Q: I’m relatively early on T and I’m feeling discouraged at my progress...

Q: I’m relatively early on T and I’m feeling discouraged at my progress. I’m not genetically predisposed to certain “masculine” features (like body/facial hair). Even though I’m nonbinary, I stress to people that I’m not trying to be androgynous or “twinkish,” but they still seem to think that calling me that is supportive because of my unconventional T expression. How long did it take you to feel like HRT was “working”?

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A: A lot of people overestimate how fast the effects of HRT will start to become noticeable, and then feel like they're "behind" other trans people. But honestly, everyone's bodies respond to hormones differently, and we all develop at different rates, just like with cisgender puberty! Some guys start growing facial hair when they are 15, and others don't grow a full beard until they're in their 30s. My advice is to try your best not to fixate on the things that aren't changing fast enough for you, and ask your friends and those who know and love you what they have noticed. You'd be surprised how much other people will notice changing faster than you do!