HRT Prereqsuisites?

[pidgeontoed]

Recently, I've been thinking more and more about starting HRT as soon as I can, and I'm planning on bringing this up with my therapist at my next appointment in just over a week. Before that happens, though, I'd like to inquire at the vast knowledge shared by all you great folks here at Susan's.

It probably varies by location and who you talk to, but is there a requirement of full-time amount before HRT can be given? Is there usually a need for a professional recommendation? Right now I'm getting to a point where I'm comfortably out (losing track of which friends don't know) and have had great reception from my closest friends and family. The problem is that I'm a bit uncertain as to whether I can go full time without any HRT. Without making steps forward in actual transition, I'll feel as though I am simply dressing up and that could cause problems for my mental well-being.

Just something I've been thinking about recently. At the earliest, I figure that I'd have to wait until the semester ends since I don't want to mess with something that could potentially alter my moods greatly during my last semester of college. Also, it would be a great graduation present to myself

Thanks and good night to those of us in the Americas!

[Annah]

In the United States you do not need to be fulltime in order for your therapist to approve you for HRT.

Matter of fact, I was still fully presenting male...beard and everything.

The most important thing in the consideration of HRT is how your therapist sees you. Meaning, she or he will consider if you are ready for the next step. I had about three sessions before I was given HRT. I think what helped her was my optimism and my realistic approaches to the transition.

I once asked her if she has a rubric when deciding HRT (after she gave me the letters). She said she tends to wait longer if her clients were very depressed or exhibited other symptoms that did not attribute from being trans (multiple personality disorder, schizophrenia, extreme bi polar, etc etc).

Hope that helps!

[japple]

My doctor started me on Spironlactone with no therapist letter. She wanted some letter when starting Estrogen.

The letter wasn't much, she wanted to know that I was in therapy for a while and that I had planned to stay in.

My therapist wrote the letter as soon as i told her that the doctor was requesting it. It was no big deal at all. Granted, I had been seeing her for a year before I asked and had seen gender therapists in my early 20s.

It's getting easier and easier to get hormones.

[Tazia of the Omineca]

 just told my doctor I've felt the same since 5, so she was pretty sure HRT was not a problem.
She just made me wait 2 weeks to do some research. Then it was all fine and dandy from there out.

[JennX]

Full-tme or real-life experience prior to HRT is not required. Most therapists will make you wait till after 3 months of counseling before writing a recommendation letter for HRT to your doc. However, this is more of a general guide-line... not a strict rule set in stone. I'd try to find a good therapist with either a PhD or PhD/MD with lots of experience with gender issues, and go from there. A good therapist makes all the difference in the world.

[pidgeontoed]

Thanks for the input everyone! It's good to know that it is possible. I've been considering whether or not it's worth the risk of changing something so mood regulating like hormones in my last semester at school. As of now, I think I'm leaning towards "wait til graduation you idiot!" but I guess this is a conversation I will have to get to the bottom of with my therapist. I'll bring it up at our next appointment on the 14th. Yes, my valentine's date is my therapist and I couldn't be happier about it! No pressure, she won't talk the whole time and actually listens to me!

[Annah]

Congratulations on your visit. I hope it's the beginning of a wonderful journey.

[SandraJane]

Thanks for the input everyone! It's good to know that it is possible. I've been considering whether or not it's worth the risk of changing something so mood regulating like hormones in my last semester at school. As of now, I think I'm leaning towards "wait til graduation you idiot!" but I guess this is a conversation I will have to get to the bottom of with my therapist. I'll bring it up at our next appointment on the 14th. Yes, my valentine's date is my therapist and I couldn't be happier about it! No pressure, she won't talk the whole time and actually listens to me!

Wait for graduation? Why not! I recently started Spiro, my Endo gave me a choice starting out first on E or Spiro, took the Spiro. It was better for me, had the same reservations except was concerning work starting in a different position. In 90 days I'll start E.

Its your transition, be comfortable and start when you are ready.

[pidgeontoed]

Thanks Annah

My main reservation with waiting til graduation is that I'm already on anti-depressants to help my mood level out so I can concentrate on my schoolwork, so I'd be worried that it would get thrown out of whack with hormonal changes until that dosage gets balanced. Don't want to screw with my chances of graduation because of transition haha I've waited 23 years, so why not a few months more?