Let me see your hips SWING!

Sad fact: FTMs generally have larger hips than bio males. I know my hips are larger than I would like them to be (especially since I wear skinny jeans). I get quite frustrated with them.

Did you know that there are boxers that you can get that will slim your hips? The lovely website where most FTMs buy their binders, underworks.com, has those boxers. They call them "compression shorts." On that website, they cost $25.

I had been considering getting a pair or two in order to help my hips slim down. I will have to pay for my surgeries and t and everything out of pocket, so I wasn't sure if I wanted to fork over money for those too.

I needed some new boxers, but I didn't want to pay $25 a pair. So I went to Walmart to get some regular boxer-briefs. I was looking around and what did I find? Compression shorts. They aren't designed for FTMs, but I thought, "Why not?" They were only $7 and I didn't really have anything to lose.

I bought a pair. I think they are amazing. They might not give as smooth of hips as the ones designed for us would, but it's enough for me. They are Starter brand. They are made for guys to work out in so they aren't "free-ballin." They come in different colors. I believe they had black, blue, gray, and red. I got the red ones.

I thought you guys might like to know about this great opportunity to acquire some good compression shorts. I mean, there are Walmarts everywhere.

I hope this helped you guys! Have a great day!

The Problem With "Passing"

Alright, there is somewhat of a controversy over the word "passing" when refering to trans people. Some feel like it implies that we are trying to "pass" as something we are not. These people that oppose the word prefer the word "presenting." They feel it is more appropriate.

Honestly, I think this is just stupid. "Passing" is a term that has been used for a long time and I think it still works well. I take it as you are able to "pass" society's standards for what a male/female is. If society can see you as what you want it to, it's like you "passed" a test. I just think it makes sense and is easy.

I don't quite understand "presenting." I get that it's like you're "presenting" yourself as male/female, but how is that any better than "passing?" I just think it is a stupid change that doesn't really make anything better. But that's just my opinion.

Feel free to email me your opinions. I would love to get your opinions on the issue so I could post what you feel too. Or if you feel I left something out, I'd love to know. You will, of course, be credited with whatever you share with me.

So please let me know.
TheAidenApocalypse@gmail.com

FTM Terminology

Binding: flattening one's breast tissue to make a male-appearing chest

Cypionate: Short for testosterone cypionate. One of the most common testosterone types for ftms.

Enanthate: Short for testosterone enanthate. Another one of the most common testosterone types for ftms.

F2M: See "FTM"

Female-to-male transsexual: A person who was born in a female body, but whose gender identity is male.

FTM: Short for "female-to-male"

Gender dysphoria: A term coined by psychologists and medical doctors that refers to the state of discomfort felt by transsexuals and some transgender people caused by the incongruity between one's physical sex and one's gender identity. When you want to make an appointment with a therapist, this is the reason you give them for the need to meet with them.

Gender Identity: One's internal feeling of being male, female, or somewhere in between.

Genderqueer: Someone whose gender identity is neither male or female.

Hermaphrodite: An outdated term for intersexed

Packing: Creating a male-looking/male-feeling bulge in one's crotch

Passing: In FTM terms, being seen as male by others. (Many object to this term and I'll make a post about the controversy)

STP device: Short for "stand-to-pee" device. A device designed to pee into a urinal or toilet standing up.

Stealth: After a transman has transitioned, he may not disclose the fact that he is transsexual to those around him

Shoes And Lifts

Most stores don't carry shoes smaller than a men's size 7. Trans guys tend to have smaller feet than bio males. So it's harder to find shoes. (I'm lucky because I have big feet. Size 9)

The internet is the best place for you to find smaller sizes. First, you should get your feet measured by a professional at a shoe store. If they don't have shoes in your size, go home and order some from online. If they have your size, you're a lucky duck and can choose to get a pair from the store or go home and order some.

Another issue can be helped/solved by shoes: height. You can get lifts for inside your shoes to give you a little more height. You could also get shoes with lifts made into them. The issue with shoes with lifts inside is that only that pair of shoes will add height, where as lifts can be moved from pair to pair. However, shoes with lifts already inside tend to be more comfortable and fit better.

I'm going to focus on the removable lifts because I find them to be a better option. I have a lot of shoes and would like to be taller in all of them. Lifts can be made of cork, plastic, or foam. They should be replaced every few months because of hygienic reasons. You might want to use lifts gradually so you don't get really tall really fast. Lifts can be uncomfortable and might not fit in smaller size shoes.

Obviously there are advantages and disadvantages to both lift options. I find the removable ones better, but that's just my opinion. I'm about 5'6" and would love a little extra height. And I want to be able to wear all my pairs of shoes.

Choose whatever option you like best. Maybe you don't need either because you're tall enough. I hope I helped at least a little.

Here are links to lifts:
http://www.tallerheels.com/
http://www.talleryou.com/
I think the second link has better availible heights and also has sample packs with great deals.


And here are links to lifting shoes:
http://www.elevatorshoes.com/
http://www.walktallshoes.com/
http://www.tallmenshoes.com/
The last link has the most options.

Binder Help

Let's face it, the economy is bad. And binders aren't exactly cheap. After transguys have their surgery, they don't need binders anymore. What do you think happens to those binders? There are sites that will help trans guys get the binders they need. After guys have their surgery, a lot of them donate them to programs that will recycle them and give them to guys that need them. After I have surgery, you can bet I'll be donating my binders. I wish I could have found these programs when I needed them.
I'll link it up for you guys.
http://inabind.transactiveonline.org/
http://www.thetransitionalmale.com/BBUB.html

The first link is for guys 21 and younger. The second is for 22 and up.

Any questions about the programs, ask the people in charge.

Packing

Not all trans guys pack. Personally, I do. There a places all over the web where you can purchase packers. They cost money which you might not have right now. I use a sock right now. I just turn it halfway inside-out. Use a decent sized sock when doing this. Little ankle socks probably won't make any visible difference. I think it works well enough for right now.

If you are packing for the first time, you might want to do a bit of research. Look at pictures of men in swin trunks, underwear, and jeans. You want your pack to look realistic, not like you have a tumor or something.

If you are buying a packer, be realistic. If you are a short guy, don't get the biggest packer you can find! Get one to match your skin tone. They aren't super expensive and will work the best for packing.

In my post about STP devices, I talked about packers that can be used in the restroom. They kill two birds with one stone; they pack your pants AND make it so you can pee standing. They are more expensive but probably worth it over all. I plan on getting one.

Any questions I didn't answer? Shoot me an email. TheAidenApocalypse@gmail.com