what sort of drugs are taken of HRT?
does insurance cover them?

Would like to know too.
watching.

Well, there are a lot of different drugs out there, but for MTF essentially they all boil down to androgen blockers and synthetic estrogen. The anti androgens are to get your body to stop making testosterone, because T is extremely potent and has a tendency to drown out estrogen.

I've never heard of health insurance covering HRT for gender transition in the US. I think maybe a couple of extremely large and progressive companies include it in the health coverage they buy for their employees. That said, my nurse practitioner was telling me that frequently health insurance will cover Spiro (the most common anti androgen), because it's main use was as a blood pressure medication.

Quote from: Abstract on August 16, 2012, 07:43:42 AM
what sort of drugs are taken of HRT?
does insurance cover them?

Generally speaking, depending on your medical results and your Endo, Estrogen in some format of either pill, patch, gel, cream, implant or injectable.

Perhaps Progesterone to support the 'E' and some form of testerone blocker or anti androgen.

As to whether your insurance covers it, you'll need to check with your providor. I'd imagine providing it's perscribed by a registered medical professional, it should be covered. YMMV.

Be safe, well and happy
Lotsa huggs
Catherine

Oestrogens. Generally 17β-estradiol. Oral or transdermal. Some countries also have injectables. I'm personally against injectables, but that's irrelevant.
Generic anti-androgens. Depending on the country, spironolactone (e.g. US) or cyproterone (e.g. Canada).

Those two are very often included in treatment. Some only prescribe oestrogens, but I personally think that's a bad approach. Of course, once testes are removed (orchiectomy or SRS) there's absolutely no need for an anti-androgen.

Occasionally, the following are added:

Dihydrotestosterone antagonists. Generally finasteride or dutasteride. Sometimes useful in halting male pattern baldness, as well as reducing body hair.
Progestogens. Generally medroxyprogesterone or micronised progesterone. Its effects on transsexuals are debated and unproven. Some believe it helps with breast growth. Others think it just acts as an androgen. Whichever the case, if they should be tried, that shouldn't be until a good year of HRT, according to some.

Insurance coverage: It varies. A lot of public programs cover HRT; others don't. For countries without public insurance like the US, it varies a lot. I've heard of some insurance companies covering it; of some not covering it. Some even cover SRS. You'll have to get information about yours.

Edit: Gosh, I was beaten to it. Twice.

how much do these things cost if insurance doesn't cover it?

Quote from: Abstract on August 16, 2012, 09:56:33 AM
how much do these things cost if insurance doesn't cover it?

If you can be a bit more specific about what part of "Earth" you come from, someone from that area may be able to offer some pertinent information.

Huggs
Catherine

It varies depending on the location, pharmacy and such, but, for one month, here's for me. The price before insurance:

Estrogel (transdermal oestrogen): 36.99 $
Cyproterone: 53.44 $

i'm from alabama

Quote from: Abstract on August 16, 2012, 10:37:59 AM
i'm from alabama

Im from Alabama too ( Cullman)
You might want to check out on line pharms. i could get 3 200ml vials of t for $38

I get estrace from walmart 90 supply $10

Right now i know that aetna is probably a good provider they have finally  covered everything i had to do, and i think for a 30 day supply of spiro its like mid twenties, estradiol i think was like 18 ish but i got lucky and everything was completely covered, oh and i should probably start a ticker know! But i hope that helps you with the american prices.

Just a reminder here of site policy:

We can not in good conscience condone the self administering of these [HRT] medications. Not only may self medication be illegal, but HRT medications can cause serious health problems, and many have the potential for life-threatening side effects that can only be detected and prevented with proper medical supervision.

Two primary components.

Anti-Male factor: A male hormone blocker/suppressant many different types exist.
Spironolactone
Cyprotone Acetate
LH FSH antagonists

Pro-Female factor: Estrogen Many different forms exsist.
Ethnyl-Estrogens
Injections
Patches
Sub-lingual pills
Estradiol pills
Cream ect

All different components contain different pros/cons and expenses.

I personally use Spironolactone + injection It costs me just over £10 a week.