Advice

What to Know When Transitioning MTF

Transitioning is not just a series of medical steps, but a journey toward becoming who you truly are, in body, mind, and spirit. For many trans people, it’s a time filled with discovery, hope, and healing, but it can also bring moments of uncertainty. That’s why knowing what kind of support is available along the way is very important.

Whether you’re just beginning or already exploring gender affirming services like facial feminization, this guide is here to offer clarity, reassurance, and a sense of direction. You deserve to feel seen, supported, and safe in your transition.

Emotional & Psychological Support During Your Transition

Let’s start here, because this is the foundation of it all. Transitioning touches every part of your life, not just the physical. It’s deeply emotional, and your mental health matters every step of the way.

Working with a trans-affirming psychologist or counselor can help you:

  • Explore your identity in a space free of judgment.
  • Process the emotional shifts that may arise as you move forward.
  • Develop strategies to navigate challenges in your environment.
  • Build resilience and confidence in who you are.

Also, some medical systems still require psychological assessments before certain surgeries or before beginning HRT, but more and more providers are moving toward informed consent, meaning your autonomy is at the center of care. Still, having the support of someone who “gets it” can make all the difference, no matter what stage you’re in.

What Is Gender Affirming Care?

When we talk about “gender-affirming care,” we’re not just referring to hormones or surgeries. Gender-affirming care is any service or support that helps you live in alignment with your gender identity – and that can look different for every woman.

Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)

Hormone Replacement Therapy, or HRT, is a medical treatment that helps bring your body into alignment with your gender identity. For many trans women, this involves taking estrogen and blockers, that reduce testosterone.

It can lead to changes like breast development, softer skin, reduced body hair, and emotional shifts. These effects can feel deeply affirming – but they take time, and everyone’s experience is different.

Because your health always comes first, it’s important to go through HRT with medical guidance to make sure everything stays on track and works safely for you.

And just as important: HRT is a personal choice. It can be meaningful for many, but it’s not something you need in order to be valid. Who you are is already real and worthy—with or without hormones.

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Voice and Communication Training

For some trans women, how their voice is perceived can have a big impact on their confidence every day. Voice therapy or vocal coaching can help with things like adjusting pitch, tone, and resonance, and can also support more natural-sounding feminine speech patterns.

These methods can reduce voice dysphoria without the need for surgery, though surgical options are available for those who want them.It’s not just about the sound of your voice—it’s about how you express yourself to the world and feel more authentically you.

Gender-Affirming Surgeries

Gender-affirming surgery includes a range of procedures that help align your appearance with your gender identity. These can involve different areas of the body, face, or genitalia, as well as other aspects like your voice.

These surgeries can be a deeply affirming part of your journey, helping you feel more comfortable and at home in your own body. But remember, there’s no “right” way to transition, and not everyone chooses the same procedures. Your transition is uniquely yours, and these surgeries are just one of many options available to those who feel they would be meaningful.

We have an article gathering all the gender affirming surgeries there are for trans women.

Support in Gender Expression

Sometimes, one of the most affirming things can be simply having help in expressing who you truly are. This could include wardrobe consultations, styling advice, or makeup lessons to help you feel more confident in your appearance.

It’s also about having safe spaces where you can try new looks and feel comfortable being seen for who you are. If you’re curious about it, speech, movement, and posture coaching can also be part of your journey.

Affirming your gender isn’t just about changing things – it’s about coming into yourself more fully and embracing the person you’ve always been.

You Don’t Have to Do It Alone: Agencies That Support Your Transition

Coordinating all the aspects of your transition – emotional, medical, and logistical – can feel overwhelming. That’s why there are specialized agencies whose mission is to guide, support, and advocate for you every step of the way.

These services can assist with things like finding experienced, trans-affirming medical professionals, organizing consultations, surgeries, and post-op care, and helping you navigate insurance or financing options.

If you’re traveling abroad for care, they can also help plan travel, accommodation, and recovery, making the process smoother for you.

