Living Abroad with T

[Ryno]

If you go to another country, not just to visit and vacation but to live and work, how does taking T work? I know it depends on what country you're going to - I'm planning on working in Japan for a few years, in maybe ten years. Does anyone know anything about this? I've asked on other sites but the information's kind of lacking.

I'm worried about finding a doctor and pharmacy in another country to refill the prescription too. You know, being trans on top of being a foreigner and all. I am studying the language to help make the cultural transition easier but I still worry about being discriminated against and the possibility of not being able to take my testosterone. :S

It's not something I'm going to give up on just because of the risks involved with being transgender in a new environment. I get that people in Japan may treat trans people the same as people here in Canada do, but the difference is that I'm not familiar with the culture, the geography, the customs, etc. and that I don't have a support system there - no friends or family and I'm unfamiliar with the queer community. It would be the same if I were to go to France, or Ukraine, or Peru, or anywhere in the world as a trans person. It just adds a degree of anxiety to the experience of being a foreigner.

Anyone ever go to another country while taking hormones? What challenges did you face?

[schism]

http://www.japan-guide.com/forum/quereadisplay.html?0+82968 there's a discussion here about it, and an article vaguely covering the subject here http://www.japanvisitor.com/index.php?cID=459&pID=2595 if you haven't already seen these.

[Ayden]

I am in this exact situation. My boy got an awesome job in Osaka, so he leaves in March to start and I will be joining him in May after graduation. Since i will be on T by that time and he signed a three year contract, I was really worried about it. From my understanding, if you end up in a larger city then you should be able to find a clinic that can help. You will want to make sure you have your vials with dose info and your letter from your therapist/doctor.

Thanks to a guy living in Japan, I know of a few clinics I can go to. If your Japanese is decent, I can give you the websites. They are based in Osaka, but might have info on sister clinics.

[Chamillion]

I studied abroad in England while on T and it wasn't an issue. I just put all my needles in my checked bag and attached a note from my doctor just in case they opened my bag and thought it was suspicious. And there was a health clinic down the road from where I was staying so I got a sharps container from there and brought it back when it was full. I didn't face any issues at all really, and I traveled a lot while I was there with a passport that had my gender as F. No one noticed or cared I guess. Unfortunately I don't have any info about getting a new doctor in other countries since I was only there 3 months and brought enough supplies to last me... so I guess I am useless haha but I just wanted to throw in my positive experience since I know traveling as a trans person can be a bit scary.

[Kreuzfidel]

I would think that perhaps a letter from your doctor and a copy of your medical records would be acceptable for many doctors in order to prescribe your T.  But I don't know anything specific about Japan and it's processes.

[Ryno]

Hah sweet thanks guys.

Schism - I haven't seen the japanvisitor link, so thanks! I'm on japan-guide almost every day and have seen that thread. I even asked on there and the only answers I got told me to talk to my doctor before I leave. Thing is, my doctor hasn't even warmed up to the idea of putting me on T in the first place yet xD

Ayden - that sounds wicked! I'm sure three years there will be fine, especially if you've got a significant other with you. I'm jealous haha. Thanks for the advice. I am thinking of staying in Kyoto which is maybe an hour's train ride into Osaka, tops. We'll see though, this won't be happening for several years. I'm just curious now o I have an idea of what to prepare when the time does come.

Chamillion  - this is random but you look awesome dude. And nah, your post wasn't useless. Haha thanks, it's good to hear about positive experience. I was wondering about my gender on my gaijin card as well (foreign resident card) and wheter it'll have F or M on it (If I get some surgery done before I go and have all my records show M, I won't have to worry but that will cost more money than going to Japan so I'll probably go as female).