adolescent has given informed consent and, particularly when the adolescent has not reached the age of medical consent, the parents or other caretakers or guardians have consented to the treatment and are involved in supporting the adolescent throughout the treatment process.
   

More info:

• Here’s The Deal With Puberty Blockers
• What are puberty blockers?
  
• Hormone Blockers (video)
• Puberty Blocking & Hormone Therapy for Transgender Adolescents
  
• Medical intervention in transgender adolescents appears to be safe and effective
  
• Young Adult Psychological Outcome After Puberty Suppression and Gender Reassignment
  

Followers, feel free to add on!