I’ve been in therapy for a few months and I really want to start HRT soon but I don’t know if my therapist will write me the required letter. If she doesn’t by the end of this month I’m going to start doing DIY, is there anything I should know about the process before I get started, anything I should be aware of? Are there risks or side effects. Things that I should be aware of before going in

P.S. Don’t give me any of that crap about detransitioning, you don’t know me well enough to say I would, frankly I’ll never call myself a boy again, not of my own volition or to capitulate to others.

  • LassCalibur@beehaw.orgEnglish
    2·
    14 hours ago

    IM injection works the best for most folks but estrogel is the safest. Doing buccal with pills was just a waste of time for me. If I had it all to do over again I’d start with injections. It probably seems scary to you right now but injections are where you will most likely end up so just go ahead and start off right.

    Have patience with yourself because sourcing crypto, injectables, and injection supplies isn’t a figure it all out in one night kind of a thing. The hardest part about DIY is learning how to use crypto, so step one is to install a software wallet like Electrum-LTC and figure out how to get funds into it in your country. If you’re extra paranoid for some reason learn how to transfer LTC into an XMR wallet.

    There’s some simple math to figure out how much to inject based on the concentration of your vial. Swapable Luer lock needles with 18G to draw and 23G to inject make it easy for me and almost pain free. They usually have a bit of “dead space” inside the needles so I pull all the medication out of the 18G into the syringe, swap to the 23G, and fill it up till a drop forms at the tip of the needle.

    Keeping a small makeup bag stocked with some hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes, cotton balls, bandages, syringes, needles, and the vial makes for a nice all in one grab and go.

  • dandelion@lemmy.blahaj.zoneEnglish
    3·
    16 hours ago

    What crap are people going to give you about detransitioning, I’m confused by that …

    Are you in the U.S.? Wondering why your therapist is a gatekeeper …

  • Kit@lemmy.blahaj.zoneEnglish
    9·
    1 day ago

    Re: People giving you crap about detransitioning, I’m presently detransitioning after 12 years and still feel that my transition was the right choice and don’t regret a single thing. Looks like you got some great advice for your HRT here, so I hope you grab the bull of happiness by the horns and live your best life. And if the thing that makes you happy changes a year or a decade from now, so what? You can then just pursue that route with the same fervor. We’ve got one chance at happiness and no one gets to tell you how to do that. ❤️ You got this!

    • LadyAutumn@lemmy.blahaj.zoneMEnglish
      17·
      2 days ago

      Per the sidebar:

      This community is supportive of DIY HRT. Unsolicited medical advice or caution being given to people on DIY will result in moderator action.

      I know OP literally asked for advice on DIY HRT, but her post clearly states her intention to take it. She didn’t ask for counter arguments about why she shouldn’t take it.

    • Evkob (they/them)@lemmy.caEnglish
      15·
      2 days ago

      You don’t have to be prescribed estrogen to have bloodwork done! I definitely think you should seek it out if you go the DIY route.

      OP’s not asking for advice on what to do with her therapist, she’s asking for advice regarding DIY HRT. IMO it’s not really our place to question why she might make that choice for herself.

    • Lily [she/her, pup/pup's]@lemmy.blahaj.zoneEnglish
      10·
      2 days ago

      If she doesn’t live in the US informed consent isn’t an option. If she does live in the US then take a look at the current political situation for the answer. You don’t need a doctor to get bloodwork.