[GoneGirl]

Or was it the thought that somehow the herbal route was less of a definite admission to either the world or yourself, that you wanted to pursue some form of partial or full transition, and herbs seemed a baby step you could accept?

Sammie, this part of your question struck a chord with me, and, I dare say, with the exception of a few, with most of us here being somewhere in the middle of the gender identity spectrum, I suspect it applies to most. We are not dysphoric to the extreme. Many of us have lived as men for most of our lives, although with regrets, mind you, but able to cope pretty well.

It makes sense that we would take a cautious approach to our transitioning; that is, taking it one step at a time. The very fact that many of us find ourselves doing something to relieve our transgender dissonance in our 50s and 60s is an indication of our not being sure what course of action is appropriate or practical, but wanting to explore the possibilities.

Having come this far, some of us will drop back and live out our lives as men, others will move closer and closer to embracing the female that is within us, others will discover that the full transsexual route is necessary for self-actualization. Unfortunately, some will not find an acceptable solution, and will continue to have to just cope with their gender conundrum, at least until conditions change.

I, personally, am in the "take it one step at a time" camp, and will end up wherever the trail leads.

Clara