For young people who are sure they want to make a gender change, getting on hormone blockers and maybe hormones can help a lot.
You need to be sure, though.
Hormone blockers will stop your puberty. If you stop taking them, your puberty will start again.
Hormones may change your body so you can not make children.
You need to know the other risks and side effects that can happen before starting.
If you are not an adult yet, these are the ways you can get them.
With help of a parent or guardian
This is the easy and safe way. I really hope you will come out to your family and have them help you with medical transition.
Without help of a parent or guardian
The only reasons to get these drugs without their help is if you might get
- hurt or killed
- kicked out of the house
- sent away to
- a place run by your faith
- a private school
- a residential treatment facility
- another family member who won’t help you
- hurt in terms of money
- no more money for education
- no money if they die (inheritance)
- no more allowance or spending money
- no more money for activities
- forced into non-affirming or religious “therapy”
- forced to stop activities (hobbies, sports, etc.)
- cut off from seeing people who support you
It is better to get help from your family. That is the choice I hope you will make. These other options are often not as safe.
From a family planning clinic
- Planned Parenthood
- US Planned Parenthood health centers have hormones for trans adults. The usually cannot help help young trans people. The best way to find out is to call or visit your nearest Planned Parenthood health center.
- If you cannot get hormones, you may be able to get blood tests done. This can help if you are taking drugs without medical supervision.
- Some young transfeminine people have been able to get birth control pills or other drugs with hormones through a clinic. Birth control pills are not what you need. They have low doses of feminizing hormones. You would need to take a lot. They also do not have much androgen blocker, which is important for stopping you from going through puberty.
From adult friends and peers
- You might ask a trusted friend or family member who is over 18 to help you. You will need to come out to them. They might tell your family, so think hard before talking to someone.
- If you know trusted adults in your area who are making a gender change, you may be able to get one of them to help you.
- Do not ask people you meet online, even other people who say they are like you. Only ask people you have already met in person and trust.
- You can ask them to order what you want from an online pharmacy. Then you can pay them. They need to know this is probably against the law.
From your doctor
- Though this is rare, some young people have been able to get this just by asking. Tell them you have a problem that you do not want to discuss with your family. If your doctor agrees not to tell, then ask about what you want. This may not work, but if you trust your doctor, you can try.
- Another way is to start hormones from another source, and then tell your doctor that you do not want to take them without a doctor. Some doctors may help you to lower the chances of unwanted side effects. This model of care is called harm reduction.
Through legal options
- Some minors go to court to get legal emancipation from their parents. This is not easy to do, but an emancipated minor can make medical decisions without permission from their parents or guardians.
- Some minors are able to demonstrate that they are mature enough to give informed consent for medical decisions. This mature minor doctrine can in some cases be used to get medical care without parental consent.
Traveling outside your country
- Minors can not do this without permission from your family. You could have a trusted adult do this for you, but it is against the law to bring prescription drugs back into the country. Many people in towns near the US border used to go to Canada or Mexico for prescription drugs. This is harder to do now.
Ordering online or by mail
- Some people order hormones from online pharmacies.
- This can be a choice for those who do not want others to know about their hormone use.
- Buying and importing prescription drugs without a prescription is probably against the law where you live.
- Because it is against the law, you might lose the money you paid:
- No drugs sent
- Fake drugs sent
- Drugs taken by police at the border
- If you wish to take that risk, go here:
Disclaimer: This is medical talk, not medical advice. Some of this may not apply to you. It is presented without warranty. It may contain errors or omissions. You must do your own research.
Note: This page is for young people ages 13 and above.