Susan's Place Transgender Resources

Hi, I am going to Japan for a study abroad program next Spring for about 4 months. What should I know about bringing HRT meds there? I am on Estradiol and Spiro. My doc is willing to work with me on whatever I need to do. I live in the US and will be staying in the Tokyo Area if that helps. Thank you very much!




*No Dosages Please*

Hi Mio0  :icon_wave:

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Hugs

V M

If it's a 4 month trip your doctor can probably set up a prescription to cover that time span.  Longer than that and you probably want to have levels checked before renewing prescription.

Traveling shouldn't be a problem if you use the original containers with your name on the prescription. 

I have a friend that spent a year in Japan while on hrt. She is back in the U.S. now. Currently she is at work but I'll direct here here or just ask how she did it. What I do know from the stories she has told me over drinks would be that in Japan being transgender is well extremely uncommon. She always seems very animated when she says she was on hrt while there which led me to think it is difficult to get the medication while there (keep in mind that she was there a year). She also said that even though it's so uncommon there and many of the people she met never even heard of trans most of the people were accepting and her co-workers were awesome about it (she was there for work) now keep in mind I did say these conversations were over drinks so I could have jumbled a bit of it up in my memory. But like I said I'll direct her here or ask her what her advice is. Best of luck.

Looks like you're allowed 30 days

https://jp.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/doctors/importing-medication/

http://www.au.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_en/visa_medicine_en.html

http://www.associatedkyotoprogram.org/bringing-medications-japan/

Might be something here

http://stonewalljapan.org/resources/transgender-life/

Hi, Mio0

Hormones are not really that hard to get in Japan. If you're going to be in Tokyo, you could try e.g. MY Clinic in Kabukicho. I can't provide a link because of the forum terms of service (I haven't made enough posts) but if you google

myクリニック歌舞伎町

the site should be the first hit. There are many others, but this one has a pretty good reputation and is very understanding. (They have a very diverse clientele.)

The Saitama medical university among others has a dedicated gender clinic, and many private obstetricians/gynecologists can also assist if you explain your situation and ask for help.

As for bringing hormones with you, since they are for your personal use and not forbidden it should not really be a problem. The official import  limit for any regular (non-prohibited) medicine is a two-month supply. Just be prepared to explain if you happen to be searched and asked what they are for. I've never heard of anyone actually being asked to show prescriptions or dosages, but that may of course be possible if something about the situation looks suspicious.

If you have anything shipped you may or may not get a postcard from customs asking you to clarify what it is and whether you have a prescription. That happened to me once, and when I called the number given they were satisfied with just an explanation on the phone. I've heard they may be a bit more strict these days—but I also know people do order from overseas.

Since you're already under a doctor's supervision at home, though, I'd suggest the easiest thing to do is to bring what you will and, should you run out, have what you need prescribed here—rather than pay for shipping and worry about whether the package will reach you.

I hope this is of some help.

I just picked up a six month prescription of estradiol to travel to England. I called my doctor and told her I would pay out of pocket if insurance balked, it was $36.

Hugs, Devlyn