Hello,

My name is Charlie Jean Booth. I’m in my third year of a Masters in Psychology degree with the University of Derby. In our final year, we have to conduct a research project and I’m looking into how trans individuals who are stuck on the long waiting lists for gender care under the NHS make sense out of their experiences, their gender identity and the story of their lives. It’s a subject that is very important to me, as it’s something I had to endure myself.

So I’m looking to hear from transwomen and transmen, who fit the following criteria:

• Must be over 18
• Must identify as transgender (not genderfluid, non-binary etc.)
• Must have been on the waiting lists for their first appointment with an NHS Gender Identity Clinic for at least 6 months
• Have never had an appointment with a private health care professional to either obtain a gender dysphoria diagnosis or start the process of getting hormone therapy
• Have not started hormone therapy through any other means
• No significant mental health disorders (e.g. major depression, BPD, schizophrenia) or learning difficulties

Interviews would be semi-structured, meaning that I would have a set of starter questions, but might ask some follow-ups, depending on the answers that you provide. Interviews shouldn’t last more than 60-90 minutes, but participants are free to stop the interview at any point.

Audio of the interviews would be recorded and then transcribed so that I can analyse the conversation, but the recordings would never be published online and will be stored securely and anonymously. All data will be deleted when I graduate, unless the study is deemed to be suitable for publication. If that is the case, there is a chance it will be stored for a minimum of five years, but you would be notified should that happen. Data collection will follow all relevant GDPR protocols to keep your identity and data safe.

Participants can choose to withdraw from the study up at any point up to two weeks after their interview has taken place. You don’t have to give any reason for deciding to withdraw; it’s your choice!

If you are interested in finding out more and possibly taking part in the study, please follow this link:

https://forms.office.com/e/Ntaadb2g0d 

If you have any questions, feel free to contact me at c.booth18@unimail.derby.ac.uk or the study’s supervisor:

Dr. Carrie Childs - c.childs@derby.ac.uk / 01332 594286

Thanks so much for your time,
Charlie Jean

I have been on intramuscular estradiol valerate for almost 2.5/3 months now at a does of 0.2ml for the first 2ish months, then 0.3 over the last 2 weeks (4mg and 6mg respectively)

A test I did yesterday showed I have estrogen levels of ~600pmol/l (dunno if this is high) and ALT liver function of 70 indicating potential liver damage (upper limit is 50, I had 17 before I started)

I thought 4mg / 6mg per week was a normal dose? Am I doing anything wrong? Does anyone have any info on why it would be so high for what I thought was a normal dose?

(for other info my prescription is a 5ml vial of 20mg/ml and I currently am supposed to take 0.3ml/6mg but am stopping for now.)

I’m in the US with a medically complex trans kid. Youth care is about to be banned and large healthcare systems are dropping programs. Kid is not really a candidate for DIY care.

Any leads on a trans friendly endocrinology practice in Toronto or Mexico would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Well I have been merrily getting my Estradiol by prescription here in Arkansas through Medicare (I'm 70) but know I may have to return to overseas suppliers where I started. Just went to In House and they are completely out of stock of all injectable Estradiol. Anywhere I can go on here to find other sources?

I have had the same vantas hormone blocker implant in my arm for the last five years. The doctor who put it in said it would last five years but I recently learned that the implants really only last a year. I go to a different doctor now (the other one never had available appointments) and he dropped the ball on getting it removed when I brought it up multiple times in the last year. I'm not upset because it's stopped working or anything, I'm just kind of horrified that no doctor has tried to have it removed. It feels very negligent to leave this expired product in my arm for years on end. I'm also upset that my original doctor told me it lasted way longer than it actually does. Should I be concerned or am I overreacting?

This is so embarrassing but I shaved my pubic hair for the first time today, just for fun, and immediately I'm having a panic attack. I'm so incredibly dysphoric, I feel physically nauseous. I'm also terrified that I'm going to get razor burn or ingrown hairs or one of the other million things that can go wrong. How long will it take to grow back (I've been on T for 2ish years)?? How do I prevent health issues??

