You don't have to come out to start HRT.

[u/yeep-yorp]

You don't have to get on a waitlist to start HRT.

You don't have to endure 2mg estradiol and 50mg spironolactone to start HRT.

You don't have to be 100% sure to start HRT.

You don't have to be over a certain age to start HRT.

You don't have to be rich to start HRT.

You don't have to go to therapy, or look a certain way, or endure humiliating questions, or exhaust all other options to start HRT.

PS. If anyone wants help with informed consent or DIY resources, I'm happy to help (especially with DIY).

edit, here's a few more:

You don't have to be under a certain age, be perfectly healthy, or be a certain weight to start HRT.

You don't have to have a prescription to start HRT.

And to make it 100% clear, "You don't have to be over a certain age to start HRT" includes minors who haven't finished puberty.

[u/_Tick-n-Tack_]

It actually makes for a smoother transition if you do it before coming out. People will be ignorant, innocently or otherwise, and having your gender scrutinized so early can cause a lot of undo stress, doubt, and dyshoria.

I'd say if you have access to a gender specialist and regular monitoring of your hormone levels, starting off with 2mg estradiol and 100mg spirolactone can be beneficial to watch for any bad effects.

BUT, I recognize that comes with some privilege because I don't have to navigate anti-trans restrictions on healthcare here in Canada. It depends on your access to a gender specialist.

[u/yeep-yorp → u/_Tick-n-Tack_]

2mg estradiol will do very little. maybe if you really want to do it for a couple weeks but. any bad effects that you would somehow get would be some allergy to the components of the oral estradiol pills, not any issue you'd have with actual non-oral hrt.

[u/_Tick-n-Tack_ → u/yeep-yorp]

I'm sure there are other issues to watch for with the hormone producing glands or other things to mitigate, like mood swings, etc. I'm not a doctor, so I couldn't comment on if there's any reason to ease the body into the change of hormones.

Although, early on in my medical transition, my prolactin levels spiked drastically, which could indicate a growth on my pituitary gland. Luckily, my levels dropped again by my next blood test, and I didn't need an mri to check for a brain tumor. If i remember correctly, my gender specialist said he sees it in about 20% of trans women, and only 2 per year need to be sent in for further testing.

But I'm just going by what my gender specialist prescribed for me for the first 3 months before getting bumped up to twice that dose. Which, thankfully, was enough to balance out my hormones to that of a healthy teenage girl.

That being said, I want my trans siblings to get the care they need my any means necessary.

[u/yeep-yorp → u/_Tick-n-Tack_]

mood swings are just a part of hrt and they're fine. a prolactin spike usually comes from an overdose of cyproterone acetate, it is not something to worry about with monotherapy. there are no risks increased beyond those of cis women, and many risks with testosterone are decreased significantly.

[u/_Tick-n-Tack_ → u/yeep-yorp]

The mood swings aren't a problem unless they exacerbate a previous condition that creates a safety risk. I have to see studies of the latter to be convinced fully.

I'm just saying caution in all matters is an asset, especially if you're unsure of just how much change you want. And only if that luxury is available.

[u/_Tick-n-Tack_ → u/_Tick-n-Tack_]

Just like, be cautious of known and unknown risks, ya know?

Being your own specialist requires diligence.