How does transitioning work?

Transitioning can be FTM (female to male) or MTF (male to female). FTM individuals are trans men, while MTF are trans women.

Individuals can choose to transition socially and/or medically.

Social transitioning includes coming out to friends or family, using gender pronouns that align with one’s gender identity (the gender which one emotionally or psychologically identifies with), dressing in a way that aligns with one’s gender identity, and/or going by a different name.

Medical transitioning for FTM individuals may include:

• hormone therapy
• male chest reconstruction, or “top surgery”
• hysterectomy
• phalloplasty

Medical transitioning for MTF individuals may include:

• hormone therapy
• breast augmentation
• orchiectomy
• laser hair removal
• penile inversion vaginoplasty

Not all transgender people decide to transition, and if they do, they may only transition socially, as medical procedures can be very expensive. Regardless of their choices, it’s important to respect all transgender people as well as their gender identities and pronouns.