First, you go see a gender specialist, who can help diagnose you as transgender, and can give you a letter to see an endocrinologist to get all the needed bloodtests done to keep you healthy, determine the level of T you need to be on, and monitor your health for side effects.

There are other options - myself, I have been on the gel, but my current endocrinologist is talking about putting me on the injections for better control of dosage.It is a controlled substance, so you MUST have a prescription to obtain it legally. DO NOT BUY the "black market" stuff - no idea what you might be putting into your body, and without the proper bloodwork monitoring, you can really mess yourself up - s in, die. Also, if a doctor ever learns you went the "black market" route, or "self-medicated" on other forms of T, they can legally refuse to treat you, because you've shown you can't follow directions, etc.

Most people use the injections. I will likely be put on the injections in the next few months so my levels of T can be fine-tuned.

I've heard of a patch; but it seems to fall off before the T has been absorbed, so it is not used.

the only two methods I know of are shot and patch. As for getting on them you only have on course, go through the steps required which means getting a diagnosis and then getting a prescription. Any other means of doing so means that most doctors will decide to not deal with you as you could seriously harm yourself by trying to self medicate. Since you are 18 you can get on medicare/cade assuming you are not making to much money and they pay for it. So that means there is little reason for you to not be able to go. As Joe said and I am reiterating, NO BLACK MARKET. You have to understand that hormones are not like taking an asprin and can cause serious damage if not balanced correctly. This means blood work ups and dosing adjustments. As for shots. Like you I HATE needles but after a while they become much less of a thing.

Chez,

In addition to what Joe recommended. I have the following information to share:

1) The injections are easiest on the liver because they are administered intramuscularly. However, they should be administered in increments, at first, as to not shock the system as T is a very powerful drug. So, the first 3 months, should be .25 cc, the next 3 months .50 cc, the next 3 months .75 then finally 1 cc. This should be done every two weeks without fail. You would be on the 1 cc for the next 5 years. After that you may be put on 1/2 cc every week, depending on where your levels are. All the while, you will need to be under the care of an endocrinologist and you should have a full blood panel including: liver function, cholesterol levels and t levels. Also before you start T also have your thyrod levels checked and the rechecked along with the others because as you get older your thyroid function changes with T.

Now for the caveats:

2) T will atrophy your ovaries as time goes on. So you will need to have a complete hysterectomy by, at least, the first 2 years, to avoid ovarian cancer. This cannot be postpone or avoided. Also because of the effecr of T on your reproductive system, it is mandatory that you get an PAP smear every 6 months, this is not an option.

3) T will change radically everything about you, your mind will change the way you perceive life. Life as you know it shall end by the first 6 months depending upon how well you are adjusting to T. Your ability to show emotion will be stunted, but your ability to get angry will increase, so I recommend you find a therapist to help you while you adjust to T and your life as a male.

4) You may or may not go bald. You may or may not grow body hair. You may or may not be able to grow muscle but your body will change shape. Your voice will change, as well. You may or not get acne. Your sexual preference may or may not change

5) Your sex drive will be on all the time for the first 6 months. So I advice you to stay away from porn because you will develop a serious addiction otherwise.

Last but not least, learn to love and accept yourself exactly as you are right now. Accept your body as it is right now, you do not get another body but the same with a few changes. I recommend this because it will make it easier later on.

The male world is not as easy as it looks. Much will be asked of you and you wil get very little in return. However, it has its rewards if you learn to navigate it properly. All and all, be your own man and it should work out for you.

Wolf (FTM since 1987)

As a CIS-male, I'm a little surprised but I actually have useful input. My natural T dropped so low at 40 that I was about 1/3 normal. So I have used the androgel, the patch and the injections.

ABSOLUTELY get an endocrinologist on your side. You'll need occasional blood tests to make sure your dosage is right. The bootleg stuff is NOT worth it, go browse a few body builder message boards, you'll find some horror stories eventually.

Gel is a pain. You need good surface area since a THIN, WIDE SPREAD covering is best. You'll feel sticky all damn day, and in a hot summer.... yech.

The patch has a glue on it that a good percentage of people are allergic to. I had a rash for weeks.

I HATE needles too, so I feel your pain. But every couple of weeks is the usual regimen for Cis-men and transmen, from everyone I've discussed it with anyways. After a few months, it gets easier.

As for paying for it.... I suck at financial advice, sorry.