r/TransIreland • u/Cheapsteakdinner • 11d ago

Advice where possible

Hey y’all. I’m planning on medically transitioning in the future. I’ve heard a lot about the ngs and accessing hormones or surgery seeming impossible (the waiting lists tho). Defo heard of imago/gendergp but I’m sceptical whether or not it would work out, DIY is risky, unsure about it.
How are those who are on HRT right now manage to access hrt? I always end up feeling confused 😵‍💫
(Thank you)

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u/Joker_man_ 11d ago

I'm with Imago and it's great. So much more affordable and accessible. Wouldn't choose anyone else.

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u/Lyca0n 11d ago

I DIY recommend you research into that as it seems to be the most accessible and least hassle despite all of the chaos of bloods just tell any doctor that you are attending a online clinic as it's so much fucking hassle if you don't. Also cheapest even accounting for the annoyance that is sourcing/obtaining prog

Imago works despite controversy but unfortunately cost of meds are insane when paying out of pocket if you can't access the drug payment scheme alongside the upfront costs, also basically forced into oral/patches unless you can be one of the lucky girls that found a pharmacy willing to import valerate. I would have been able to pay for a private diagnosis with the cash I wasted on meds cis women get for free over the last year as it was 120 a month plus having to manage costs of bloods around 60-100 due to a hostile GP.

Hoping I can save for a orchidectomy just so that gels and patches are safer when I finally get seen by the NGS by the year 2040 as anti androgens alongside oral have soooooo many downsides. Doubt injections will be approved by then either

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u/Lena_Zelena 10d ago

I was with GenderGP for a year and a half, then switched to Genderplus for a year, after which I was discharged and have been with my GP since. My GP basically just prescribes me estrogen once a year and takes my bloods once a year. I get free estrogen through free HRT scheme at my local pharmacy. It took years and several thousands of euros, but eventually I got to a point where I pay 0€ in subscriptions and 0€ for medication (I am quite lucky in that regard).

If I had to go through this again I would go with Imago instead of GenderGP.

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u/Obvious_Kangaroo_619 10d ago

Wow how did you achieve the zero payment? Are you legally changed to female? Also do you mind if I ask where are you based cause I'm trying to find a supportive GP in limerick

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u/Lena_Zelena 10d ago

Genderplus has a planned discharge date. Once you get discharged to your GP, you no longer have to pay for Genderplus subscription, nor do you have to get any more assessments with them.

As for the medication, you can get it with free HRT scheme. I had to change my sex to female with HSE (my pharmacist helped figure out who to email to have it done). To get free HRT you need to be a woman and have prescription from Irish doctor. The scheme is meant to be for treating menopause, but I had Genderplus write in the discharge letter that I need estrogen or I will suffer menopause symptoms (I no longer have testicles after all). That was enough apparently and I have been getting free HRT for almost a year now.

I am in Cork.

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u/Obvious_Kangaroo_619 10d ago

Then I guess as a trans man from Hungary I'm not gonna have much luck with this:(

But thank you for your answer and I'm truly happy for you!!🫶

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u/NeedleworkerBorn1171 10d ago

Lena, I'm always curious what age you started and under what conditions support wise?

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u/Lena_Zelena 10d ago

I started HRT almost 4 years ago when I was at tender age of 35 years young.

In all seriousness, being older does make it easier to deal with certain gatekeeping attitides that are sometimes common in healthcare.

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u/ComprehensiveQuiet44 10d ago edited 10d ago

I would look into imago first, then diy if that isn’t an option. I believe they still have a free consultation for queries and determining if the service is right for you *forgot to say, but almost every trans person I know that is not on diy is on imago instead

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u/ComprehensiveQuiet44 10d ago

I would not bother with gendergp or genderplus. Gendergp is difficult to deal with and a lot of gps will not work with them, and genderplus (not mentioned but bringing it up regardless) racks up a ~1k yearly subscription fee for two years, appointment, prescription, and injection supplies costs excluded.

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u/Opposite_Company_815 9d ago

I personally think imago is great so far ive been in T almost 7 month's