How do you do, fellow ladies?

If all goes as planned, I’ll be starting HRT in just a few weeks (😁). Does anyone have any practical tips on things to do or procure in advance? So far, all I’ve managed to deduce from wandering the internet is:

  • cryopreservation of sperm
  • find and secure a bralette that fits comfortably, by the time things get tender
  • stock up on pickles

Anything else I’ll likely be happy to have prepped in advance?

Note: flagged this as NSFW to encourage open conversation, and in case mere mention of sperm warrants it.

  • Transtronaut@lemmy.blahaj.zoneOP
    4·
    11 months ago

    Thank you, this is all great. I’m definitely going to be exploring all aspects of transition to find out what sticks. This post was meant more for things that might otherwise catch me by surprise, directly from the hormones.

    I really like that idea about tracking statistics and checking levels. Do you know a good resource for understanding what metrics to track in terms of hormones, and what levels I should be looking for and at what times? Suggestions on which specific measurements are best to track the effects on my body over time are also welcome. Hoping to hit a sweet spot where I’m not leaving out anything meaningful, but also not going overboard.

    • Axolotling@beehaw.org
      3·
      11 months ago

      Well the thing with trans healthcare is that it’s been hardly researched so what I’m about to say is not official medical advice. Especially considering that everyone’s body is different and will develop at different rates. If you have a sister, you could use her as your benchmarks for approximately what changes you’ll see. Otherwise, your mom may be a second option. If you don’t have either of those people available to you, you’re basically just taking a shot in the dark.

      In terms of more scientific stuff. Again this is not medical advice so I urge you to make your own conclusions. You may want to check out the dr powers subreddit for the types of tests he uses. Just a warning though, don’t look at any of his personal opinions. Because honestly he kinda sucks. But people also generally love his care and it’s pretty radically different from the status quo, so tread with caution.

      In a nutshell, some of the key differences include that he tests for not just total E levels but more importantly free E levels (don’t ask me what the difference is, I didn’t study biology or medicine). Also more generally, he tries to match up the low point in your hormone cycle to the low point of the average E level of a cis woman. Being below the low point of the average E level when you’re at your trough level means that you’re not getting enough E. Testing at peak levels can be pretty unreliable and I personally don’t think it really makes all that much sense to match up the peaks of your cycle to the lowest point of the average.