#hrt.txt

[asstrofem]

Prog arrives tomorrow. We’re basically adding a turbocharger, y’all.

This means that my estrogen is a 2JZ engine.

[trans-hacker]

HRT MtF Week 0

Hey Everyone, so I got started on HRT, finally, and I figured I'd share the experience for my own documentation looking back, and for anyone wanting to know the process before they start.

I went with Planned Parenthood's Informed Consent. I chose to self-pay for the appointment. Reasons being: Terrible insurance and it'd be much more complicated to get in to see a mental health professional and be made to prove my "Trans-ness" in a town lacking in trans-specific care. I also had the ability to drive out of town to make my appointment.

My first appointment ended up costing me a little more than $300, but this is because I opted to lump in my STD screenings while I was there. At the Denver Centeral location, it seemed that cost of the appointment was a fixed cost, and not on a sliding scale.

I scheduled my appointment over the phone over a month in advance - there was not a ton of short-notice appointment availability that lined up with my schedule. After the month was up, it was time for the appointment.

I showed up ~15 minutes earlier than my appointment call time. This allowed for completion of the usual paperwork - Consent for treatment, privacy practices, etc. Additionally Planned Parenthood provided a worksheet to share information about gender identity, previous medical treatment for gender identity, and the such. This worksheet prevents some of the awkward guessing as to preferences, such as how people would prefer to refer to their anatomy, pronouns, preferred name, etc.

Before my appointment call time, I opted to use the restroom, and with such, a urine sample was requested to be collected. This has been standard procedure for other mental-health related services I have taken part in. I do not believe I've ever been on anything that would preclude me from treatment, but maybe a concern for others.

Then it was time to go to the exam rooms. Some general intake questions and examination. Questions about sexual activity, recreational drug use, smoking/vaping, and the brief check of lungs, heartbeat, and blood pressure. I was within normal on all of these, with a slightly high blood pressure but within tolerance. At this point I was queried about if I wanted to get my STD/STI screening. I elected yes to additional screening from the urine sample collected, and yes to a blood test for HIV via finger-prick - imagine like blood-sugar tester, but a little different in that it did need to be taken to the lab.

After being left to myself for a little while longer, only a few minutes, quite reasonable, then the prescribing doctor came along. I was surprisingly not asked to "prove" I was trans enough, but rather just evaluated that what my expectations for HRT were in line with reality, as well as questions about preference for method of administration, between self-injection, patch, or oral where it applies. I did choose oral for both, figuring it would result in more stable hormone levels, which in my experience with other medications, is very much a good thing. Perhaps I might change my mind by the follow-up appointment and I see no reason I could not make new elections then

They also inquired as to being coerced into taking HRT. The clinic has a strict "Only the Patient in the exam room" policy - this gave me comfort in that anyone in an abusive relationship or being forced against their will would have the opportunity to make it clear without immediate risk.

I was then invited to ask my own questions. With online research for the past year or two, I had solid understanding and expectations, and my only question was "When can I start". I was told the prescription would be sent out later that same day.

Haha! *Hacker voice* I'm in!

After talking with the prescribing doctor, I was left for a little longer. Next was the lab technition to collect bloodwork. This is taken as a baseline to compare against with future bloodwork to make sure the body is handling hormones well. This bloodwork did not seem to factor into the decision to prescribe, or if it did, it was a same day process.

I was really surprised to find that this planned parenthood clinic did blood testing in house. I was almost certain I'd have to take a lab order to somewhere else, prolonging the process and increasing the cost - bloodwork was included in the $300-ish dollar price.

I really should of kept the itemized reciept so I could tell y'alls more what to epxect, but also each person's appointment might cost different and each location may charge differently. I believe the estimate before adding on STD/STI screening would of been between $220-$280.

Summarizing the appointment: The entire time I was made to feel sasfe and welcome. This did not induce anxiety, and was rather affirming. Disclaimer, however, that I've had my fair share of doctors visits, even a hospital stay, so perhaps my comfort is attributed to experience.

The prescribing doctor was right about sending out the same day - I was able to pick up my medications about 8 hours later from my local pharmacy - luckily closing at 8 and not earlier. I was able to start on the introductory dose of HRT the same day as the appointment. With GoodRX Coupons, cost for my 30 day supply (Once each morning, once each evening, E and Spiro, 60 pills each), came out to ~$30 total through Walgreens pharmacy. Cheeper and more convinient options likely exist, I just hadn't managed the research for the medicines I was prescribed before I got to the appointment and they asked a pharmacy.

Personally, the experience felt so surreal - it felt like I wasn't even living my own life in that moment. Taking charge of my life and making changes like this is not something I typically do. It felt like I wasn't allowed to, for some reason, but contrary to my belief, this was my time to make my own choice, and Planned Parenthood of Centeral Denver helped me along the way with that on that day.

There's The Deets for any other girls, also somewhat applicable to guys, maybe, who are looking to go through planned parenthood's informed consent, and further, self-pay for their treatment.