A Guide To FTM/FTN Transition
We all should have the right to access health care without discrimination and barriers to care. This, of course, includes gender-affirming healthcare for transgender folks.
Lately, state and federal attacks on LGBTQ+ people have increased. There is also often a lack of accessible information on gender affirming care. In this environment, knowledge is power.
This blog sets out to provide information for female-to-male transitions and female-to-nonbinary journeys. Transgender men and nonbinary individuals may need unique care. We are here to provide information to trans masc folks at every stage of the journey.
There are many different ways individuals may choose to (or have access to) approach gender transition. Remember, there are no steps required to validate your gender identity. Transition for trans men and non-binary folks may vary from person to person. However, you may choose to engage in one or more of the following to affirm your gender identity.
Social Transition For Trans Masc Folks
Society tends to focus on the medical changes when it comes to transition. However, the journey to be your most authentic self includes many other aspects, including social transition.
Social transition is the process of aligning your social and personal life with your gender identity. Many folks begin their journey here as they work toward the requirements for medical or surgical transition. For other folks, social transition is the only step, as they are not interested in the medical aspects.
Social transition may include:
Coming out to friends, family, and work. See here for more information: Trevor Project - Coming out handbook
Changing your clothing or hairstyle to affirm your gender identity
Changing your name and/or pronouns to affirm gender identity
Packing is a technique used to create a bulge and appearance of having a penis. To learn more about different types of packers and where to buy them, see more information here: A Guide to Packing.
Chest Binding is a technique used to create the appearance of a flatter chest. There are many ways people can bind, and it is essential to consider safety, as binding can cause health risks. Please refer to the following guide for safe binding and resources on where to access free or low-cost binders. A Guide to Safe Binding.
Legal Transition For Transgender Utahns
Legal transition is another facet of transition. While social transition focuses on changes to your presentation, many folks seek legal recognition of their correct gender. This may include updating legal documents to your correct name and gender marker. Birth certificates, driver’s licenses, passports, and other forms of ID are generally the most crucial documents to update.
Requirements for legal transition vary by the state you live in, as well as the state where your birth certificate was issued. While some folks can navigate the process on their own, others choose to hire an attorney to help them.
The process for legal transition in Utah involves several steps.
Utah has made this process quite complicated. You must complete each step in a specific order. You can find the details here: Petition for Name/Sex Marker Change.
The process requires a letter of “evidence of care.” A physician or therapist can provide this letter. Our clinicians at Arches are well-trained to satisfy these legal requirements.
Arches charges a flat fee of $120 to provide these letters.
The state charges a $375 filing fee when an individual is petitioning for a name or gender marker change. Fee waivers may be available based on income level.
For more details, click here: Instructions for Name Change.
This process may take a couple of months to complete. Be patient: We know it’s hard!
Navigating Medical Transition in Utah
Medical Transition involves medical interventions to modify physical characteristics to better align with one’s gender identity.
Hormone replacement therapy helps individuals achieve a physical appearance that more closely aligns with their gender identity. HRT for trans men often includes testosterone. This promotes the development of secondary male sex characteristics. This may include body hair growth, voice deepening, muscle development, and clitoral enlargement.
Testosterone also helps suppress secondary female sex characteristics. There are multiple methods of hormone administration, including injections, gels, and patches. Learn more here: Hormone Therapy Information.
Medical transition may also involve gender affirming surgery, which may include:
Top surgery involves the removal of breast tissue. It may also reshape and flatten the chest to better align with gender identity.
There are multiple techniques and incision options available based on an individual's goals, chest size, and skin elasticity. See more information on surgery types here: Types of Top Surgery
Utah requires a letter from a qualified mental health professional documenting a gender dysphoria diagnosis. The letter must be dated within 12 months of the surgical consult to meet insurance requirements. Our Arches therapists can provide these letters.
Hormone replacement therapy is not a prerequisite to receiving top surgery in Utah.
Refer to the attached guide for more information on recovery: Top Surgery After-Care Guide.
Body Masculinization Surgery (BMS) includes body contouring to target areas of the body that provoke gender dysphoria (eg, pectoral implants, skin tightening, skin excision). See more here: Body Masculinization Surgery.
Facial Masculinization Surgery (FMS) refers to procedures that alter the appearance of facial features to align with gender identity. Learn more here: Facial Masculinization Surgery.
Bottom Surgery refers to procedures that alter internal and external reproductive organs. Some common surgeries include:
Hysterectomy and/or Oophorectomy involve the removal of the uterus and/or ovaries
Vaginectomy is the removal of the vaginal canal
Metoidioplasty is a surgical technique used to lengthen existing genital tissue to create a phallus.
Phalloplasty is a surgical technique that uses other tissue from the body to create a penis.
Learn more about bottom surgery here: Guide to Bottom Surgery.
Resources For Medical Transition in Utah
Different insurance companies offer varying coverage for gender-affirming care. Some carriers are more permissive and cover a broader range of care. One provider may cover everything from FMS to bottom surgery and beyond, while others may only cover bottom surgery. Other carriers may not cover gender-affirming surgery at all.
If you have a good relationship with your employer, it may be worthwhile to ask them to choose a policy that supports transgender individuals. Your employer may be willing to shop for the right plan, but they may not know what to look for or understand how important coverage is for trans folks. If you have a partner, it can also be helpful to compare the coverage on their plan with yours to find the best options.
We recommend researching your policy and provider before beginning care. Understanding your coverage in advance can reduce stress and prevent financial surprises.
Some gender affirming clinics in Utah include:
Salt Lake City Gender Affirming Hormone Therapy
LGBTQ+ Health at Intermountain
Find Your Community
It can feel isolating to navigate this journey on your own, but you’re not alone. Finding a supportive community can help manage anxiety and stress. Sharing space with other transgender and non-binary folks can help you normalize your experiences.
You can also ask other folks for advice and share resources. You don’t need to reinvent the wheel, and many people have overcome the same obstacles you’re facing. We encourage you to look to others and see what has worked for them. It can save you time, money, and stress to learn what has worked for other folks in your community.
Here are some organizations that bring transgender Utahns together:
Events | Under the Umbrella Bookstore & Cafe | A Queer Little Bookstore
For a more detailed guide to FTM transition, check out the Gender Confirmation Center’s Guide to Transition.
It’s okay to take your time. Transitioning is a process. At Arches Healing & Growth, we’re here to help.
