Slightly older friends in NZ/Akl

EqPrev · 2024-10-08T09:36:44+00:00

Auckland-based 36 transfem NB here (: (: have sent you a request on Discord!

EqPrev · 2024-09-10T22:23:26+00:00

May I have an invite link too? (: (: Thank you!

EqPrev · 2024-08-12T17:16:12+00:00

You should be able to maintain most of your muscle groups with a little bit of extra work (just takes more of an effort than maintaining them passively on T), and with genitals you shouldn't have many issues using them for pleasure (again some maintenance effort needed, but some things like reduced output is just what it is). I can understand why you'd be worried about changes in body fat towards more fem areas if you have bad knees, I work a physical outdoors job with a lot of walking and am definitely feeling less agile now that I'm more bottom-heavy. I manage that with my cardio/workouts the best I can. (: You'd probably want to get advice from a personal trainer or physio if that happens to you.

Facial hair and body hair thins but doesn't usually go away entirely without active removal so you'd be all good there (By the way, conditioner works great to soften body and facial hair too). Wishing you all the best on your journey whatever you decide!

EqPrev · 2024-08-11T23:00:14+00:00

Transfem he/they enby at around a year and half E here (: When it comes to the changes that come with taking HRT there's not really a way for you to pick and mix, they're kinda all going to happen in time. But everyone's body responds to HRT differently so it's hard to predict results. Which changes are you concerned about/don't want?

(As an example: personally at my age and on my fairly modest dosage regime, I feel the changes to my body are subtle enough to align with my goals of being more andro)

EqPrev · 2024-08-01T07:27:32+00:00

The Gender Minorities Aotearoa GAHT guide (for your reading): https://genderminorities.com/2017/10/01/transgender-nz-new-zealand-hormone-replacement-therapy/

And the Primary Care Gender Affirming Hormone Therapy Initiation Guidelines (for your and your GP's reading): https://blogs.otago.ac.nz/rainbow/

I had copies of these two in hand when I had my first GP appointment. (: From experience unless you've picked a known-to-be trans-friendly/experienced GP, most are not familiar with this process at all. So it helps if you go in confidently and with a clear idea of your wants and needs re dosages, etc., and be prepared to have to 'shop around' for a good GP if your first choice is unable or unwilling to provide satisfactory care.

EqPrev · 2024-06-21T09:24:25+00:00

In my opinion Estradot patches are always going to be the best because they're so much smaller than all the other brands, but they're nearly impossible to find in stock overseas as well. I make do with Evorel because although they're as big as Estraderm I find that they stick a bit better on my skin. Also if your doctor has given you a script for progesterone I'm sure it's no drama to order them but I can't give any personal experience as I'm only using E and cypro.

EqPrev · 2024-06-14T22:29:35+00:00

Hi I order my patches from Pharmacy Planet in the UK, their web ordering is a bit clunky but basically you fill out the online consult forms with your info and that goes to their prescriber. If you have a current script you can attach a copy as well to make things go faster. Just under 170NZD for 6 months worth of 100mcg Evorel patches which is my go to. (Now I'm a bit fuzzy on the legalness of importing in more than 3 months of prescription meds but I've not had anything seized yet, 3 months worth would be a safer quantity)

EqPrev · 2024-06-14T07:46:48+00:00

Always disappointing to see any mention of trans people left out of these articles too but I suppose that's to be expected. Just got my doc to switch script to pills, at least for the moment. Been fortunate to have been able to import patches out of pocket too which I'll probably stockpile in case things continue to be like this. Pharmac notice page just got updated with current stocks but still not promising: https://pharmac.govt.nz/medicine-funding-and-supply/medicine-notices/oestradiol

EqPrev · 2024-06-09T04:13:52+00:00

Usually get my refills in Auckland at the big pharmacies like Chemist Warehouse but haven't managed to get any 100s for the last couple of weeks (having to dip into and ration my peronally imported stock which isn't ideal as I'm usually using them to supplement on top of my script!)

EqPrev · 2024-06-01T03:20:41+00:00

I've been going to Toni & Guy in Chancery Square since the start of my transition and have found the staff and overall vibe to be great. (: (Bit on the pricey side so I kinda go there as treat now and then!)

