How young is too young for a sex change operation (&/or hormones)?

well medically boys hormones don't settle out until at least 2 and a half years after they really start. once they HAVE settled out. You wanna talk to a doctor about it, because it may be better for him to do it now before they settle out or it may be that he should wait until his hormones settle out. if he still feels this way then 17 or 18 is probably ok medically to begin the process of changing. Your doctor will require him to enter counseling so it might not be a bad idea to start him with it now. and If he is gonna go through with this then the doctor will make him go through life as a girl for a full year before the operation anyway, to make sure he can stand the process and all the accompanying life changes. Sometimes boys think that girls have an easier life and don't really understand what being a girl entails. One thing you really need to take into account though is his school. If you want him to have a chance to fit in you'll probably need to change schools so that no one in the new school will associate HER with the boy he was.

Also, Counselling is a good thing to begin now because a lot of trans-gendered people have a lot of other issues that surround the process.

One thing you need to know though is that most people who are trans-gendered DO start to recognize it at a VERY early age. So in that he is not all that unusual.

Ugh! I can't believe I typed out all those answers and you're talking about a transgendered 13 year old who will probably not be wearing makeup to school next week!

I don't know, but definitely get in touch with a LGTB group on your area. There may even be a support group for parents of transgendered kids, if you live near a large city. Either way, I'm sure there are internet support groups.

I still say work with him. Maybe you will still buy him clothes from the boys department, but he can start choosing colors and styles that suit his tastes better. He can learn to sew and earn extra money by walking dogs so he can buy fabric to make the clothes he needs. Sure, girls clothes would fit him now, but soon he will need special clothes.

Eli, isolated parts of the country are the least tolerant of LGBT issues. Anyway, who can afford to move to the middle of nowhere because a 13 year old in the family has an unusual issue. 13 year olds are full of issues!

It's actually not too young for him to feel this way and I'd suggest getting him in therapy for evaluation. The process to actually change genders takes years and he would probably be about 18 by the time a decision to actually go through with it would be made. In any case, getting in therapy would help him to explore what he's feeling, make sure it's for the right reasons and to get him on the right path to make the change if it does come to that. Most transgendered feel that they were "born in the wrong body" from a very young age so it's not unheard of for someone to feel this way this young. I actually believe that the youngest person to start hormone therapy was a 12 year old Russian boy who had been in therapy for a couple years prior to starting the therapy.

I smell troll here, but screw it, I'm gonna answer anyway.

There have been cases of children of this age (and younger) who believe themselves transgendered, and there is a lot of debate.

Firstly, the law regarding anyone who wishes to have gender re-assignment surgery states that the person must undergo counseling and live as their chosen gender for at least 2 years before they will be given hormones, then between another 2 - 5 years for completion of gender reassignment (including final surgical procedures)

The case for children who are transgendered - some doctors argue that it is best to begin hormone therapy before they hit puberty, as this will halt the pubic processes of the gender in which they were born, and allow for a smoother transition and more natural result.

Other doctors argue that it is best to wait until the child has finished puberty and has reached an age, both physically and emotionally, where they are more able to fully understand the consequences of gender reassignment, and thus make decisions regarding surgery, etc, with an adult understanding, as children below this age my not fully understand, and may find that they change their mind later in life (Gender reassignment is non-reversible, as far as the reproductive system is concerned.)

I am going to make the assumption that this is a legitimate question.

No being 13 is a good age to begin.

First he and I say he without the benefit of a proper diagnosis, need to see a gender trained therapist. I suggest for the best results a PHD in Psychology. This therapist can help your child to comprehend what is going on and to make a proper diagnosis of gender dysphoria.

Once you have determined that your child is truly your daughter you might try to contact the Transgender Youth Family Assoc. TYFA at www.imatyfa.org This organization provides YOU the parent and family with good support and knowledge that can easily help you all through this to help your child to responsibly deal with this enormous task to normalcy.

For what it is worth I and virtually every other transsexual man and woman would have been incredibly happier and led far more fruit-full lives had we been able to do so at such and early age. By doing so you reverse the pain and difficulties associated with going through puberty and the teenage years the WRONG WAY!

If you are truly loving parents you will seek proper medical attention a properly and responsibly see to it that your child gets their help when needed most,,,now!

Sharon

You just do not make an appointment for a sex change operation and set a scheduled date and show up, you know.

There are psycho analysts to interview your son and doctors to examine him. He may be required to live the lifestyle as a girl prior to any surgery .He may even have to wait until he goes through puberty prior to any surgery.

The answers you seek cannot be found here. Please consult a specialist in order to find how to deal with this news as there is much more to it than I think you realize.

I can only imagine how you feel about this news while you and your husband may need some counseling yourselves. Adjusting to this new lifestyle is a big change and I am sure it will be easier to be supportive once you grasp what is happening here.

Do not agree to do anything permanent to your son's body until he is an adult. That would be totally irresponsible.

Doctors won't do gender reassignment until they are convinced it's the right thing for the patient. It's takes years of therapy and several years of living as a woman, full time, before anyone in the US will do the procedure. It's not going to happen now or even in the near future.

He isn't too young to feel this way but he is too young to go through with it.He needs to go to counseling so they can decide if this is what he really wants.My friend's father is transgered and he was required to attend therapy classes until he (she now) was able to go through with the hormone therapy and operation.

they have sex change specialists that determine if the change is correct for that person.it could take years before he is allowed to transform.

Yes, he is too young. The start of adolescence is when all of his hormones are coming into play. You can thank your public educational system for this... All kids go through a struggle to become adults. Think back to when you were young, if you were a guy, you may have thought girls had 'cooties' until you noticed they also had breasts and were attractive, and smelled better than most guys.

However, thanks to a perverted society (look at their role models in music, and other athletes and celebrities), and the wrong messages parents allow to come through TV and the internet, this all adds to this sexual confusion. He is also CONFUSED because of the public education he has received stating that it is NORMAL to be anything he wants to be sexually, and question how he was created and/or to change sexes on a whim.

Teach him what it is to be a man. You can get lab tests done to PROVE his genetics, and that his hormones, and chromosomes all prove he is a male. But my guess is by now, he may be so brain-washed that he won't listen to facts or evidences. You WILL NOT be doing him any favors if you cater to his confusion. Do NOT fall for this! It is UP TO THE PARENTS to make responsible decisions for the child. Please make the right one!

Cvjed,are all these questions about makeup and nail polish about your son? In my opinion i would get him into some counseling before going out and buying girls clothes or even thinking about sex change. maybe he is just confused.