HRT in Germany, where to start?

[Emilia]

Hello there,

i just recently started Crossdressing and such after i finally came out to my family this january. I just turned 18, so i finally want to start my transition. I'm already doing workout and watching my meals, as i want to start by losing some weight. But besides that, HRT is something i definitely intend to do, as soon as possible.
Sadly now, i don't have any idea at all how that works here where i live, in Germany. Do i have to get a psychologists Certificate that i am transgender and then go to a normal doctor, or what do i have to do?

Side Note: I am currently NOT seeing a therapist/Psychologist as i haven't felt enough need for me to forget about my social anxiety and do something for it.

Thanks in advance for all your answers,

Emilia~

[Juna]

It varies a lot between different doctors. Technically every doctor can prescribe Hormones. In practice you have to find a gender therapist or more likely a psychiatrist that will write you the indication letter. They also should be able to point you to a doctor that has experience with HRT. Usually an endocrinologist or an urologist.
I would recommend going to a local support group and asking for recommendations. The requirements vary a lot, from 4 meetings over 6 months before you can get the letter to 1-2 years real life experience. So getting the right one will make a huge difference.
You can also get a referral to a voice specialist to start speech therapy, it's covered by insurance. So you only have to pay the usual co-pay.
Some therapist will send you to the prescribing doctor first to get all the blood work done in advance. Others will only do so when writing the letter, or even worse first request permission from insurance. The once again be careful who you go to. It will drastically impact your time table. Of course the good doctors are also pretty overbooked.

[Saskia_F]

Hi Emilia,

hier mal ein Gruss in Deutsch. Meine beste Freundin ist durch den ganzen Psychiater- / Indikations- und Verschreibungskram in Deutschland durch.

Ganz klar ist, dass es ohne Psychiaterbesuche kein Rezept für Hormone geben wird, da die "Indikation" des Psychiaters das ist, was dafür benötigt wird. Wie viele Monate das momentan in Deutschland sind, vermag ich nicht zu sagen. Aber das wäre der erste Schritt. Sobald Du die Indikation des Psychiaters hast, kannst Du mit dieser zu einem Endokrinologen Deiner Wahl gehen, um Dir die ersten Dosen verschreiben zu lassen. Die Krankenkassen stellen sich im ersten Anlauf übrigens gern mal quer, wenn es um die Kostenübernahme Deiner Medikamente geht, aber das ist sinnlos, weil sie verpflichtet sind, solange Du den "offiziellen Weg" mit den entsprechenden Nachweisen eingehalten hast.