Hi, I'm new here, I'm sorry if I posted this in the wrong forum. I am out to my family and friends as androgyne and my GP is going to try referring me to the Laurels soon. I have heard they are the best GIC for nonbinary people. I am very nervous and was wondering if anyone would mind sharing their experiences?
I plan to be completely honest with them about my gender identity, my dysphoria around periods and my chest. My GP agrees a hysterectomy would be best, but has said that without 'evidence' she can't refer me herself to have one. I would like top surgery too but I feel like I don't have the right to ask for that. I don't even know if the referral will be successful and I'm already panicking.
I am very worried that if I don't want to take hormones I will be refused surgery. I am also concerned about how the RLE works for nb people? I feel like I am already living my gender identity and don't feel the need to change my name or pronouns but will this prevent me getting treatment?
The only positive responses I've found are from people who have gone private but that is not something I could afford.
Has anyone had any experience with being out on the NHS?
Sorry lots of questions from a newbie , I'm really confused and stressed 

Welcome to Susan's Place. The normal argument is you will need some form of hormones to maintain bone density. It could be estrogen or testosterone. Without one or the other you will go through menopause and all the fun side effects (been there, done that). It is possible to maintain bone health with calcium, vitamin D and load bearing exercise. You may need to answer these question but if they are skilled with the non binary, they should understand that the treatment needs to be customize to the person. As I am in the United States, I am not familiar with NHS policies and others will have to add to this.

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Thanks for the response. I thought the menopause only occurs if you have the ovaries removed as well as the womb? I know their is a risk of them failing still but if they don't are the bones still at risk?
I'm actually on a medication that stops my periods completely but it thins the bones so my GP is worried about that and seems to think a hysterectomy is less damaging in the long run. I have osteopenia so they are already at risk.
I would be very scared of taking either ostrogen or testosterone, as I don't want to become more feminine or masculine.

You are correct but it wasn't clear from your post the extent of the surgery. FTM normally have all the female parts removed when they have a hysterectomy. If you are comfortable with ovaries, that would remove the need for hormones.

Oh ok thank you. Sorry I wasn't clear about it.

Quote from: Kacchon on June 24, 2016, 04:30:49 PM
I'm actually on a medication that stops my periods completely but it thins the bones so my GP is worried about that and seems to think a hysterectomy is less damaging in the long run.

I'm curious about this topic as I plan to get top surgery and a potential hysterectomy as well.
I'm in the US though, so I don't have any advice I can offer as I'm not sure how the NHS works.
I am curious to ask you something if you don't mind. Which medication are you on to stop your periods? I went on a birth control a while ago but the hormones in it was horrid.
Good luck by the way.

Hi, I'm on medroxyprogesterone. Its usually used for people with endometriosis and its supposed to only be short term. I've been on it for 6 months so their is a risk I will start bleeding again at some point. My GP is only using it as an interim while we try and get support and possibly surgery
I am not sure if your doctor will be comfortable putting you on it as its has risks to your bones and is a short term pill. My GP did want me to try back to back contraceptive pills but I was paranoid about breast growth.
Thank you, good luck to you too!

Quote from: Kacchon on June 25, 2016, 03:50:06 AM
Hi, I'm on medroxyprogesterone. Its usually used for people with endometriosis and its supposed to only be short term. I've been on it for 6 months so their is a risk I will start bleeding again at some point. My GP is only using it as an interim while we try and get support and possibly surgery
I am not sure if your doctor will be comfortable putting you on it as its has risks to your bones and is a short term pill. My GP did want me to try back to back contraceptive pills but I was paranoid about breast growth.
Thank you, good luck to you too!

Thanks for the info. Yeah I doubt that I will be able to get on them (and honestly don't know if I would want to), but just wanted a name so I could do some research. I didn't think about "breast growth" beforehand and am pretty sure I went up half a size in a 3 month span. I should have been more proactive, I just started freaking out about periods and blanked on potential side effects. I went off of them as soon as I realized this though, but yeah.
Thanks again, keep posting back if you ever figure anything out.