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What to expect when going to a psych for hormone therapy?

Discussion in 'Physical & Sexual Health' started by MusicIsLife, Mar 31, 2013.

  1. MusicIsLife

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    Hey all,

    So tomorrow im going to my first psych appointment on the road to getting my hormones for transition. I'm mostly excited, but also a bit apprehensive--what should I expect going into this appointment? I've been in therapy before, but I feel like this might be different.

    Thanks. Also if this is in the wrong section sorry in advance.
     
  2. Just Jess

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    Talking about gender with a therapist has been for me about like talking to them for just about anything else. But I've only ever been to a school therapist. They can't prescribe you anything, but they can give you a letter you can bring to your General Practitioner (GP). In other words your normal doctor. They can in turn send you out to a specialist called an endocrinologist ("endo" for short). They can take a blood sample to see what dosages should be for hormones, and then start you on a prescription. There are oral ones and ones you inject. The ones you inject are generally considered safer.

    Another approach a lot of people are taking is called "informed consent". You can read more about that here, Informed consent - Susan's Place Transgender Wiki . You will want to do a lot of research on your own if you go that route. You will still need to talk to a GP and an endo doctor that way, but you might not need a therapist.

    However, the therapist might be worth it for other reasons. I'm talking with mine for help coming out to my partner's dad. They can also help if you are in a relationship, especially if your partner's orientation isn't flexible.