I finally asked about getting/seeing a therapist who specialises in LGBTQIA+

You wrote you live in Estonia and that there are plenty of homophobes. I also live in Central Europe, and I don't think it's a good idea to ask a GP, LGBT topics aren't common knowledge and even if the doctors are friendly for us, they just don't know where to direct you or what to advise. I would search for a local LGBT foundation and ask them, not a doctor, they will be much more knowledgeable about medical proffessionals in the area who work with LGBT people. I guess you already tried to google LGBT therapy, treatment of transgender people and the such? And looked on Estonian forums, subreddits etc.?

 

Yeah, they are. These people are volunteers who are also somewhere on the rainbow.

For most trans people, receiving healthcare is a long commute. There aren't many doctors that lead transitions. I wouldn't be surprised if in case of Estonia it would be one or two doctors for the whole country, because Estonia is small. In my country it's about one or two doctors per province. And some provinces have no doctors and some with the largest cities more. Also a pro tip: when you already have all the documentation needed and are on hormones, take an attestation from the "trans doctor" what you take and in what doses, in what frequency etc. and show it to your GP - then they can prescribe you the same medications and it's closer and cheaper than commuting for receipts all the time.

Agreed. I mean, I haven't heard it about doctors who lead transitions, but with other doctors, true and it has also been my experience. It's a shame if you folks have to educate doctors who are supposed to lead the transitions.

It's a good starting point.

 

Oh that’s brilliant CharlieLuca, well done for being brave and asking. You got this! You could write down some things to help you remember. It will really help to talk to someone who can help xx

 

I’ve just read the thread thoroughly, it’s so hard for people in less tolerant or knowledgeable countries. UK is pretty tolerant for LGBTQIA +, especially from professional people such as drs and nurses, I’m sure it’s so much harder to just feel accepted if there is open anti LGBTQIA+ attitudes.
I remember being a student nurse in about 1994, and people were having male to female transitions, and it was quite new then I’d imagine. I wish all of you the best of luck with whatever is ahead.

 

Congratulations @CharlieLuca I hope that things go really well for you.

@Rayland I do not know much about Estonia and especially healthcare there. Would you be able to private pay? If you could and are fairly close to Tallinn then would you be able take a ferry and travel to either Stockholm or Helsinki where it would be much easier to find someone with knowledge who would also be much more accepting?

The first gender reassignment surgery in the UK was in the early 50s. Transition was new in the 50s and 60s. In the 90s it was not common or even fully accepted (nor is it even now) but it was not new.

 

Oh okay, it was fairly innovative in the hospital I trained in in London. Maybe it was a new technique rather than the actual procedure.

 

Maybe it was becoming more widespread and less of a thing for pioneers. The first things of any kind are pioneer and still years pass until they reach everyday life. Sometimes even decades. Let's take computers. First computers predate back to WWII, but they became more widespread several decades later, because the techniques improved and they became more reliable and also cheaper. It goes for pretty much all inventions. Now AI is taking first steps, but it will still take some time for the technology to improve, become more reliable, cheaper and familiar enough for people to want to buy it.

 

.(sorry I misunderstood something)