Physical and Psychological Benefits of Early Hormone Therapy
Starting hormone therapy during adolescence can offer significant physical and psychological benefits for transgender individuals. Physically, it can lead to changes such as increased height and more masculine or feminine bone structure, depending on the individual's gender identity. This is because the growth plates may still be open, allowing for additional growth. As one user noted, "If your growth plates are still open then you might even grow a little, and bone structure might form in a more masculine shape." – homicidal_bird source [citation:41e04d0e-2516-4add-9db1-fc0ddab1f071]. Psychologically, early hormone therapy can help align an individual's physical appearance with their gender identity, which can significantly improve mental health and life satisfaction.

Impact on Social Integration
The timing of hormone therapy initiation can also affect social integration for transgender teenagers. Starting hormone therapy early can help individuals pass more easily as their identified gender, which can lead to better acceptance among peers and a more comfortable social experience. As one user shared, "The pros are that you'll be able to pass and still look like other kids your age... if your classmates and friends are accepting even your social life will be different." – Beginning-Candle-541 source [citation:ac93663b-29ce-4577-8b58-2ec1a243189a]. This can be particularly important during the teenage years, a time when social acceptance is crucial for personal development.

Risks and Considerations
While there are many benefits to starting hormone therapy during adolescence, there are also risks and considerations to keep in mind. One potential risk is bone density loss when using puberty blockers, although this can be mitigated by starting hormone replacement therapy later. It's important to have medical supervision to manage potential side effects and adjust treatment as necessary. As one user cautioned, "If you don't have a doctor prescribing it you shouldn't take it. Your blood levels need to be monitored even if it is a low dose." – nuh_-_-_uh source [citation:4f0af480-6905-48fd-8162-bf3bf85a8b10].

Role of Parental Support
Parental support plays a crucial role in the success and continuation rates of hormone therapy for transgender adolescents. Supportive parents can facilitate access to necessary medical care and provide emotional support, which can lead to higher continuation rates of hormone therapy. As one user noted, "Patients who start hormones, with their parents’ assistance, before age 18 years have higher continuation rates than adults." – son-of-may source [citation:270c1e33-c909-42d4-8f70-020c7e4fab86].

Conclusion
Starting hormone therapy during adolescence can offer numerous benefits, including improved physical development, better mental health outcomes, and enhanced social integration. While there are risks to consider, such as potential bone density loss, these can often be managed with proper medical supervision. Parental support is also a key factor in the success of hormone therapy for transgender teenagers. Overall, early access to hormone therapy can be a positive step towards aligning one's physical appearance with their gender identity, leading to a more fulfilling and authentic life.