Transgender Teen Survival Guide

Ryn says:

So one of the side effects of spiro, basically, is that it makes you need to pee all the time. So you tend to get dehydrated easily. I personally am not on spiro, but a different t-blocker, but my friends who are on spiro tend to carry a water bottle around with them (usually a 1 liter nalgene-sort-of-thing) and try to fill it up a few times throughout the day. However, to prevent an electrolyte imbalance, you’re right that many transfem folks turn to pickles or pickle juice. Off of a quick search, I also turn up spinach, kale, bananas, yogurt, potatoes, oranges, several kinds of berries and nuts, and a few other things. The main thing is to make sure that you are taking in adequate levels of sodium, potassium, and calcium. I personally love bananas, especially with a little peanut butter (I also love pickles and think that there’s a pickle out there for everyone, but to each their own). Make sure you’re getting enough water and if you feel yourself getting a headache or feeling dizzy, try to eat something with some sodium or potassium to it. 

Lee says:

As far as I’m aware, trans women are required to register for the draft and you can’t get out of doing it. The government has a chart explaining who needs to register here.

The draft website says: 

“U.S. citizens or immigrants who are born male and changed their gender to female are still required to register. 

Transgender students are welcome to contact Selective Service regarding their registration requirements if they are unclear about how they should answer Question 21 or Question 22 on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), or need a status information letter from Selective Service that clarifies whether or not they are exempt from the registration requirement. This can be done by calling our Registration Information Office on 1-888-655-1825.”

More info: Selective Service and Transgender People

Lee says:

Trans people have sexual orientations just like anyone else. So a trans woman may be a lesbian and attracted to other women, or she may be straight and attracted to men. Or she may be bi, or pan, or anything else.

Trans women often aren’t attracted to people who objectify and fetishize them, but if the man sees her as woman and treats her respectfully and the trans woman in question happens to be sexually attracted to men and likes that particular man, then yeah, maybe.

Trans women are women, so trans women may be attracted to straight cis men just like some cis women are. But that doesn’t necessarily mean that a trans woman who likes men is attracted to all the men out there- it’s normal to find some guys attractive but not click with other men. 

Lee says:

Waist training isn’t exactly the same as binding, but similar guidelines apply! Don’t get one that’s too tight, don’t wear it too long, and so forth.

Kii says:

Could you specify what kind of information you’re looking for? (Dysphoria, coming out, hormones, presentation, makeup, mental health, etc)

Lee says:

You could look at our Transfeminine resources, Our Dysphoria Tips Masterpost, our info on Getting a therapist and being in therapy, and our Coming out page for starters :)

Kii says:

That’s going to depend on what the heart problem is and what kinds of things affect it. This is a good question for your doctor.

Lee says:It’s a common misconception but shaving doesn’t change hair thickness, color or rate of growth, it just gives the hair a blunt tip that feels coarse or “stubbly” for a bit as it grows out. The hair might be more noticeable and appear darker or thicker while it’s growing but it’s not actually growing back thicker or darker, it’s just an illusion because of the blunt tip.

https://transgenderteensurvivalguide.tumblr.com/post/115738047490/i-was-wondering-if-any-of-the-mods-or-followers

Lee says:If you’ve been sure about going on T thus far, it’s not likely you’ll regret it. The vast majority of trans people who medically transition don’t regret their transition and your mom is only pointing out the few cases that match her point.

Also, trans women don’t even take testosterone, they take estrogen, so her saying that mtf people regret taking T shows she has no idea what she’s talking about. I’d just try to ignore her.

Ryn says:

Hey anon! First of all, the fact that you want to help is great! If you have transfem friends that you know in real life, helping them with makeup or other skin and haircare products, helping them with their hair, or making sure they have validation can all be great ways to help. Another way to help more so on the whole is just to speak up. Call people out when they say transphobic things. Be a voice for those who feel that they can’t speak up. If you have the ability to help other trans girls with buying clothing and want to do that, that is also great! In general, just be a resource, be supportive, speak up when you can, and listen! Also remember to be safe and take care of yourself as well. 

Harper says:Yes! Check out this ask dealing with hip pads and other stuff!