• WillStealYourUsernameOP
        3•2 days ago

        I seriously doubt that unless they’ve been buying “hormone” supplements from amazon or something. The DIY community is a big network of sellers and users who check that everything is legit, and we always recommend blood tests for a number of reasons, but not because there is a high chance of getting scammed.

        So either they are not buying from within the DIY community or your doc is lying to you.

        • @SuperNovaStar@lemmy.blahaj.zoneEnglish
          1•1 day ago

          Perhaps. I don’t know the specifics. I trust that my doctor isn’t lying - she’s been nothing but green flags so far - but I doubt she’s as familiar with diy as the community is.

          Still, I wouldn’t recommend diy for anyone who has other options. Having a doctor to help you transition is really important, assuming you can find a good one.

          • WillStealYourUsernameOP
            2•1 day ago

            Unfortunately because of a lack of competence and sometimes because of malice it’s not uncommon for trans people all over the world to receive essentially maltreatment from doctors. I recommend reading up about HRT and getting a doctor regardless (if possible). Being aware of what typically goes into hrt means you’ll know if you are being given too small a dose of hormones or too large a dose of blocker etc. Additionally monotherapy (no blocker, only hormones) isn’t all that commonly prescribed to transfems despite being a safer alternative.

            I live in a country where getting diagnosed is a requirement for any kind of treatment (no informed consent) and getting diagnosed requires going to one of two clinics. Only one of the clinics accepts people from the entire country, and that one has a terrible reputation for purposefully stretching out the diagnostic process as much as possible (it can take many years to get diagnosed) and for being transmedicalist (among other things). The good clinic while also only taking patients from a single city also has a maximum age limit. In short if I want prescribed HRT my options aren’t great if I need it soon.

            • @SuperNovaStar@lemmy.blahaj.zoneEnglish
              2•1 day ago

              Wow! I’m so sorry for you. Informed consent is the backbone of medical care, I couldn’t imagine going to a doctor who didn’t practice that.

              It can be hit or miss in the US, but fortunately I live in a pretty LGBTQ friendly area. I might have to flee the country due to what’s happening at the federal level, but I’m actually very happy with the resources in my local community.