how to start HRT in australia ?

[daniisummers]

If i wish to transition what is the path i would normally have to go to get perscribed hormones ? these are some questions:


Do i have to get psycologist statement for the doctor or does it have to be a psycharitic report ? do i need any report for the doctor at all?

what happens if i go to the family doctor - will he refer me to a shrink first ? what will be the doctors role ?

do i have to do have to somehow register or go to melbourne to attend that monash? gender program to start ?

can you relate your stories of your first steps towards transitioning with hormones. I'm not considering srs yet either, just feminizing with the hormones first

[ToyGirl]

Hi Danii , i live in Australia and got my hormones through my local GP though they did make contact with Monash about it. I had been diagnosed with GiD before asking a doctor about hormones. AT first they were only willing to give me Aldactone, but different doctors have different opinions (some will give you a script for anything , some wont, but its hard to find one that has a genuine care and will do all the correct bloodwork tests etc if your going outside of speciallists like monash).

So at first it's probably hard but not impossible to get hrt off a local GP. IF you can see monash it's better in the long run because they know a hell of alot more about hrt. Your appearance probably plays part in wether they will give you hormones also.

I think i know what your going through monash is scary for me , and as far as my memory goes they will fast track you through a 2 year peroid in which you would get everything done (hair removal , hrt etc) then if your suitable for srs they will go ahead.

If ive missed something , just ask.

[Elizabeth2]

You can get referals to tg friendly doctors and specialists from the Gender Centre. I have been taking Hormones for 12 years now, although given the same choices now I would still take the same path. Just know that once you start and you take them for a long time you will cause noticable changes in your appearance. You will probably be on the meds for the rest of your life with all the health risks. I' not trying to be negetive here but its a big step.
In my case I was refered to a Shrink who imediately diagnosed gender disphoria, the expectation was that I would transition and live in the role. however I found that after being on hormones for a while and completing electrolysis plus a trachea shave I was happy to coast at this level. My Endocrinolygist is very good and understands that there are many forms and definitions to being transgendered. Its a shame the rest of society does not and is very uneducated about the subject. Anyhow if you are keen to start you can always try and see. In my case I am glad I did.

[daniisummers]

ok thanks or the responses. another question... are hormones covered by the PBS system in australia ?

[ToyGirl]

ok thanks or the responses. another question... are hormones covered by the PBS system in australia ?

yes perscribed ones are anyway.

[MichelleWentworth]

OK, I have had different experiences of this than other people.
I have found a number of GP's that would give me hormones. Try those in small practices who bulk bill in a poor part of town or Surry Hills. But they have no idea what they are doing.

Don't just 'start hormones' do the job properly. Contact the Gender Centre in Petersham NSW for a list of transgender friendly Psycharists and TG esperienced electrolgists.

(PSYCHARISTS: Dr John Parkinson 02 9251 8272 Macquarie St; Dr Michael Armstrong 02 9231 3230 Macquarie St; Dr Louise Newman 02 9840 3833 Annendale)

The Psycharist will refer you to an Endocronolgist (hormone doctor).

Some of the hormones are covered by PBS, others might be.

While you are getting started on HRT:

Grow your head hair,
get your body hair lasered off and,
have your facial hair removed by electrolysis.