Hormone Replacement Therapy and Going Private

After finding out there is a 13 month wait to be seen by the NHS Gender Identity Clinic, I became desperate and decided if I put all my money together I could afford to speed up the process and go private.

I'm not a big fan of private clinics as I believe that more money needs to go into the NHS, however, I came to the conclusion that it was this or...

So I went to Transhealth, a private clinic near Baker Street, London, run by Dr Curtis and his very stylish secretary.

First session with Dr Curtis: £260

Two counselling session with James Caspian*: £140 (£70 each)

Second session with Dr Curtis: £140

*I absolutely loved James Caspian, he was brilliant to talk to, very easy going and have a sweet light-hearted sense of humour. RECOMMENDED

After the second session with Dr Curtis, he prescribed me testosterone, Nebido 1000mg.

Unfortunately, my hormone levels were worrying so I had to wait four months to have an MRI, by which time my progesterone levels had returned to normal.

In addition, my surgery refused to deliver my injection due to health and safety reasons, because it is such a big needle and dosage.

So I went back to Dr Curtis out of desperation and paid £135 for my first shot.

I do not regret spending that money.

I do not plan to have any surgeries done privately at the moment and I hope that once I get in to the NHS GIC, they will take over my hormone therapy for free.

The following is the letter I wrote to my mum regarding going private:

Dear Mum,

I am writing to you as I find it difficult to talk truthfully about this topic without getting upset.

I have been struggling with my gender since I was fifteen. Although it is ‘only’ eight months until I hopefully have my first appointment with Charring Cross, it feels like I’ve waited a lifetime already and eight months is simply too long. My transition the most important thing to be right now and will be until I begin my medical transition. This is and has been making education nearly impossible on bad days. My goal this year is to stay happy and complete my Business course, but I don’t see myself doing it if all I can think about is the desperately long wait.

A while ago, going private was not even an option but I now feel that it is the best option for me.

Ever since the lecture at Charing Cross, I have been ready, mentally, for hormones. If I go with the NHS, it will be June before I have my first appointment and the likelihood of me starting HRT before Christmas isn’t worth counting on. However, if I go to the Transhealth clinic (private), (if I were to book an appointment now) I will get my first appointment in Mid-November and I should start hormones around February!

This just makes sense to me..

Whilst we stay at Granny’s, I will receive £220 a month from Dad’s maintenance money. I should also be able to put £100, possibly more, towards it from my own money from working. That’s more than enough per month for the clinic. I will also start a Crowd Funding account, which may mean I get to save some of my own money.

As for surgeries, I am willing to risk making it harder to have them, to pass as a man. Being misgendered is like people pointing out the thing you’re most self-conscious about when referring to you. It’s debilitating.

Also, from what I have heard and researched, it’s easier to transfer countries and clinics when done privately.

Give it a think J

Lots of love,

Frank xxx

Not everybody can afford to go private, but if you can afford it I really recommend it. If your child is trans and struggling and you have the money, don't let it get to the stage where they become depressed and desperate.

fab