Community Conversation => Transitioning => Therapy => Topic started by: Christine167 on May 31, 2013, 04:30:17 PM Return to Full Version
Title: How to go about starting HRT? Legally and ethically.
Post by: Christine167 on May 31, 2013, 04:30:17 PM
Post by: Christine167 on May 31, 2013, 04:30:17 PM
So I live in the USA and I am seeing a psychiatrist for therapy. I'm more than a little for sure that I want to do this. I'm 35 and I haven't wanted something this bad in a while.
That said I have only been to one therapy appointment so far and my next one is next week.
I don't want to rush the process but I did want to know when is it appropriate to bring this up? Is it average for the therapist to bring it up or is it more appropriate if we as patients bring it up?
I feel that I want to start near the new year but I'm not sure of where to look for what's the average wait time. I know my therapist will not want me to rush either but I'm also not exactly the person who takes a long time to order from the menu or regrets their order afterwards.
I plan on working with my therapist for a referral to a good endocrinologist for a work up and treatment.
So I'd appreciate your experience with this.
That said I have only been to one therapy appointment so far and my next one is next week.
I don't want to rush the process but I did want to know when is it appropriate to bring this up? Is it average for the therapist to bring it up or is it more appropriate if we as patients bring it up?
I feel that I want to start near the new year but I'm not sure of where to look for what's the average wait time. I know my therapist will not want me to rush either but I'm also not exactly the person who takes a long time to order from the menu or regrets their order afterwards.
I plan on working with my therapist for a referral to a good endocrinologist for a work up and treatment.
So I'd appreciate your experience with this.
Title: Re: How to go about starting HRT? Legally and ethically.
Post by: Constance on May 31, 2013, 04:34:03 PM
Post by: Constance on May 31, 2013, 04:34:03 PM
It was after about 4 months of therapy for me when I got my letter approving me for HRT. After that, it took me about a month and a half to find an endo, show him the letter, and get my prescription.
Title: Re: How to go about starting HRT? Legally and ethically.
Post by: Devlyn on May 31, 2013, 04:38:10 PM
Post by: Devlyn on May 31, 2013, 04:38:10 PM
I know you're looking for other people's experiences, and I have nothing to share with you in that respect. Have you read the information in our Wiki, there's a "Starting hormones" sub category on this page: https://www.susans.org/wiki/Category:Hormone_replacement_therapy (https://www.susans.org/wiki/Category:Hormone_replacement_therapy)
Hope this helps! Hugs, Devlyn
Hope this helps! Hugs, Devlyn
Title: Re: How to go about starting HRT? Legally and ethically.
Post by: Christine167 on May 31, 2013, 04:58:35 PM
Post by: Christine167 on May 31, 2013, 04:58:35 PM
Quote from: Devlyn Marie on May 31, 2013, 04:38:10 PMWhy yes. That wiki has been exceedingly helpful for my research and has positively reinforced my opinion that I should do this. Transition that is. I'm well past worrying about looking like a freak and well into wanting to feel good in my own skin.
I know you're looking for other people's experiences, and I have nothing to share with you in that respect. Have you read the information in our Wiki, there's a "Starting hormones" sub category on this page: https://www.susans.org/wiki/Category:Hormone_replacement_therapy (https://www.susans.org/wiki/Category:Hormone_replacement_therapy)
Hope this helps! Hugs, Devlyn
Title: Re: How to go about starting HRT? Legally and ethically.
Post by: Christine167 on May 31, 2013, 05:00:38 PM
Post by: Christine167 on May 31, 2013, 05:00:38 PM
Quote from: Constance on May 31, 2013, 04:34:03 PMAwesome. My therapist has some endos that she knows who perform this service.
It was after about 4 months of therapy for me when I got my letter approving me for HRT. After that, it took me about a month and a half to find an endo, show him the letter, and get my prescription.
Title: Re: How to go about starting HRT? Legally and ethically.
Post by: Devlyn on May 31, 2013, 05:02:25 PM
Post by: Devlyn on May 31, 2013, 05:02:25 PM
Quote from: Christine167 on May 31, 2013, 04:58:35 PM
Why yes. That wiki has been exceedingly helpful for my research and has positively reinforced my opinion that I should do this. Transition that is. I'm well past worrying about looking like a freak and well into wanting to feel good in my own skin.
We'll chalk that up as a win for you, and a win for the Wiki Staff!
Title: Re: How to go about starting HRT? Legally and ethically.
Post by: Ltl89 on May 31, 2013, 05:19:39 PM
Post by: Ltl89 on May 31, 2013, 05:19:39 PM
It really differs. The usual scenario is to be in therapy for at least 3 months before your therapist is willing to write the letter. After that, it will usually take some time before an endo will see you.
I happen to be very lucky. My therapist is trans herself and is very well known for her work in the trans community. Therefore, she is more open minded and flexible about the letter. Instead of following a time frame, she judges hrt letters based on the level of readiness and whether it would be appropriate for her patients. It is a case by case scenario. Some will get it soon, some latter, and others she may not feel comfortable writing the letter. In my case, she felt it was appropriate to write one very early. After she approved me, I was able to get an appointment with an endo a few days latter (happens on Monday). This is all very rare. The other endo she recommended doesn't have any openings until a few months from now.
So everything really depends on the flexibility of your therapist and how soon you can get an appointment with an endo.
Also, you can start hormones without therapy through informed consent. But I really would recommend going through your therapist. It's not about doubts or anything like that. I just believe having someone on your side to help guide you through the changes is really helpful.
I happen to be very lucky. My therapist is trans herself and is very well known for her work in the trans community. Therefore, she is more open minded and flexible about the letter. Instead of following a time frame, she judges hrt letters based on the level of readiness and whether it would be appropriate for her patients. It is a case by case scenario. Some will get it soon, some latter, and others she may not feel comfortable writing the letter. In my case, she felt it was appropriate to write one very early. After she approved me, I was able to get an appointment with an endo a few days latter (happens on Monday). This is all very rare. The other endo she recommended doesn't have any openings until a few months from now.
So everything really depends on the flexibility of your therapist and how soon you can get an appointment with an endo.
Also, you can start hormones without therapy through informed consent. But I really would recommend going through your therapist. It's not about doubts or anything like that. I just believe having someone on your side to help guide you through the changes is really helpful.
Title: Re: How to go about starting HRT? Legally and ethically.
Post by: Christine167 on May 31, 2013, 06:48:20 PM
Post by: Christine167 on May 31, 2013, 06:48:20 PM
Absolutely learningtolive . I want to be a woman not die trying in vane. ;)
Title: Re: How to go about starting HRT? Legally and ethically.
Post by: Naomi on June 01, 2013, 04:59:55 PM
Post by: Naomi on June 01, 2013, 04:59:55 PM
I'm in a pretty similar boat right now, though I was sent specifically to the person that I am seeing because he has a lot of experience with gender issues. Right now I'm trying to find out what a reasonable time frame is because I don't want to set myself up for failure by having an unrealistic expectation. My conviction gets stronger every week so I'm 99.9999% sure I want to do HRT and possibly more. I hope you find an answer... and then share it. :laugh: