UK Process

[newbie123]

Hello,

Can someone please explain the process in the UK!!

Initially I wanted to be prescribed hormones for a period of time, in an attempt to make my transition a little smoother!!! However I have read information which seems to suggest that here in the UK, one must complete the RLT for a year prior to HRT!! Is this correct and if so, can I purchase them via a private physician, if it is not available on the NHS??

Thanks

[Devlyn]

Here is the RLE information from our Wiki. https://www.susans.org/wiki/Real_life_experience

Also, a reminder about HRT discussions:


8. The discussion of hormone replacement therapy(HRT) and it's medications are permitted, with the following limitations:

A. You may not advocate for or against a specific medication or combinations of medication for personal gain. This is strictly prohibited.

B. You may not discuss the means to acquire HRT medications without a prescription. The discussion of self medication without a doctors supervision is prohibited.

C. The discussion of recommended or actual dosages is strongly discouraged to prevent information obtained on this site from being used to self medicate.

We can not in good conscience condone the self administering of these medications. Not only may self medication be illegal, but HRT medications can cause serious health problems, and many have the potential for life-threatening side effects that can only be detected and prevented with proper medical supervision. 




I hope this helps, hugs, Devlyn

[Asfsd4214]

Hello,

Can someone please explain the process in the UK!!

Initially I wanted to be prescribed hormones for a period of time, in an attempt to make my transition a little smoother!!! However I have read information which seems to suggest that here in the UK, one must complete the RLT for a year prior to HRT!! Is this correct and if so, can I purchase them via a private physician, if it is not available on the NHS??

Thanks

Sorry I can't explain the UK process because I am not familiar enough with it, what I can say is likely the case, is in theory doctors likely can write you a private prescription bypassing the NHS rules, however in practice I doubt many if any would be willing too.

Hopefully some of our UK family will be on soon to give you better information.

EDIT: I did a bit of googling, you might find some of the information at the following link useful.
http://www.transhealth.co.uk/pages/gender_clinic.html

They're a private transgender health group, if nothing else it would indicate that yes, in theory at least, doctors can prescribe without the RLE privately.

If memory serves however, and I could be wrong about this, apart from the fact that most GP's won't in fact do it even though they can. If they did, for some reason the UK as I seem to recall uses somewhat expensive cyproterone as it's go-to anti-androgen rather than the much cheaper spironolactone. Depends a lot on what you can pay.

Solid rule of life is with enough money you can get around almost anything.

[carolinejeo]

The NHS is a difficult ride but it does work.

Look at this and you will see:

http://www.youtube.com/user/NHSChoices

and

http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/Transhealth/Pages/Transmentalhealth.aspx

Caroline

[newbie123]

Thanks for the replies.... x