Reply To: What were you feeling when you began Hormone Replacement Therapy?

[Phyllis Ann Metcalf]

My situation may be somewhat unique as I am in my early seventies and a bit different from those I have read. After much agonizing, I decided to transition to being female. The reason for my decision at this late stage of my life is because I lost my wife of 50 years last year. While she was understanding there were agreed upon boundaries. While I was able to control my desire to express my feminine side my frustration and need to do something had become very strong the past few years. I feel a great burden has been lifted from my shoulders and I feel free now. Since I live in a small rural community, I had to do a lot of research to even find out if their was a doctor or clinic which did HRT. It turned out there is a clinic in town and I made an appointment to see the doctor. I met with the Nurse Practitioner(NP)/doctor and answered a bunch of questions. The NP explained the process to me, drew some blood and sent my prescription for spironolactone tablets and estradiol tablets,half dose for now, and told me she would see me in 3 months. I was excited to pick up my prescription and even more excited when I took my first dose of pills. I have told one of my adult children and his wife and my grandson who has been living with me prior to my wife’s death. They have been supportive so far and will see as my transition progresses. I am a bit worried after reading how some of you have been to specialist and physiologists prior to starting HRT. This is something I will ask about at my next appointment. For now, I am happy and excited to finally be starting my journey to fullfill a long sought dream. Phyllis Ann