Question About Hormones

[SimplyThea]

I was wondering if anyone knows what the current process of getting put on hormones is in the United States generally. I would like to start hormones in the next year or so before I get too much older, but I don't know what steps I really need to go through in the US in order to start that. If anyone knows more about this or could point me somewhere with helpful info I would appreciate it. I've tried to find the information myself, but I keep getting a lot of mixed info.

Thanks,
Thea

[AnonyMs]

I'm not in the USA, but it would probably help if you said approximately where you are. Perhaps someone can suggest some local resources.

[Laura_7]

Basically there are two ways:
you look for a good gender therapist, who helps you along the way... if they are not supportive look for another...
they write a letter for an endo/doc for hrt...
you might ask them:
-how they see their role
-how long it usually takes until a letter for hrt

Some of them work on sliding scales, or it might be covered... for example if its connected with emotional issues or depression...


the other route is informed consent, where a clinic/endo has to be found who goes that route...
there you basically sign you are informed about the risks... a short evaluation might be included to make sure you are in a sane emotional state...


well quite a few people say having a therapist might help...

Here are more hints:
https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,188913.msg1680770.html#msg1680770

https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,188309.msg1674885.html#msg1674885


hugs

[SimplyThea]

I'm not in the USA, but it would probably help if you said approximately where you are. Perhaps someone can suggest some local resources.

Well currently I live in northwestern Pennsylvania, but I'm hoping to move to Chicago in about a year when I graduate from university. For this year I'm just hoping to see a therapist and talk through issues and such so I'm ready to start taking hormones once I'm in Chicago since I'm assuming it would be a hassle to switch from one doctor to another when it comes to HRT. Also the city closest to wear I currently live is Pittsburgh, and everything else is just rural areas pretty much.

[Laura_7]

Well you might look for gender therapists, or ask at a lgbt center or a transgender group for a referral...

and there are online therapists...
https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php?topic=187135.0


hugs

[KristinaM]

I'm not sure of the Informed Consent laws in Pennsylvania or Illinois, but you can contact Planned Parenthood.  They are nationwide and can tell you.  They're easy enough to work with.  It's quite painless really.  I went through them to get my HRT prescriptions.

[Rachel]

I am in Pennsylvania which is an informed consent state.

People can do an intake at The Mazzoni Center, get a blood test and 1 month later, if everything is good, get scripts for HRT. However, presently the practice (8 practitioners) has suspended any new patients due to an overwhelming amount of people requesting help that has overwhelmed their ability.

I have to wait 6 weeks for an appointment for depression and request for medication.   

[Laura_7]

I am in Pennsylvania which is an informed consent state.

People can do an intake at The Mazzoni Center, get a blood test and 1 month later, if everything is good, get scripts for HRT. However, presently the practice (8 practitioners) has suspended any new patients due to an overwhelming amount of people requesting help that has overwhelmed their ability.

I have to wait 6 weeks for an appointment for depression and request for medication.

Its time they hire new people 


hugs

[Mariah]

Informed consent and getting a letter from a therapist to take to your doctor/clinic/ or endo is the routes available here. I personally had to go through a therapist and then be referred to and Endo to start HRT. I know I benefited from the therapy, but again you need to find which of those routes works best for you considering on what is available in your area. Good luck and Hugs
Mariah

[SimplyThea]

Thanks for all the advice and support. I believe I'll try going the therapist route first if I can find one who specializes in working with trans people in my area because I feel I would benefit from having someone to talk some things through with as well. Plus my insurance is more likely to cover at least some of the cost if a psychiatric professional believes it would be in my best interest to take hormones.