Estradiol 1334 pg/ml. I am transfem. 1.5 years E2 gel 2.25mg + CPA 12.5mg.

Six months ago there was already an unexpectedly high level, I gave the test several times, the results were between 281 and 564 pg/ml. I apply the gel in the evening, give blood in the morning, the difference is 11 hours. Before that, the results were expected for my dosage.

I have no idea why estradiol is so high. What could be the reason? And what should I do with my therapy?

Does anyone have any experience using a burdizzo clamp or other similar tool in order to kill the testicles, and would anyone be willing to share their experiences with it if so? Ease of successfully severing the cords/blood vessels, level of pain, recovery, any complications, etc. Also, if anyone knows would regular pliers work, or does it have to be one of the specialized tools. Thank you very much!

hey guys! I was just wondering if it’s possible for me to put my gofundme link here for my top surgery? It’s totally fine if not :)

I’ve been through the complete HRT top surgery bottom surgery mid surgery you name it I’ve been through it. But it kind of fucked me up mentally. So my psychotherapist wants me to find some social groups online or in person either way to talk to. I’m not an outgoing person. I just kinda keep to myself so I am willing todo this. I just I’m not sure how good I’m gonna be at doing it. So if anyone knows anything about this and wants to help me, please chime in thank you and love all y’all have a good day.

Hi y’all, I’m having a little panic moment bc I just did my first injectable HRT shot as instructed and afterwards I got this really bizarre rush and I feel very restless and disoriented. My dosage was correct and I placed it center of my thigh muscle but I’m not sure iAnyone else experience this?

I'm nonbinary ftm & I've been on testosterone for almost 3 years, I feel like I've neglected myself and my transition though and I have friends who have been on T for a much shorter time than me and theyre able to build muscle really fast and easy. I already pass as a man, maybe a pathetic man since I don't pass as cis but I want to feel better about being "male", or more "male"? are there things I can do to help my hormone absorbtion in my body? what are easier & cheaper food stuffs that's healthy for you that isn't just beans & rice & meat??

I know I should quit smoking & I should start working out to work on feeling better, but I'm looking for a wider range of resources from other people who might have a tip or two of advice?

Anyone know a doctor/provider that prescribes HRT in the Minnieapolis/st paul area? I'm planning on moving there from south carolina some time in the spring. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Hi there I'm 21 FtM and was wondering if anyone was willing to share their experience with having a hysterectomy. I just had my top surgery last year and I've been thinking about it a lot lately but I wanted to see if anyone here had any advice, be that for recovery or even just like finding a surgeon for it. I'm very new to looking into this surgery so any help/ help finding resources for info would be like. Super appreciated. Many thanks.

Hi everyone! I’m looking for a new binder for Christmas (hopefully it’s my last while I figure out the top surgery process) I have had GC2B before and I heard they aren’t the best option anymore. anyone have any reccomendations for a safe good binding binder? :)

I remember reading years ago on a trans forum that a few people had been told by their doc that when you’re on T long term, it’s good to once in a great while go off long enough to get a period. I’d guess to like, flush stuff out or something? Idk.

I been on t for like a decade and haven’t been able to get any for a month or so. Remembered that stuff and wondered if it’d be worth waiting for a period before restarting. But who knows, maybe it was just nonsense. I tried to google it but I’m just getting “explaining hormones to cis people” level stuff. Thanks y’all!

Hey there gang, I am a Trans Femme Housewife recovering from some surgeries at the moment. My wife and I just got married and today is going to be the last day they could set up for their insurance.

We've been procrastinating but is it possible someone could review this with me? I wanna make sure we are set for the best opportunities for 2025 with this horrendous administration coming in.

Our goals are to obtain maybe 1 or 2 surgeries as a family and mostly maintain our HRT med Regiments. (Estradiol shots, Progesterone, Spiro)

Any help would be extremely appreciated Thank you very much. We are considering the Preferred plan offered by her company. I can't seem to link the documents here in the initial message. I am going to try and link them after.

