First endo appointment today. Anything advice?

[aucoraborealis]

My appointment got bumped up from the 17th to today! Huzzah

I have a few questions lined up for the doctor (mostly about sexual function), but I'm curious to know if any of you have some advice for me. Anything you wish you had asked your doctor before starting HRT?

[Ms Grace]

Chances are you won't start HRT with the first appointment as the endo will need to get a blood test first. The first visit is usually a physical with them asking a lot of health and family health history questions. My second appointment was quicker to arrange and I was back there in about ten days. Most importantly you should ask about side effects, what to expect, etc. It's likely you'll be given a low dose to start with.

[KabitTarah]

Chances are you won't start HRT with the first appointment as the endo will need to get a blood test first. The first visit is usually a physical with them asking a lot of health and family health history questions. My second appointment was quicker to arrange and I was back there in about ten days. Most importantly you should ask about side effects, what to expect, etc. It's likely you'll be given a low dose to start with.

I think that depends on the endo and what bloodwork you bring with you (or that your GP sends along).

I had my previous 3 blood tests (mainly A1c, plus my yearly physical) and my endo started me immediately as long as I only took the meds after going in for a full endo panel. Thankfully my appointment was on a Thursday and the blood lab I go to was open the next morning. I might have gone crazy if I had to wait the whole weekend with two Rx bottles in front of me!

YMMV... Endos seem to do things very differently from each other.

[Katie]

You know the hormones tend to drastically shut down the sexual desires as well as function. The thing that you might not understand at this moment is that when the desire is gone you don't miss anything.

Kind of like say you used to want to play with toys when you were a kid but now days you don't and since the desire is not there your not missing anything.

Oh and advice? Yes I have advice. Go as the woman you are because going to the doctor as a boy makes the doctor wonder how committed to this you really are.

[KabitTarah]

You know the hormones tend to drastically shut down the sexual desires as well as function. The thing that you might not understand at this moment is that when the desire is gone you don't miss anything.

Kind of like say you used to want to play with toys when you were a kid but now days you don't and since the desire is not there your not missing anything.

I miss playing with MLP with my sister... I suppose I'm just a Toys R Us kid.

[aucoraborealis]

Thanks for the replies, everyone.

I've been on HRT before, and I saw the same endo back in the day. I believe he's the only trans-specific endo in BC so he's usually booking a month or two in advance. He requires a psych referral as well as a letter from your family doctor. When he gets those, he sends over a lab requisition. He does this so he can have time to go over everything in your appointment and send you out the door with a prescription in hand. All of my blood work was handed in a month ago and he has all of my family history and health records on file. This appointment is really more to re-evaluate my transition goals and find an HRT regimen that'll work for me, as I'm not socially transitioning this time around.

Sadly, I know all about the loss of sexual desire from the four months of prior HRT experience. I have realistic expectations of how my sex life could change and my questions are tailored around that.

I've heard that progesterone can aid in breast development but haven't really researched it. Is that an old wive's tale, or is it something I should bring up with him?

[aucoraborealis]

Given my past HRT experience with no complications, he started me off at a full dose. Ooooh happy day! 

[amZo]

Given my past HRT experience with no complications, he started me off at a full dose. Ooooh happy day! 

Hoooo raaaah. 

Enjoy. 

[TessaMarie]

I've heard that progesterone can aid in breast development but haven't really researched it. Is that an old wive's tale, or is it something I should bring up with him?

I just sent an inhouse email to my HRT doc today asking if I could replace Finasteride with Prometrium.

If he agrees, then I may be able to give you an answer to that question in a few months.

My 'bust minus band' measurement has gone from 4.7" to 6.9" since starting E in June, with 0.7" of that within the past 14 days.

If I do switch to Prometrium, I'll check back in here with any changes.

[Sarah leah]

In south Australia am I required to see a doctor or a Psychiatrist first, this is the part that confuses me the most. Would a aussie please explain the steps you take to get to the endo.

Thank you 

[spx_1112]

Good luck. Keep us posted

[Teela Renee]

Thanks for the replies, everyone.

I've been on HRT before, and I saw the same endo back in the day. I believe he's the only trans-specific endo in BC so he's usually booking a month or two in advance. He requires a psych referral as well as a letter from your family doctor. When he gets those, he sends over a lab requisition. He does this so he can have time to go over everything in your appointment and send you out the door with a prescription in hand. All of my blood work was handed in a month ago and he has all of my family history and health records on file. This appointment is really more to re-evaluate my transition goals and find an HRT regimen that'll work for me, as I'm not socially transitioning this time around.

Sadly, I know all about the loss of sexual desire from the four months of prior HRT experience. I have realistic expectations of how my sex life could change and my questions are tailored around that.

I've heard that progesterone can aid in breast development but haven't really researched it. Is that an old wive's tale, or is it something I should bring up with him?

Progesterone is a 50/50 in my opinion it can help and it might not help.  My endo only puts people on it if they have insane mood swings on HRT, to try and balance them out, then once they are on a level playing field treats them for anything like depression ect ect.