How to Know if You Are Transsexual It's not uncommon for some people to realize that they are transgender at different ages. There is nothing wrong with being transsexual, or even questioning it. Not all of us will know for sure who we really are, or what kind of people we are inside. If you are questioning your gender identity, then try to explore it.AdSteps1Be patient. It can take a lot of time to know if you are really transsexual or not. If you feel that you are "late" or "too old" to be trans, you aren't. There are people out there who didn't realize they are trans (or were in a denial) until they were in their 30's, 40's, or even 50's. Remember this isn't a race; it is about self-realization. Learning about yourself is part of the first steps of feeling peace in mind.Ad2Understand what it means to be transgender. Being transgender doesn't mean you'll have a restricted life. You might see TV talk shows where trans-wo/men say they knew at an early age, and they are interested in what cis-gender wo/men are expected to be into. Understand that not all trans people had completely known at very young age nor have they always been interested in the traditional gender expections. It's okay that when you were little you liked wearing dresses, playing with action figures, or played with jump-ropes. Remember that things like clothes and picking out toys are just expressions, and not the "signs" of one's gender. Think about this, why is it okay for cisgender people to express androgenous. For example, why is it okay for a cisgender girl to be sporty and outspoken but for a transsexual girl, she "must" be feminine and sensitive, based on sterotypes about women. Gender expression and gender identity are not the same thing.Being transsexual doesn't mean you have be "gay/straight". Gender and sexuality are two different parts of one's identity. Sexual orentation is who you like and gender identity is what/who you are as a person. It's not "rare" or "irrational" to be a gay trans-person. There are many trans wo/men who are gay, bisexual, pansexual, or asexual. It actually wouldn't make any sense for all transsexuals to be in a heterosexual relationship while cis-gender people can be straight, gay, bisexual and more. Gay men and women are still cis-gender people just because they see themselves as what gender they were assigned as at birth. When people call heterosexual transsexuals "gay people", it sounds more like they are saying being transsexual is a way of continuing the "ideal and hetronormative persona", like it's "fake" or a "trick" to be part of the "average" group. It isn't about looking attractive or "normal" for others to see, it's about one's happiness and freedom.3Try to visualize your future, daydream, and fantasize about what you want in life. Where do you see yourself in 10 or 20 years? Do you see yourself as a happy older wo/man? Do see yourself as a man who's having a good time, likes being with good friends, raising a family, doing fun things, or just simply relaxing? Take your time and see what you feel. If you love having fantasies about yourself as a wo/man with someone you really like and you experienced a weird happy feeling from that, you could be transgender. Think if this is the way you want to go or not. Remember that some physical changes from hormones and surgery can be irreversible, so be sure you're willing to accept those changes.4Research transitioning. Learn about how the hormones work and see if/how surgeries will work for you. It's okay if you feel you would rather just take the hormones instead of the top or bottom surgery, or if you would rather have only the top surgery without taking hormones. There are people who are comfortable with only one or some of these options. What matters is what you are comfortable with.5Accept yourself. Learn to accept and love who you are. It's your right to express or question yourself in whatever ways you see fit. It's important for you to listen what you feel and not what people say you should feel. If you choose not to question your gender identity because you are worried of people's opinions, you could make your life worse just by not listening to yourself and always letting people get to you. You must remember that you have only a single life and you cannot let your life end with full of regrets or what ifs. You are lucky enough to have the power to explore this world.6See a Gender Therapist. Although they cannot decide what gender you truly are, they can guide you on your journey. Having a good therapist can really improve one's life. Simply letting out what you feel by talking can already help you out on figuring out your identity. It's important to ask questions and anaylze why you feel this way. Be careful and selective when choosing a gender therapist. Ask a lot trans* people who is a good therapist to have. The wrong ones will waste your time and money.