I am interested in starting hormones.What is involved in this process?I have a therapist,but she knows nothing of gender dysphoria.The field in my area is limited.Help Stephanie
You will want to point your therapist to the WPATH Standards of Care for Transsexuals found via https://www.susans.org/cgi-bin/tseek/go.cgi?id=7094 . Read them yourself, as well. They include the prerequisites for hormone treatment.
The basic requirements are to have been seen by a couselor for three months or more, to have been diagnosed transsexual, and to receive a letter from the counselor authorizing/recommending you for anti-androgen and estrogen hormone therapy.
Then you have to find an endocrinologist or other MD who is willing to prescribe cross-gender hormones and to conduct the periodic lab tests needed to ensure your continued good health. Be sure you understand the lasting effects of estrogen as well as the potential medical problems before you begin.
Typically, the estrogen in some form (Premarin, estradiol, estrace...) is in daily pill form or biweekly injection. Some use an estrogen transdermal patch.
You can also look in our Medical/Therapists and Counselors link to see if we have a gender counselor listed in our area. https://www.susans.org/Medical/Therapists_and_Counselors/
As always, we do NOT recommend or condone self-medication.
Hope this helps.
Robyn