This might be controversial, but for me personally, I would tell myself to not be so afraid to try HRT, that I’m going to take it later anyway, and that I would regret not starting earlier.
I ended up getting HRT off the Internet at 21, but I knew about DIY HRT, and was tempted to buy it, back when I was around 16 years old.
I am interested but very... Nervous? Anxious? Afraid maybe. I don't know enough of the negative side effects and really need to do some research. I have a very superficial understanding atm.
Mostly I was nervous about people noticing that I’m trans. I really thought that I would look like a super masculine guy but with big breasts. Eventually I got to a point where I didn’t care what I looked like, I just needed to try transitioning. Luckily things turned out well for me in terms of appearance, but you know, it could’ve been better if I started when I first knew I was trans.
At the time, my mental health was pretty poor, so I didn’t really care about side effects (fortunately I’m doing a lot better now).
You women are really starting to sell me on hormones, Holy shit! One of my biggest concerns is what about body hair? I'm a fuckin bear right now, would that just stop, or does it require full body electrolysis?
In time it thins; but never stops. Body hair is a burden among transfems, but don't let that be what stops you. Honestly, if you're considering HRT to such a degree, it's well worth trying. I can't describe the mental clarity I experienced within the first week.
My patchy back hair stopped after 16'ish months. My body hair stopped and/or thinned to where its either translucent, villous hair on my tummy or a few dark hairs across my breasts.
The only place currently needing electrolysis is my face and later the groin area for GRS consideration.
I'm finally DIYing at 18. I waited because I thought I would be able to do it legit once I turned, but I'm still in purgatory for the foreseeable future so I'm doing it myself