i didn't get medical support until 18 months into the process, despite starting out on the coast where there were a lot more trans-competent doctors. this was mainly because i had incorrect ideas about how fast HRT would work and at what point there would be irreversible changes.
arguably it was my own fear that stopped me, but that fear was grounded in misinformation and lack of information.
it's sad how many times i have held back my true self because of misinformation.