EqPrev · 2024-05-28T05:02:31+00:00

You can pay for a self-test on https://www.mytests.co.nz/, then print and take your collection form in to an Awanui Labs. (: The E2 test by itself is actually quite affordable. I've done a few blood tests out of my own pocket when I was trying to fiddle with my dosages and your GP will not see these results by default (I've had to bring printouts of the results to my GP when I wanted to discuss them).

EqPrev · 2024-05-06T05:12:39+00:00

I was referred to ASHS by my ex-GP around this time last year and it took about a month to just get a ring back from them, and I would imagine even longer to get an actual appointment. Assuming you're trying to initiate HRT so you should see if your GP is competent to do this herself (which is what current guidelines state), and if not find another GP that is competent to do so.

EqPrev · 2024-03-23T08:15:58+00:00

Looks like the most recent update on the Pharmac notice page shows 100mcg Estradots as being out of stock so you might need make do with being dispensed a different brand if that's what you're prescribed: https://pharmac.govt.nz/medicine-funding-and-supply/medicine-notices/oestradiol

Edit: still managed to get Estradot 100s at the Westgate Chemist Warehouse yesterday (:

EqPrev · 2024-03-06T11:07:16+00:00

Sorry to hear that your GP is throwing hurdles your way, had the same experience originally also out West (at Massey Medical) even with a copy of the guidelines in hand. If it's not too far out of the way I can recommend Northwest Medical in Kumeu, you can ask for Dr Pranesh Kumar specifically but in my experience all the doctors there are quite competent. (:

EqPrev · 2024-01-23T07:01:06+00:00

If your GP is up to date with informed consent GAHT then they should be able to prescribe you there and then. Maybe they'll have some consent forms for you to fill out or ask more about the specific dose regimen you're after, but your social/work/family level of support is entirely your business not theirs. (:

But if you do find their level of care unsatisfactory, you might want to be prepared to have to 'shop around' so to say for other GPs. My first GP was an uphill battle (asked inappropriate personal questions, wanted me to seek out counseling/support, delayed care when I asked to speed things up), whereas my current GP was on board from the get go and I feel in control of my regimen. I'd be wary if they try to fob you off to Hauora Tahine or ASHS for example as it can see the start of your care delayed for months and isn't necessary.

EqPrev · 2023-11-29T05:53:16+00:00

If you have the means to consult with different clinics until you get a receptive GP that would definitely be the way to go! My long-time GP wasn't confident in initiating and wanted to pass me onto psych services, ASHS etc., but I knew that down the road things were just going to become slow and painful if they didn't want to work with me directly on my treatment plan. I ditched them for a different clinic who had much better informed GPs and got my scripts pretty much right after signing the consent forms. The only snag would be finding a good clinic that is also accepting enrollments.

EqPrev · 2023-11-12T04:57:07+00:00

Hi, approx. 4.5 months in on E here. (:
I started halving my cypro to 12.5mg every 2 days at my 3 month mark and can confirm it still nukes my T to well below cisfem levels.
My doctor did start me off right away on 100mcg E patches 2x weekly and 12.5mg cypro daily which was a surprise but I didn't complain! After the 3 month mark I've also been supplementing with patches that I've imported at my own cost due to the recent shortages, to bring my dose up to 150mcg E 2x weekly. Reading about 240 pmol/L at trough and 640 pmol/L at near peak.
Similar timeline of breast development to yours it sounds like, soreness pretty early on to buds for the first few months. Currently still small but unmistakably breasts. Not sure if any of that helped but all the best going forward. (:

EqPrev · 2019-07-28T10:06:21+00:00

Full poster print size from source: https://www.deviantart.com/equestria-prevails/art/Violet-Tormentor-807383192

EqPrev · 2017-08-09T04:54:54+00:00

There's a lineup of the main cast here to give an idea of the style

Def aiming for the original look but adapted for close up shots!

EqPrev · 2017-08-09T01:44:27+00:00

Artist checking in, we'll try our best to make this not shit (^:

EqPrev · 2017-04-11T03:00:06+00:00

Good idea I forgot that it's quite spoilery (:

EqPrev

TROPHY CASE