Please DM me directly and I can send these to you for analysis.

Thanks everyone :)

Hello everyone,

Researchers at Washington University in Saint Louis’ Brown School are interested in understanding Autistic adults’ experiences of trust in mental health care and crisis intervention services for psychological and emotional distress. Crisis services can range from police, EMT/paramedics, emergency departments, inpatient psychiatric care, peer respites, etc. We are recruiting autistic adults (self-diagnosed or formally diagnosed) who have direct lived experiences with mental health crisis services to participate in a 10 minute survey. By completing the survey, you can enter into a $50 gift card lottery. Complete the survey here: https://redcap.wustl.edu/redcap/surveys/?s=87HNAACD9WHJL4D3  

Also attached is the flyer for this study. Please feel free to comment any questions/concerns on this post. 

https://preview.redd.it/25yib96bxh1e1.jpg?width=668&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=49dedcb430a45cc00a6d442cf3138f6579f79ee0

I (27) identify as non-binary and earlier this year I was diagnosed with severe endometriosis. I was operated this summer to remove an ovarian endometrial cyst and endometrial cells which were basically starting to tie some of my organs together (which was of course very painful). The surgery went well but the long term treatment for endometriosis is hormonal, and requires the person to take a daily progesterone only minipill (which I was advised not to stop until menopause). My whole life (even before I got my diagnosis) I always struggled with heavy periods and extreme pain, and the only “solution” I was ever advised by gynecologists was to go on birth control. I was always opposed to hormonal birth control because of some of the side effects which made it insufferable for me (eg. Breast tenderness) and make my gender dysphoria so much worse. I already struggle daily with my self image (especially related to my breasts) and I am planning to get top surgery ASAP. That being said, after my diagnosis I could no longer postpone hormonal treatment (without it endometrial cells could recreate much faster and grow back, with the possibility of having to go through surgery soon again), which meant I had to start taking the daily progesterone only minipill. I have been on it for six months now and I feel TERRIBLE. My breasts constantly hurt and even grew bigger, my mental health is shit and the thought that I need to take this minipill until fucking menopause doesn’t let me sleep at night. I started asking myself if there could be alternative methods and I found some articles online about endometriosis treatment with micro-dosing of testosterone, which wouldn’t change my physical attributes that much ( I am not intending to fully transition to male) and would replace my current hormonal therapy and essentially work as a replacement for the minipill. I have already set up an appointment with an endocrinologist in February to discuss my options. My question is, has anyone on here had to go through a similar experience? Have you ever micro-dosed T? Has it helped anyone with endometriosis? Sorry for the very long post but I am a bit lost and any advice would really help!!!!!

I’m a recently out transfemme and I’m trying to get health insurance on healthcare.gov. My question is since my sex is still legally male should I put male as my gender? I’ve heard putting female would be less of a headache down the line but since I’m still legally male I don’t want to accidentally fuck up the paperwork and screw myself harder. Any help would be appreciated thanks!

Decently endowed trans woman here, I don't feel dysphoric about it most of the time, but something that does make me a little uncomfortable is that I can still shoot ropes after 3 years of estrogen and progesterone. I just finished my first month of spiro, and still, huge loads. I know this sounds like a stupid thing to be mad at, but it does bring me a lot of dysphoria to know that my penis is still functioning very well despite all that I've done to prevent it from doing so. Anyone else feel the same? Any advice? Thanks

I'm going to get t through a telehealth thing, so I'll need to inject myself, does anyone have links to turtorials that explain the basics or can explain them to me? I'm sure they'll tell me how but I'd like something more in depth that I can go back to.

As the title says, I'm kind of curious if any of you guys have had anything like this after starting HRT. One of my close family members say he thinks I'm much more sick and tired after starting HRT. He say he's supportive, but he's expressed worry over the HRT I'm on so much that part of me wonders if it is just his way of being transphobic?

