I just thought I would share my good news with the group.

I was finally approved for HRT back in January and, following a huge amount of paperwork between the NHS gender clinic and my doctor's, was able to start Oestrogel at the start of February. However, the rules with my gender clinic (UK based) say that it is not advised to start the GnRH analogue until we have been on oestrogen for a period of time. The rationale is that, without enough oestrogen in the body, there is a higher risk of feeling quite poorly, akin to suffering from the effects of the menopause, which seems to be fair in my mind.

I had my review in May and got an appointment with the lead consultant shortly after, who explained all of the risks and possible side effects before granting me the green light to start the GnRH. Yet, another round of paperwork between them and the doctor's started.

With all of the warnings ringing in my ears, I dutifully collected my prescription to take to my doctor's ready for it to be injected - in the UK, the NHS don't routinely prescribe things like Spiro, instead they prefer things like Triptorelin in injection form.

So, last Monday, I was at long last, giving my injection and I am happy to report that I have had no side effects whatsoever and I couldn't be happier.

The next step is my Gender Recognition Certificate and SRS surgery, which are another set of hurdles to jump.

Hugs Abigail-Rebecca