Starting Hormones: Female to Male (FTM)

The purpose of this booklet is to:
  • explain how hormones work
  • describe the changes to expect from testosterone
  • outline possible risks and side effects of testosterone
  • give you information about how to maximize the benefits and minimize the risks
This booklet is written specifically for people in the FTM spectrum who are considering taking testosterone. It may also be a helpful resource ​for partners, family, and friends who are wondering how testosterone works and what it does.

Starting Hormones: Male to Female (MTF)

While there are some health risks involved with hormone therapy, it can have positive and important effects on trans people's quality of life. Knowing what you can expect will help you work with your health care providers to maximize the benefits and minimize the risks. The purpose of this booklet is to:
  • explain how hormones work
  • describe the changes to expect from MTF hormones, and outline risks and possible side effects
  • give you information about how to maximize the benefits and minimize the risks
​This booklet is written specifically for people in the MTF spectrum who are considering taking hormones. It may also be a helpful resource for partners, family, and friends who are wondering how hormones work and what they do

Change Gender Marker on Birth Certificate

The policies for changing gender markers on birth certificates vary state by state, resulting in a complicated patchwork of processes across the country. This resource provides an overview of which states have a process for updating gender markers on birth certificates, and provides the basic outline of what those states’ policies look like. 

Change Gender Marker on Passport

In June 2010, the State Department announced a policy to issue passports that reflect a person’s current gender. Under this policy, a transgender person can obtain a passport reflecting their current gender by submitting certification from a physician confirming that they have had appropriate clinical treatment for gender transition. No specific medical treatment is required. This policy replaced the Department’s old policy, which required documentation of sex reassignment surgery. 

Change Gender Marker on Social Security

Under current policy, a transgender person can change their gender on their Social Security records by submitting either government-issued documentation reflecting a change, or a certification from a physician confirming that they have had appropriate clinical treatment for gender transition. 

FTM Top Surgery Guide

FTM Top Surgery is a gender affirming procedure for transgender men and non-binary individuals that creates a masculine chest. Top Surgery involves breast removal (Subcutaneous Mastectomy) and male chest contouring, and may also include free nipple grafts, or nipple/areola resizing and repositioning.
Top Surgery is the most commonly performed gender reassignment surgery for trans masculine people. Top Surgery helps one to live more comfortably, improving psychological and social functioning, and it may be the only surgical step that one takes in their transition.

MTF Surgery

MTF Surgery provides comprehensive patient education for trans women seeking Male-to-Female Transsexual Surgery, plus a directory of select Surgeons who perform MTF Surgery. Use our free resources to find the procedure and Surgeon that are right for you. 

Name Change Laws by State

Welcome to our one-stop hub for name and gender change information. Find out how to get a legal name change where you live and update your name/gender on state and federal IDs and records.
How friendly is the driver’s license gender change policy in your state?