It grinds my gears whenever it comes up. I felt bad for the first month of HRT, but I don't think I've felt continuously worse. But they're saying I seem more sick and much more angry emotionally? I don't understand it, I don't really feel like I'm either.

Hello everyone :)

I've been wondering about the impacts that transitioning + sexual lifestyle choices might be impacting my fertility. Just off the bat, I want to point out that I don't mind being infertile, in some ways it's actually preferable for me.

So, the main things that I do are:

• hrt. I've been on HRT for going on 4 years now (though I've gone through several extended periods where depression has stopped me from being super consistent on taking my meds)

• tucking. I was tucking on and off for the first two years, and then almost every day for a year or so. I'm doing it less frequently now because of ...

• chastity. My gf and I are starting to keep me in chastity more often. I'm pretty much keeping it on so long as I'm awake, and I'm not sure if keeping my balls squeezed like that is going to impact fertility.

• moderate ball busting. In tandem with chastity, we've started incorporating ball busting into the bdsm lifestyle. If I break rules during the day I have to get x number of hits to the balls. I also do just enjoy getting hit there casually during sex as well.

I know that all of these can have some impact on fertility, but I'm not sure what degree they would all have in combination. If anyone else has some experience or expertise in the area I'd love to get some feedback.

Thanks a bunch 🥰

So hiya! I am 25 MTF and a few months now away from finally starting HRT. I am super excited to finally start getting the body I want, only... I might not??

I want to gain weight, like a lot of weight. I weigh 85kg now, and I want to get to 135kg, maybe more even. Basically become a BBW because that is what I find most pretty and want for myself!

If I do this tho, I will not be able to get the bottom surgery I want with Dr. Bank at Suporn Clinic in Thailand since you need to be below a certain BMI to get chosen. I am still a student, and it will take a long time to save up for this surgery, and there is still a big lottery with whether or not one gets chosen among all the other transfems applying for it. I have bottom dypshoria, nothing terrible, I just wish I had a vagina, but the thought of having to stay thin, maybe having to loose even more weight for many more years just to be able to apply really makes me depressed, like I still can't get the body I want even after starting hrt.

Would it maybe be better to just not care about whether or not I get surgery and instead just be happy? I am not defined by what's down there, and think I would rather just be huge, soft and huggable. So many thoughts and feelings, and ofc I know the decicion lies with me in the end, but has anyone else been in this situation, or something similar?

xoxo -T

hi! I’m a trans person who has had a past with binding on and off for 4 years. recently I’ve noticed that I have pain in my back and shoulders when binding. I wear my binder for less than 4 hours a day. Sometimes even less than 2. I wear a size up from what I should actually wear. Yet I still have this pain that usually comes right as I start binding. Does anyone have any tips, advice, or knowledge of what this could be? I’m sorta lost. I am in the process of getting on T and have yet to start the process of finding a surgeon for top surgery. Any help is appreciated!!

Hi

I’ve been on T for 3,5 years and my levels are in the normal. Last time I checked (26th August) was because I experienced pink discharge and pelvic pain after sex and a very small amount of penetration sex. Now its 1 month later and no penetration sex for more than a month, but I began to bleed fresh blood (pink or bright red) yesterday - not enough to stain my boxers, but enough to show up when wiping - alongside pelvic pain or a feeling of soreness/tenderness. It’s not a feeling of direct period or period pain, but it’s definitely pain in my uterus. Today it’s actual blood exiting my body, but still fresh (bright red). Doesn’t give me actual vibes of period blood. But I feel my uterus is tender and almost subtly throbbing, not cramping not full on period pain, but noticeable tenderness.

I’ve been on the phone with a gynaecologist and it’s in the works for me to get an assessment and everything. She kept on asking me about dryness, which I just do NOT experience down there, with or without sexual context. I’m just worried and bothered and I don’t like to not know what’s going on. I’ve been researching vaginal atrophy, but I’m a not a healthcare professional.

Does anyone recognise any of this??

Sorry for the rant 🥺