Hi. I have experienced gender dysphoria for a while but I am non-binary so I feel that it might be diffict to get hormones prescribed. I have seen Estriol cream for sale online. It is aimed at menopausal women but I was hoping to buy some and use it on myself. This cream contains only a small percentage if estriol. If I was to apply it to my face for example, would it feminize it?  Would it be safe?

Where are you located? The only way people will help you here is through the legal routes, and we can't tolerate any kind of infos about self medicating because it is d-a-n-g-e-r-o-u-s.

I ask where you are located because there are some places of the world that operate under informed consent, meaning regardless of your gender identification you can pursue hormone replacement therapy at will. Personally that is how I think it should be everywhere!

Also, no, you cannot spot treat with estrogen. Please get to an endocrinologist and start low dose if you really want to feminize. You will thank me later

Sorry about that. I am in the UK. Would they allow me to recieve hormones?

Urgh. I'm pretty sure the UK is silly when it comes to hormones. The last I heard it was that a year of full time was necessary prior to treatment. Kind of ridiculous if you ask me.

I dont' know what your budget for this kind of thing looks like, but I know there are a few members here who fly in to see an endo in my area in LA.. one of them from the UK. So that is always an option.

Oh okay. That's what I was worried about. My problem is that I am non-binary if you understand me. I don't want to be male but I I don't feel comfortable transitioning to become completely female. I am kind of in between the two. I am not sure that they would prescribe hormones for someone that doesn't want a full transition.

Quote from: tesseract49 on May 25, 2014, 04:29:49 PM
Oh okay. That's what I was worried about. My problem is that I am non-binary if you understand me. I don't want to be male but I I don't feel comfortable transitioning to become completely female. I am kind of in between the two. I am not sure that they would prescribe hormones for someone that doesn't want a full transition.

Yeah they would probably put you through the same paces as a trans woman, which would be one year of living full time WITHOUT hormones. What gives, UK government? That seems kinda cruel.

Well like I said, the good 'ol yanks will be here with informed consent if you are ever in desperation Until then, please don't do anything silly like trying to self medicate

My endocrinologist does lots of therapy for out-of-country people, his name is John O'Dea. I think he is actually working on a topical gel that he says will work as well as pellets (what I use).

Quote from: tesseract49 on May 25, 2014, 04:29:49 PMI am not sure that they would prescribe hormones for someone that doesn't want a full transition.

Not necessarily. There are low dose HRT protocols to cover that as long as there is some form of Gender Dysphoria. The only way you will know for sure is to see a Therapist with gender experience and go from there. I totally agree with Jenny, self medicating is VERY dangerous and I should know as a retired Paramedic. Please follow the proper steps. 

I think I will see my GP about it. It does worry me though. I have always hated being male and feel that I would like to be accepted as a female or partial female. I have very supportive friends luckily. I would like to change my body to become more feminine. I am not very good with doctors, they scare me.

The NHS generally won't prescribe anything for you unless you want to fully transition to female and do exactly what they say. They are not really down with being non-binary. You can still go down there though and try to find out. Just ask your doctor to refer you to your most local G(ender)I(dentiy)C(linic). If you are lucky or if they think you will be transitioning to a "female enough" state maybe they will help you out.

Otherwise there are loads of private doctors around who will give you the treatment you want so long as you have the money to pay them. That is the great thing about the UK, we have the NHS which is awesome if you don't have the money and are willing to jump their hoops and sit int he waiting lists, but if that is no good for you then you can go private, as I have.

I see. I wish that they would understand that gender isn't as simple as male/female for some people. There were times when I felt like I wanted to transition fully but I have realised that I am not the woman I thought I was. All of my friends call me by a female name and use female pronouns. I even have a female facebook account.  I just don't feel comfortable transitioning fully or at least I don't think I am.

Maybe you can get the money to go private and get whatever you want? If I were you I would consider going down the NHS path even if your not 100% sure. It can easily take 6 months to a year to get an appointment at the GIC anyway. That is a lot of time to think about what you wanna do. It is not like you are under any obligation to continue if you decide it isn't what you want.

That would be a very good idea. Thanks very much for the info btw  . I am still a student at the moment but in a short while I will hopefully be working. I am not in a massive hurry for this. At the very least I want laser hair removal. Do you know anything about the legality of cross-dressing?  Could I lose a job if I dressed as a female or if I refused to be called Mister?

Cross dressing is not illegal no. Doesn't necessarily mean you can do it at work though. If there is a uniform then you would have to wear it, right? Maybe you would be able to dress female but it would depend on your employer and their opinion with this kind of stuff, especially in a public facing position where I expect a lot of employers would want you to be able to pass well. It all depends though, I am pretty sure that we are protected by anti-discriminatory laws but that does not mean that if they don't like you they can't find another reason to get rid of you, you know? That is the same with anything and anyone though, in any job, if you have a bad boss. Like my sister got a zero hours contract in the spring for a job but because they took a dislike to her she has gotten zero work.

I guess the most important thing would be how well you pass. If you can easily appear and sound female I doubt many people would care much so long as you can do the job. I am no specialist on employment and rules though. So take a grain of salt please!

Oh and don't be scared of doctors. If you are serious about this you really should go and tell your GP and see what he can do to help you. It is their job!

NP for the info.I don't mind helping at all.

Thanks so much .  I feel like I understand this more now. I am hoping to make friends here so that I can talk to people who will understand me. I already have a few trans friends at my college and online.