RLE before HRT

[KaylaMadison]

So I had my first appointment with my doctor to discuss starting HRT. During our discussion she mentioned wanting me to be full time for about a month or so before starting me on hormones. Unfortanately there are no informed consent clinics anywhere near me, so this is seems to be my only option. She is going ahead with the bloodwork and all the other pre-screening stuff as well told me she would consult with my therapist so I will see if she changes her mind but I doubt it. She has a lot of experiences with the trans community and is more concerned about potential harm to the body should I back out. While I do see the reasoning that she has for the RLE and I am out everywhere except work alread, I was so hoping to be able to be further along before coming out at work. I'm going to end up going the suggested route, if this is what is required. Basically I just want to know if anyone else had to go the route of RLE before HRT, and if its just a confidence boost im needing or how you were able to cope.

-Kayla

[Jill F]

This is INSANE, very antiquated thinking and potentially dangerous.  There are lots of us who take HRT for months or even years before going full-time.  The fact is that going full time before hormones have had a chance to feminize you can do you more harm than good. 

Your doctor is exhibiting transphobic behavior.  Can you find another?   The fact is that one can back out of HRT gradually and safely. 

Any doctor who still thinks this way is clearly not up on the current standards of care.

[patrick1967]

You need to look for another doctor hun. What is your therapists take on this? What the MD is suggesting is potentially physically dangerous in a whole nother way

[Anna]

Pfft. Personally I think therapy, hormones, RLE when you want. I also feel the idea of RLE is quite bogus and humiliating though I can see a case for moderating the HRT in case it takes you too far too fast.

But I am currently being a bad girl and need to find a private doc ASAP.

[KaylaMadison]

This is INSANE

That's my thoughts too. It's hard to see any advantage in doing it this way and if feels like I'd be throwing myself to the sharks. I get that there are going to be hard days but I don't see why I shouldn't have at least some defense on my side. I believe that she's strictly interesting in what the chemicals can do to the body rather than what not having them can do to the mind.

Can you find another?

It took me months to find this person, there arent a lot of options that I've been able to find and I already had to travel 2 hours for this person, so finding someone else that isnt going to require extensive travel is would be difficult.

What is your therapists take on this?

I have an appointment with my therapist next week so I'm going to see what her take on this is.

[mrs izzy]

RLE is only after Hrt. As in the WPATH SOC and DSM V

There is reasons steps have been worked out and it is for the minimum needed to remove ones dysphoria. Again therapist putting the cart before the horse and if a doctor thinks it's unsafe then the should step in.

Time for a new therapist.

[skin]

Definitely try and see if your therapist can talk some sense into your doctor.  Maybe if your therapist informs the doctor on how barriers to health care lead many transgender people to obtain care without professional supervision, the doctor would be less strict about it.