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At What Age Do You Think...

Discussion in 'Chit Chat' started by iiimee, Jul 8, 2016.

?

At What Age Should A Transgender Person Be Able To Start HRT? (At Youngest)

  1. Childhood (Under twelve)

    16.0%
  2. Teenagehood (13-17)

    70.0%
  3. Young Adulthood (18+)

    14.0%
  4. Once they're in their older years (40+)

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%
  5. Transgender people shouldn't transition.

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%
  1. iiimee

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    It's okay to allow somebody to start on HRT? Like, imagine somebody knew they were trans since they could talk: Would you still say they should wait up until a certain age before they can take HRT if they want to?

    Please note that this question is what you PERSONALLY think- You don't have to think laws must enforce your opinion to have it. Personally, I think that if a child is REALLY sure, they should be able to get on hormone blockers, but until the child is at least 8 I struggle to think that something as serious as testosterone or estrogen is okay for them... Still, hormone blockers are perfectly fine for them in my opinion. :/
     
    #1 iiimee, Jul 8, 2016
    Last edited: Jul 8, 2016
  2. Glowing Eyes

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    I personally would want to be at least 13 but I don't think that needs to be the limit. I'd say kids younger than that should be allowed.
     
  3. Althidon

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    I personally think that children should start blockers whenever they start puberty (for some kids that's as young as 8 or 9) but they shouldn't start hormones until about 12 or 13. The dosages used for hormones on most kids imitate mid to late puberty. It's more appropriate to wait to give those medications until an age where most of their peers are starting to develop the same characteristics that HRT will give. Waiting much later than 14 or so seems cruel, as they will be obviously physically behind their peers.

    Unless a doctor tells us otherwise and has good reasons for starting earlier, that's the route we'll be taking with my daughter.
     
    #3 Althidon, Jul 8, 2016
    Last edited: Jul 8, 2016
  4. Andrew99

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    The sooner the better IMO.
     
  5. Chip

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    This is such a heart-wrenching decision. I think anyone who is thinking about this issue should watch the wonderful documentary "Growing Up Trans."

    There are compelling arguments for doing it as early as possible (in any case, before puberty). Alternatively, puberty blockers can be used to "buy time" to allow deeper consideration.

    There are also compelling concerns about using these powerful hormones (as well as puberty blockers) on a young, developing body. There's no data on safety, and pretty much every credible endocrinologist who works with trans individuals acknowledges that there's no good answer here.

    Add to that the data that shows that some portion (30-40%?) of kids who experience gender dysphoria at a young age have it resolve spontaneously without transitioning (i.e., the dysphoria resolves in line with their birth sex), the fact that the decision to use hormones is essentially irreversible, and there are a significant portion of people who are profoundly unhappy after transitioning and regret their decision... and it becomes a very, very difficult decision to make.

    It's easy to say "let the child decide" and I think if I were in the position of being a parent in this situation, I would lean in the direction of letting the child take the lead in exploring that decision and work with therapists and gender specialists to explore and weigh the decision. But I can't say that I don't have concerns with that approach. And at the same time, I have concerns with doing nothing, delaying, or other approaches as well.

    A vexing problem for sure.
     
  6. BryanM

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    I think that the science is generally saying the sooner the better, and I think that puberty blockers should be a no-brainer until they reach the age puberty usually begins at. Ultimately it's up to them when to start HRT after that, but I have no problems with teens being on HRT if they are fully aware of what they are doing.
     
  7. iiimee

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    Sorry to change the topic, but great news guys! ^_^ My mom just sat me down and went on a long rant about how she wants me and what's best for me, how she doesn't care if I'm Autumn or Chase, how I shouldn't worry about what my father thinks, (He's not transphobic, but he wants me to wait until I'm significantly older than I am to make important decisions...) and how she'd basically be searching for another gender and phobia therapist for me... Phobia first though, I think, because she wants me to be sure I can take the pressure of needles and getting my blood drawn before I really commit- I need to at least be able to not scream or cry non-stop when they do it. X_X Anyway, I'm really happy... She just kept saying how she and everyone else loved me. <3 And that's true- Not one person who's close to me doesn't accept me, and the majority of people I knew before my transition still accept me now. ^_^ I guess this is the liberal city, but Kentucky's a conservative place... I'm so happy to have support, and since my high school's trans-friendly and has a zero-bullying policy that's pretty well-enforced, I should be fine... Oh, and I'm getting my name changed soon! I told my mom not to rush since I know she's busy, but she promised that when she goes to get my sister registered for school here, she'll sign the papers and have my dad sign them. If he doesn't, she'll see him in court, but she's pretty certain he will...
     
  8. Izzy H

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    anyone at anytime should be able to if they and the doc knows its right for them.
     
  9. Hawk

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    I'd say at 13, when kids are starting puberty so they can at least go on blockers if they need.
     
  10. Daydreamer1

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    Access to blockers should definitely be available as early as possible. HRT in general, I'm for as well, though I do worry about problems arising if a kid realizes they're not trans later on down the line, and are stuck with irreversible changes. That would be my one worry, even if they're in good hands.
     
  11. Matto_Corvo

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    Blockers as soon as they start puberty
    Hormones not infill somewhere between 18-22
     
  12. Aberrance

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    Depends on the person. If they're below 18 then they should be able to get on blockers and once they've been on them a year and have been assessed again they should be able to get hormones if they're certain and have been for a long time. Over 18s should be able to get hormones on an informed consent basis.
     
  13. Invidia

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    I think this would be problematic, since if someone started puberty at 10, started blockers, but didn't start any other hormones until they're 20, they could get skeletal issues, I think. Sex hormones are related in the development of bones.

    I think trans kids/teens should be allowed to enjoy a regular puberty when they would otherwise hit puberty; I've read that many kids start (in the West, I think this was about in particular) puberty earlier these days. Diet, for example, is supposed to have something to do with it. So when they start, whether that be at age 9 or age 15, they should be allowed hormones in normal dosages, I think. I don't really think that if e.g. a young trans girl said "I want big boobs now!" that she should be granted extra hormones maybe though. Rather I would say a normal puberty with normal hormone levels are due them by a society that aims for the best for its citizens.
     
  14. AmyBee

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    I think the blockers as soon as possible and hormones later. My heart says at around puberty so they can go through the pubertal changes appropriate for their gender but at the same time there is that phrase someone else used, informed consent. As desirable as having the correct puberty for your gender is, also being able to make certain medical decisions with a full understanding of the risks of organ damage, increased chances of certain kinds of cancer and the like. None of that would have changed my mind if this had been my options when I was that age, though. As an adult, I've really had to reassess that part of my transition.
     
  15. dgk

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    I personally think 16 is a good age, but that's not an option so I said 18 instead. This opinion is based on how I used to think I was trans for a year and a half and if I followed through with blockers and T, it would have caused non reversable changes. I persoanlly don't care what others do though, it's just my opinion!
     
  16. RainbowGreen

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    Considering those hormones basically cause puberty, don't give it to people who are too young to HAVE puberty to begin with. I'd say 14 is alright (it's what it is here), while allowing blockers before that.
     
  17. QueerTransEnby

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    I think it is up to the person themselves. If they have any doubts and are questioning, I think they should wait. Otherwise, I think the story of someone like Jazz Jennings shows that it is important to start as soon as possible before puberty hits. But the parents should have some say.