Hello everyone!
I'm so lost on where to start my transition process.
I'm 27 and I live in Arizona and I want to start HRT but I do not know the first place to start or what kind of doctor I should see to get evaluated and to start hormones.
I'm currently taking herbal hormones (3 months now) from an online website but I feel I'm not getting any results from it.
Everyone here is so helpful and friendly I feel really comfortable here and I look forward to making new friends!
Thanks!
Breanna
There is a value in herbal estrogens making you feel like you're at least doing something, other then that, there's very little clinical evidence to support that they do anything for estrogen based women let alone pre-HRT transwomen. Start with a therapist, yes there's a waiting period for HRT, but its not really that long in the grand scheme of things. While you're waiting, focus on getting in shape, losing weight if you need to, doing other things like letting your hair grow out. As for transition, there's plenty of things to do that you can keep yourself busy until you get your HRT letter.
Start with your family doctor. Or if you have a gender therapist, they may have someone they recommend.
I went to my doctor (a woman) and had a very awkward conversation about starting hormones and why I wanted to do it. It made me feel very vulnerable and I knew that the worst she could do was laugh at me, but she didn't. She ended up prescribing me what I asked and I set up follow-up appointments for the following month.
Herbal hormones are, in my opinion, an attempt to self-medicate, though the risks are usually less dangerous. I understand the desire, but to do this right and proper, you'll need to involve a medical professional. As suggested, seek your doctor, or seek a psychiatrist so that you can put yourself on the correct path.
Good luck. I hope it all works out for you! :)