Susan's Place Transgender Resources

Just curious if others feel the same way.  I'd like to get on blockers - maybe a low dose of estrogen - but only for health reasons - really prefer not to discuss feelings and such with a therapist.  About as little communication as possible between me and the doctor is what I'd prefer.  Has to be some of course, but just wondering how much is typically required.  Does anyone have experience with that? 

Thanks very much,

My GP started me on HRT without too much hassle, just a blood test. She went by the Informed Consent model which doesn't require psychiatric assessment. Maybe google trans friendly doctors in your area, that's what I did.

It's going to be an awkward transition if you are afraid to open up to your doctors. They're health professionals at the end of the day, and are bound by confidentiality. You've just got to rip the band-aid off.

Its going to depend on how tings work where you live. Some places its easy, others not. Might be idea to say where you are and ask for recommendations.

Quote from: Ellement_of_Freedom on March 22, 2017, 03:57:20 AM
My GP started me on HRT without too much hassle, just a blood test. She went by the Informed Consent model which doesn't require psychiatric assessment. Maybe google trans friendly doctors in your area, that's what I did.

It's going to be an awkward transition if you are afraid to open up to your doctors. They're health professionals at the end of the day, and are bound by confidentiality. You've just got to rip the band-aid off.

Thanks.  This is helpful.  Not looking to transition to be honest.  Just to reduce testosterone.  But i hear what you are saying and it's a good point.

Thank-you very much.

Quote from: AnonyMs on March 22, 2017, 05:51:38 AM
Its going to depend on how tings work where you live. Some places its easy, others not. Might be idea to say where you are and ask for recommendations.

Thanks.  I am in the Western Washington area of the US.  Good point.  i will look up some of the laws in this state.

Quote from: justwaiting on March 22, 2017, 11:14:31 AM
Thanks.  I am in the Western Washington area of the US.  Good point.  i will look up some of the laws in this state.

Oh, it should be fairly easy to do 'informed consent' there. 

Please don't be afraid to talk to a therapist, though.  They can be really helpful in helping us deal with some of the distress that having mucked up hormones can inflict, as well as all the stuff that comes along with just living our lives.  I wish I had spoken with a therapist about 30 years ago, but I'm doing something now, and thats what really matters.

Quote from: justwaiting on March 22, 2017, 01:30:16 AM
Just curious if others feel the same way.  I'd like to get on blockers - maybe a low dose of estrogen - but only for health reasons - really prefer not to discuss feelings and such with a therapist.  About as little communication as possible between me and the doctor is what I'd prefer.  Has to be some of course, but just wondering how much is typically required.  Does anyone have experience with that? 

Thanks very much,

I wouldn't have had a problem talking to a therapist, but it wasn't necessary for my doctor. I went informed consent and was approved after one twenty minute conversation with my primary care physician.

Here are some therapists from your area, good luck! https://www.susans.org/links/Healthcare/Therapists_&_Counselors/USA/Washington/

Hugs, Devlyn

Quote from: justwaiting on March 22, 2017, 11:14:31 AM
Thanks.  I am in the Western Washington area of the US.  Good point.  i will look up some of the laws in this state.

Its often not about laws. Typically doctors can do whatever they want, and they either choose to make it difficult for you or easy. The trick is finding the easy ones.

Quote from: Michelle_P on March 22, 2017, 11:18:42 AM
Please don't be afraid to talk to a therapist, though.  They can be really helpful in helping us deal with some of the distress that having mucked up hormones can inflict, as well as all the stuff that comes along with just living our lives. 

   Distress? What distress?  Yes Michelle is right. I wanted nothing to do with therapists until I started HRT. I then became willing to give it a try. 4th visit for me is early next month and last was Tuesday before coming out to my daughter. It helped  having a talk with him just before going to do it. He also encouraged me to give him a call if I feel I need to talk. I am now glad I decided to try therapy, it helps having someone to talk to.
   I encourage you to give it a try also.

Hugs,
   Jeanette

Just to mention it, although it seems like you already know, doing blockers only for an extended period of time is very bad for your health in numerous ways, you need at least a bit of one sex hormone or the other to continue living normally. Some would even say you need a tiny bit of both, as a complete deficiency of either testosterones or estrogens, even if you have a lot of the other, can lead to some undesirable effects, depression, loss of libido, etc. Both men and women produce both hormones, it's just the amount that differs this amount of estrogen in a male is enough for their health while they have T, but generally not enough to prevent bone loss and all that other good stuff from low sex hormones while on blockers.

Estradiol alone acts also as an AA due to the negative feedback it exerts on the hypothalamus and the pituitary.