gynecologist visit

[jasperbeauclair]

im 18 and ive never been to a gynecologist before. besides the fact i dont want anyone down there with the girl bits... and anxiety i have about them referring to me as a female, ive had incidents of violence with my mother (who is against trans with me) and shes called me whore and things and beat me in public because of it... well, im seeing if my sister or grandmother are able to take me (i live with my adoptive dad still) and im wondering if a gynecologist is even necessary.
ive read online that sometimes i could start hrt or learn more about the risks and things from the obgyn instead of ever going to a therapist or going with minimal therapy.
ive been to several therapists and i know i have good mental health, as good as ill get, i have social issues (caused by gender dysphoria) and heavy anxiety. and im certain of my gender identity without any doubt or waver. i even have my sister who has known i identified as a boy before i even came out to her when i started puberty.

so does anyone know if a gynecologist would be able to start me on hrt? i figure they would have some kind of authority or experience with it
also if it makes any difference, im in coastal mississippi, not in a big city or anything, and a tiny if any lgbt community (lots of anti-gay stuff though)

[HeyTrace19]

Not sure a gynecologist is your best bet...You might want to start with a family doctor who is friendly or has knowledge of trans issues, or possibly an endocrinologist.  I would advise you to read as much as you can about 'informed consent' and also gather some more information for yourself about gender transition and the effects of hormones in transition.  This will give you an idea if hormonal changes and/or surgeries of any kind are right for you.  When you have a more solid idea of what you are looking for, you should be able to find a physician to help you.  Knowledge really is empowering, and you are your own best advocate.  Perhaps one of those therapists you have seen may be able to help you come up with a plan for moving forward.  Best of luck on your journey.

[jasperbeauclair]

well i havent seen any therapists since i was maybe 15 and that was maybe 2 or 3 visits before i refused to go anymore (i didnt like the guy, couldnt talk to him) and the last time i talked to a therapist about gender was when i was 13 and she said "maybe itll fix itself" and we never talked about it again. and my dad probably wont pay for anymore therapists since i wasted his money on that last one at 15. ive already asked him, he said no.
im not sure what a family doctor is. theres a clinic here but mostly its filled with old people and i havent went in forever. and i have no idea how to find an endocrinologist.
i dont travel outside my town much, and even a clinic is pretty far and i have no phone, only an email to contact people.
within my resources, my sister and grandmother can take me to a gynecologist, thats about all. i refuse to go to the doctor i normally go to because of his religion, he probably isnt lgbt friendly.

[Alexthecat]

Sounds like your mother should see a therapist. There's no land line in your house that you could use when no one is home? Best thing to do is call the gyno and ask them if they have ever done it or would.

[jasperbeauclair]

the phone doesnt actually work. its a $15 one thats like 3 years old and cant hold battery more than a few minutes if that and it uses wifi to work (unsteady).
i think i can just go to the obgyn clinic and ask about it since my sister says it would be good to get a pap smear or something, i dont know. ive never had any doctor see me naked since i was a baby.

[Alexthecat]

You could use a neighbors or friends phone?

[Skyler]

Ummm... ya i wouldnt get a pap smear unless you're getting a hysterectomy. You should really look up what happens during those.

Also you can just look online for doctors or therapists that have experience dealing with LGBT or Trans people "therapists and doctors for transgender people near ____"
http://therapists.psychologytoday.com/rms/prof_search.php Or search for gender clinics, Planned Parenthood also offers hormones etc for trans people if you live in the US.

[Bimmer Guy]

Ummm... ya i wouldnt get a pap smear unless you're getting a hysterectomy. You should really look up what happens during those.

Also you can just look online for doctors or therapists that have experience dealing with LGBT or Trans people "therapists and doctors for transgender people near ____"
http://therapists.psychologytoday.com/rms/prof_search.php Or search for gender clinics, Planned Parenthood also offers hormones etc for trans people if you live in the US.

A lot of therapists on psychology today (the above link) have listed that they work with trans* people when they actually don't.  The site administrators often will just put it on there.  I have heard this from both therapists on this site and trans* people.  It is really unfortunate.

If you decide to go to a therapist, I would strongly suggest calling someone from this list, which is on the front page of Susan's.  The therapists on here have to request to be on it, so you know they really are gender therapists.

http://www.drbecky.com/therapists.html

Call the therapist that is closest to your location.  Even if you can't make it to them, they should be able to tell you of Endocrinologists, therapists, etc. in your area that works with trans* people.

Also, I would like to echo what Skylar said about Planned Parenthood being a good place for hormones.

Good luck on that.

One other thing.  If it is tolerable to get a pap smear, gyno exam, I do think it is a good idea.  Even if you can only handle it one time, it is good to know if everything is ok down there.  I have never heard of most docs requiring it for T, though.