There isn't a simple test to say if the gender you were assigned at birth is correct, even if there are differences in the brains of trans and cis people.You can find the identity that suits you best with some help from the experts.If you're questioning your gender identity, get in touch with your feelings.If you have someone to support you through the process, talk to a counselor who specializes in gender identity.The most important thing is to figure out what you want, and there are many ways to identify that.
Step 1: Allow yourself to be curious.
You are probably not fully gender conforming if you are wondering if or not you might be trans.This does not mean that you are trans, but it could.It is possible that you are gender variant in another way.Why are you curious?If you are uncomfortable with your assigned gender or are attracted to the image of yourself as a different gender, you may be trans.If you don't feel like you are a man or a woman, you could be something else.If you notice that you act out of step with other cisgender people, that doesn't necessarily mean you're a trans person.You could be a man or a woman.Being transsexual is not the same as being transexual.People who have taken medical steps to permanently change their sex are referred to as transsexual.Some people may use hormones and have surgery, but not all of them.
Step 2: Think about what you wanted to do as a child.
As children, many trans people showed signs of gender dissatisfaction.A sign of gender dysphoria is persistent desires lasting more than six months.You are not the gender your parents say you are.You will grow up to be a different gender than your assigned one.During imagination games, you can be another gender.Dressing up is associated with this gender.Friends of this gender are preferred.Group activities, games, and pastimes are typical of this gender.There are toys that correspond with your assigned gender.Dislike of your own body parts.Feelings of sadness, fear, confusion, embarrassment, anger, or other emotions.
Step 3: If you identify with your social role, ask yourself if it's true.
The role that trans people are asked to play in society is alienating.If you are asked to do things with other people of the same gender, ask yourself if you feel left out.Do you feel like you are being put in the wrong box when you're asked to do something stereotypical of your assigned gender?When you are with a group of people of the same gender, notice how you feel.You may be experiencing dysphoria if you feel like you are passing for one of them but not the other.
Step 4: Take a moment to notice how your name and pronouns affect you.
Think about how you feel when you hear yourself referred to.It is possible that you are due for a change of pronoun.It's possible that the term "sir" or "ma'am" doesn't suit you.If someone refers to you as "ladies" or "gentlemen" in a group, see how you feel.If your name feels wrong, notice.Do you think it's a girls name or a boys name?When someone calls you by the pronoun of the opposite gender, how do you feel?If it makes you feel good, you may be trans.
Step 5: Look for body dysphoria.
The sense of their body being incorrect is a common experience for trans people.Some people feel trapped in their bodies.Dysphoria is a desire to change sexual characteristics.It is possible that the experience of puberty came as a shock or trauma.If you were upset by the acquisition of secondary sex characteristics, try to remember them.If you hide your body in layers of clothing, get your picture taken, or avoid mirrors, this could be a sign that you have body dysphoria.
Step 6: There's a good gender therapist.
Many psychologists, counselors, and social workers specialize in gender variance.If you have big questions, these experts can answer them.There are counselors who specialize in gender identity, gender dysphoria, or LGBT concerns.If there is a trans health clinic in your area, you should contact them to see if there are any available therapists.The American Psychologist Association locator can be used to find a psychologist who specializes in questions of gender identity in the USA.
Step 7: Talk to people about their gender variant.
Get in touch with people who are questioning their gender.LGBTQ meet up groups, community centers, and events are some places you might look at.If you're in school, you should check out the Gay Straight Alliance or the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Questioning group.You don't have to come out right away, just say you're an ally, or explain that you are questioning, but you still need to be careful.Everyone you meet won't want to talk about their gender.If you ask personal questions, some people may feel exposed.You can ask your own questions if they ask them.Write them or find a private moment to ask if you're not sure.You could say, "I've been thinking a lot about my own gender identity, and you are someone who might know about some of the questions I am having."I would love to talk to you about this if you have the time.Feel free to say no.
Step 8: Online forums are a good place to explore.
You can connect with other gender variant by looking online.Consider joining a group on social media.Don't reveal your personal information when interacting with people online.If you are between the ages of 13 and 24 years old, you can join a safe, monitored forum.
Step 9: You can give yourself the option of being a trans person.
Try to see how you feel if you think you are a trans man or woman.You might want to set aside a weekend in which you think of yourself as that gender.If you are sharing these questions with a friend, a therapist, or a family member, tell them your plans and ask for their support.Try other words.See how you feel when you refer to yourself in a different way.Call yourself "she" and "her" if you think you might be a trans woman.
Step 10: Consider gender differences.
There are many ways to express a gender.You could be gender variant, agender, bigender, or something else entirely.It's not necessary to squeeze yourself into a box if it doesn't fit you.Use "they/them" pronouns.If you don't feel like a "he" or "she", you can use gender neutral pronouns.If you decide you don't want to make a choice at all, you can take your time.Don't let other people tell you what to do.
Step 11: To express yourself, dress up.
You should experiment with clothing until you find a way of dressing that works for you.If you like certain clothing, wear it.If you were assigned male but always wanted to wear dresses, go for it.You will learn a lot from how it feels to wear what you want.If you feel genderqueer, try mixing and matching clothing.
Step 12: Consider other ways to affirm your gender.
Whatever gender you identify with, there is no one way to affirm it.What would make you feel the most yourself?If you are confused, talk to a counselor.You should consider changing your name.Asking others to call you by a different pronoun is a good idea.If you feel safe doing so, come out to people in your life.If you are questioning your gender, you can come out.Think about your body.Do you want it to be feminine or masculine?You can cut or grow your hair, take hormones, get top or bottom surgery, or change nothing.