DizzyChuggernaut said:
Well I'm not sure how much my 85x85 avatar picture accurately represents what I look like, but thanks! I look better on some days than others. Without makeup though I look very obviously male (I have had to learn so many tricks). Currently I am not on hormones or any kind of therapy (trying to get doctors to treat it seriously is a bit of an obstacle course, and requires the kind of persistence I don't have the energy to do). I am however fortunate for not having many "masculine" traits. These days rather than aiming for looking female I aim for a very androgynous look (because mentally I'm more androgynous than male/female anyway). I'd just personally prefer a female body, if that makes sense?
Ehhh, you get that. Some days you look in a mirror and it's like "definitely a 'fat day'", which I basically a saying I apply to anyday where I feel gloomy, depressed, and generally of exceedingly low self-esteem. Yeah, androgyne I usually try to hit as I feel most comfortable in that range. Precisely when I can't be stuff doing too many things.
Oh, I'm not sure if NHS is anything like Aussie public health, but I was getting a few hoops as well. I'm really loathe to tell you this as it's not really ethical given there are some risks associated with being on HRT without monthly bloods. The trick I learnt was buy the drugs online, just sit on them for awhile, and then tell your doctor you're using said drugs. They seemed to rubber stamp me through the process with only two psych evals and me pestering the shrink to pass on a confirmation to my sexual health specialist. Now, also, must remind you I know nothing of NHS. Whether it works or not, no clue. Just ... look I'd be a shitty person if I recommended it without actually saying anything against it (as there are a few things that are potentially harmful).
Also, it'd be a really good idea to being on HRT for maybe 1-2 years before thinking of what surgeries you may want. Mainly because you'd be surprised just how much can change, and you might find things you hate about yourself become things that actually work given the redistribution of lipids in your body. Like my high cheekbones ... strangely work with slightly fuller cheeks.
So, throwing that out there, too.
Also. if you aren't strapped for cash (depending if NHS completely/partial covers it) micronized progesterone. Anecdotally, When I self medicated I did so with micronized progesterone after a month (once again, shitty person if I didn't say that parts of this plan can potentially be dangerous). When I started using micronized progesterone I found a large increase in breast development (edit: you kinda start flatlining at 1 year and the continued benefits most likely are outweighed by other potential health complaint. I would certainly say within 2 months you really should get a doctor to start doing bloods, just to make sure).
That being said, you might want to hold off for a few months as the first 6 months are PAINFUL. Seriously, if someone strong-hugs you, or you bump into something, or you sleep too long on your stomach ... you cry-sort of painful. Everything feels like sandpaper against your nipples and you may have to fold a few pieces of aloe vera dampened tissues against them in over to avoid lactating over your favourite article of apparel.
So there's that. But that does go away ... kinda. Anyways. As I said before, whether it works or not (once again, shitty person, etc) you *may* be abl to bypass a lot of the MP/Psych bullshit.