Here are some options that can support you along your journey:

Imago

Imago is a European-based healthcare platform founded by and for trans people, offering gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT) and related services online. Their mission is to provide accessible, respectful, and science-based care while actively challenging oppressive systems that hinder trans people’ rights and well-being.​

Imago operates on a foundation of empathy, scientific integrity, and respect for human rights. They aim to dismantle dehumanizing practices in healthcare and advocate for the dignity of trans people. Their approach emphasizes self-sustainability and reinvests revenues into supporting those unable to afford care, funding legal actions against discriminatory laws, and promoting trans empowerment.

Imago’s Services

  • Gender-Affirming Hormone Therapy (GAHT): Imago provides online consultations and EU-valid prescriptions for hormone therapy, adhering to the Informed Consent Model and following WPATH Standards of Care (Version 8).
  • Mental Health Counseling: Specialized support for issues like trauma, anxiety, ADHD, and autism, with the first session offered for free.
  • Vocal Coaching: Gender-affirming voice lessons tailored to individual needs, focusing on vocal exploration and gender euphoria.
  • Fertility Counseling: Guidance on the effects of GAHT on fertility and options for gamete preservation.
  • Gender-Affirming Surgeries: As of January 2025, Imago offers access to a range of gender-affirming surgeries through partnerships with experienced surgeons committed to trans-friendly practices.

Imago’s Accessibility and Support

  • Online Access: Services are available remotely, with prescriptions delivered internationally, including to Spain.
  • Introductory Calls: Prospective patients can book a free video consultation to discuss their needs and learn more about Imago’s offerings. ​
  • Financial Assistance: Imago offers options for people to sponsor treatments for those in need, fostering a community of mutual support.
  • Continuous Care: Imago provides regular blood test reviews, treatment assessments with personalized feedback, and consultations with the overseeing doctor to ensure each patient’s well-being.
Discover Plume!

Plume

Plume Health is a virtual gender-affirming care clinic and a trusted source of community, wellness resources, and support for the trans and gender non-conforming community.

They are dedicated to providing affirming medical care, everyday health services, and fostering an inclusive community space – all online, for thousands of trans people around the United States.

Plume Health began with humble roots. Dr. Jerrica Kirkley and Dr. Matthew Wetschler shared a dream that technology could fundamentally transform healthcare for one of the country’s most vulnerable groups of patients: the trans community.

With Dr. Jerrica’s lived experience as a trans woman and their combined experience as doctors, they founded Plume Health in 2019.

Plume’s Services

  • Gender-Affirming Hormone Therapy (GAHT): Personalized treatment plans for both feminizing and masculinizing hormone therapies, including prescriptions for medications like estradiol, testosterone, and hormone blockers.
  • Mental Health Support: Access to care for conditions such as anxiety and depression, provided by clinicians experienced in trans healthcare. ​
  • Transition Support: Assistance with legal name and gender marker changes, as well as letters of support for gender-affirming surgeries.
  • Sexual Health Services: Care for issues related to sexual function, including prescriptions for medications like sildenafil and tadalafil.
  • Everyday Wellness Services: Treatment for common health concerns such as acne, allergies, insomnia, and smoking cessation.

Plume’s Accessibility and Support

Plume operates entirely online, providing care through a secure smartphone app:

  1. Enrollment: Users sign up via the Plume website or app, providing necessary personal and medical information.
  2. Consultation: Patients have video appointments with trans-informed clinicians to discuss their goals and develop personalized care plans.
  3. Ongoing Care: Members receive continuous support, including prescription management, lab work coordination, and regular follow-ups to monitor progress.
  4. Community Engagement: Access to support groups, workshops, and a community hub fosters connection and shared experiences among members.

