Susan's Place Transgender Resources

I've been to a few different doctors and I just can't get them to give me a script for estrogen. They don't have any experience and just don't want to get involved. My current primary care provider is a nurse practitioner and a screen to do all that he can to help me including lab work but does not want to be the one to give me the script to start me off because of possible complications. I just can't afford to go to some faraway clinic that might have experience with transexuals. I'm in an area where most people number little about the matter including the medical profession. Not to mention I'm very poor. I'm lucky to have access to a sliding scale clinic but they are not able to help me in this area. I'm so desperate I think I would take estrogen myself if I could get a hold of some. I'm just really frustrated. I know it's best to take it under medical supervision, but if I end up living in Mexico I could just buy it over the counter but I won't be able to afford medical supervision.

Most people get it prescribed through an endocrinologist.  Before they are willing to do that, they like to see a letter from a  therapist recommending you to start hrt.  If regular doctors aren't working and a clinic is too far, this may be your best bet. 

My therapist is ready to write my HRT recommendation letter, she is just waiting on me to let her know what needs to be in it.


I've checked with regional and Rick analogist and I cannot find anyone that has experience or is comfortable giving me a script. one office said that they would work with me after I had received my first prescription but they did not want to initiate it. I will keep expanding further and further geographically in search of an endo.

What country and state are you from?

Indiana (northern) USA.

There should be an endo around you. I would suggest that you google trans friendly endocrinologists in your state.  There must be something.

Have you been going to endos or primary care physicians only?  That may explain why some may not want to wrire rhe script.

You could try Howard Brown in Chicago for the initial script then use your local docs for after that. I know it is a long drive but it would only be for the first one.

If you simply need to find an endo, I would recommend searching insurance websites.  For instance, Aetna provides a handy provider search tool at - http://www.aetna.com/dse/search?site_id=docfind&langpref=en&tabKey=tab1&site_id=docfind&WT.svl=DocFind_nav&this_page=enter_welcome.jsp&langpref=en (http://www.aetna.com/dse/search?site_id=docfind&langpref=en&tabKey=tab1&site_id=docfind&WT.svl=DocFind_nav&this_page=enter_welcome.jsp&langpref=en) (you don't have to be an Aetna member to use it).

I typed in "Endocrinologist" and Plymouth, IN (some random northern Indiana town I found on Mapquest) and up popped a list of 40 or so sorted by distance from Plymouth.  I assume this only reflects Aetna network doctors, but looking through sites for the popular health insurance companies (provided they have similar search tools) might help you.  Or not.  Just an idea :-)

Quote from: Rosa on July 27, 2013, 05:32:31 PM
My therapist is ready to write my HRT recommendation letter, she is just waiting on me to let her know what needs to be in it.


I've checked with regional and Rick analogist and I cannot find anyone that has experience or is comfortable giving me a script. one office said that they would work with me after I had received my first prescription but they did not want to initiate it. I will keep expanding further and further geographically in search of an endo.

If your therapist has never written a HRT recommendation letter, the last person he/she should seek guidance in doing so is from the patient. This calls in to question the therapist's professional ethics. Your therapist needs to seek guidance from a peer or other licensed medical professional.

Quote from: LordKAT on July 27, 2013, 09:06:52 PM
You could try Howard Brown in Chicago for the initial script then use your local docs for after that. I know it is a long drive but it would only be for the first one.

This!  Even if it is a long drive/train ride, you can get your prescription in two fell swoops.  For your first appointment, they'll take blood samples and send you the results via email.  Then you can schedule your psychological evaluation and second appointment on the same day about one month later.  BAM!  Hormones!

Also, their in-house Walgreens pharmacy is incredibly cheap.  A month's supply of skittles for me is only around $30  :D

Quote from: Rosa on July 27, 2013, 08:53:34 PM
Indiana (northern) USA.

Planned Parenthood does trans* care in some of their locations.
http://www.plannedparenthood.org/health-center/centerDetails.asp?f=2758&a=90500&v=details (http://www.plannedparenthood.org/health-center/centerDetails.asp?f=2758&a=90500&v=details)

Quote from: Rosa on July 27, 2013, 08:53:34 PM
Indiana (northern) USA.

Hmm...  One thing I got wrong about you is location.  You mentioned visiting Mexico in past posts and that Contadina Girl avatar almost smacks of SoCal.  Oh Well.  Didn't you mention in a few posts in the past that you have Asperger's?  These people have a high TG rate amongst them. 

  Hoosier State, it figures.  Try Illinois. 

  Joelene

has anyone ever self medicated?

Self Medication is not recommended or supported here at Susans.

I don't support self medicating. Sorry I asked  :-\. this is my first day on these forums

Well, the reason it is not supported is because a lot of people have done this - including board members here :).

Its not supported because it is dangerous. 

Quote from: Sarah Louise on July 29, 2013, 05:18:31 PM
Its not supported because it is dangerous.

Exactly! We - many of us - have done that - and we have the hands-on experience how serious this thing is.

Quote from: Joelene9You mentioned visiting Mexico in past posts and that Contadina Girl avatar almost smacks of SoCal.  Oh Well.  Didn't you mention in a few posts in the past that you have Asperger's?

I lived in SoCal for 12 years, but now live in Podunk indiana.  I found that the University of Michigan has a transgender care program and even does SRS and voice therapy. I am checking there but worried it may be to expensive.

No aspergers - I have Kleinfelters.

Quote from: Flan on July 27, 2013, 11:34:22 PM
Planned Parenthood does trans* care in some of their locations.
http://www.plannedparenthood.org/health-center/centerDetails.asp?f=2758&a=90500&v=details (http://www.plannedparenthood.org/health-center/centerDetails.asp?f=2758&a=90500&v=details)

Thanks Flan, I'll check with them.

I go to the u of m program. PM me if you have questions. Happy to answer.

Quote from: Antonia J on August 04, 2013, 09:53:38 AM
I go to the u of m program. PM me if you have questions. Happy to answer.

Thanks, I did.  Interestingly, that is the hospital I went to 30 years ago which put me on T for hypogonadism (no counseling offered).