How long does it take to start HRT?

[Claire.MD]

I've been seeing a counselor since the first week of August.  She told me yesterday that she will give the recommendation to start HRT once "she feels that I am ready" and that this could be anywhere from next January to right before I start medical school (in August 2015).  The waiting SUCKS.  I'm 22 and waited through college to start this process so that I would be more financially stable, but I have wanted to be female for as long as I can remember.  It seems like it's so close and waiting any longer is just torture!  How many months did it take before your counselor gave the recommendation to start HRT?

By the way, this is my first post!

[Mariah]

When it's time, you will get the recommendation. I wouldn't put any time clock on it. You really don't want to rush it before your ready. The worst of my wait was getting and then waiting the time to pass to get into the see the Endo. I had the recommendation in less than a month. Each of us moves at our own pace. Your therapist just wants to make sure it is right for you and work on any other issues that may be present or that may affect you wile being on it before recommending it.

I've been seeing a counselor since the first week of August.  She told me yesterday that she will give the recommendation to start HRT once "she feels that I am ready" and that this could be anywhere from next January to right before I start medical school (in August 2015).  The waiting SUCKS.  I'm 22 and waited through college to start this process so that I would be more financially stable, but I have wanted to be female for as long as I can remember.  It seems like it's so close and waiting any longer is just torture!  How many months did it take before your counselor gave the recommendation to start HRT?

By the way, this is my first post!

[Jenna Marie]

Wow, that's quite a range... For me, my therapist said she'd write the letter whenever I wanted, and in fact she did do so before the recommended three-month waiting period (that was in the old standards of care, now revised). Of course, it wound up being a bit over 3 months by the end b/c she couldn't figure out how to use her new computer to do it.

[QuestioningEverything]

I been seeing a therapist since june, just had my first endo appointment yesterday and another appointment next month for blood work so I still have a month+ before i can start so thats about 6+ months total before i can start.