Folx Health

FOLX Health is a U.S.-based virtual healthcare provider dedicated to delivering affirming, accessible, and comprehensive care for the LGBTQIA+ community, with a particular focus on trans and non-binary people. Their services are available nationwide, including in all 50 states.​

Folx’s Services

  1. Gender-Affirming Hormone Therapy (GAHT):
    FOLX offers personalized GAHT plans for both transfeminine and transmasculine people. Treatment options include estradiol (oral, injectable, or patch), testosterone (injectable or gel), anti-androgens, and progesterone, tailored to individual goals and health needs.​
  2. Mental Health Services:
    FOLX provides anxiety and depression treatment in all 50 states. Additionally, talk therapy with LGBTQ+ specialized therapists is available in select states, including CA, CO, FL, GA, IA, MO, NC, NM, NY, OH, OR, SC, TN, TX, VA, and WA.
  3. Primary and Sexual Health Care:
    Members have access to general wellness visits, STI testing, PrEP prescriptions, and reproductive health services, all delivered through a queer-affirming lens .​
  4. Support for Legal and Surgical Transitions:
    FOLX clinicians can provide letters for name and gender marker changes, as well as referrals and documentation for gender-affirming surgeries .​

Folx’s Availability

FOLX Health services are accessible in all 50 U.S. states. While some services, like testosterone prescriptions or therapy, may have state-specific requirements, FOLX provides detailed information based on your location.

Point of Pride

Point of Pride is a U.S.-based, trans-led nonprofit organization dedicated to providing life-saving, gender-affirming healthcare and support to trans and gender-diverse people worldwide. Founded by activist and entrepreneur Aydian Dowling, the organization has been instrumental in offering financial aid and essential resources to those in need.

Point of Pride’s Services

  • Annual Transgender Surgery Fund: Provides direct financial assistance to individuals who cannot afford gender-affirming surgeries. In 2025, the fund awarded $565,000 to 25 recipients, covering their surgical expenses. 
  • HRT Access Fund: Offers financial support for hormone replacement therapy (HRT), including 12 months of care through partnerships with providers like Plume and Folx. Services encompass telehealth visits, lab work, prescriptions, and necessary medical letters.
  • Thrive Fund: Provides small grants for gender-affirming health and wellness services not covered by other programs, such as permanent hair removal or voice therapy. In its inaugural year, the fund awarded $53,600 to 43 recipients. 
  • Free Chest Binders & Femme Shapewear: Distributes gender-affirming garments to individuals in all 50 U.S. states and over 127 countries, prioritizing trans youth, people with disabilities, and those in rural or unaffirming areas.
  • Letter-Writing Campaigns: Organizes events where volunteers write supportive letters to trans individuals, fostering community and solidarity. ​

Point of Pride’s Collaborations

Point of Pride collaborates with various healthcare providers, including Plume, Folx, QueerMed, QueerDoc, TrueU, and Spectrum: The Other Clinic, to expand access to care. Notably, the organization has been the beneficiary of the annual TikTok-a-Thon for Trans Healthcare, a livestream fundraiser hosted by trans TikTok influencers Mercury Stardust and Jory (alluringskull). Since its inception in 2022, the event has raised over $4 million to support trans healthcare initiatives.

Final Thoughts: This Is Your Journey

If you’ve made it this far, take a breath. You’re doing something courageous. Transitioning doesn’t follow one fixed path—it’s a personal, evolving journey that reflects your truth.

There’s no such thing as “not feminine enough.” No timeline you have to follow. What matters most is that you’re taking steps to feel whole, and you deserve support, dignity, and compassion every step of the way.

As a clinic that walks beside trans women through some of the most intimate, transformative moments of their lives, we’re here to remind you: you’re not alone. Whether you’re preparing for FFS, exploring HRT, or just trying to find where to start, there’s a community ready to stand with you.

Author

  • Author profile picture of Facialteam Social Media Specialist and Content Creator Victoria Vera

    Hi! I'm Victoria Vera, social media specialist and content creator at Facialteam. My journey took an exciting turn when I got the chance to be part of Facialteam – a life-changing experience! From the first minute, I've been warmly supported and encouraged by the team. I'm especially fulfilled to be able to contribute to the trans and LGBTQA+ community with our work. I look forward to meeting you soon! Let's stay connected on Facialteam's social media!

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