• PugJesus@lemmy.worldEnglish
    0·
    9 days ago

    Uh, okay, but at most this is “Commenter wants medical providers to be more cautious than is necessary”, and

    prioritizing mental support through therapy might be a good start before the physical treatment.

    is hardly a statement of gatekeeping

    • Sunshine (she/her)@lemmy.caOP
      0·
      9 days ago

      You do not understand how it feels to look at your body and feel out of place. It eats you alive. Therapy can only help so much.

      • Kit@lemmy.blahaj.zone
        0·
        9 days ago

        I’m trans and I support therapy before HRT, but I disagree with the sentiment that it’s because of possibilities of regret. I believe that gender-focused therapy helps one prepare for the changes and challenges they will endure on HRT - it’s a big step, afterall. Approaching medical transition with strong mental health is essential to wellbeing while undergoing difficult and impactful changes.

        For context, when I started on HRT in the early 2010s it was normal to be required to have a panel interview with your therapist, another mental health professional, and a medical doctor (with whom you had had a physical exam and blood tests) to present your case and ensure that HRT was the best treatment option before starting. It was a rite of passage for trans people who pursued HRT. I’m glad that things have gotten easier now, but at the time it helped me feel certain that I was ready and fully prepared.

        • Jerkface (any/all)@lemmy.caEnglish
          1·
          8 days ago

          Honestly, therapy is an almost necessary part of gender-affirming care. It doesn’t just prepare you or help you go through it, it’s fully part of it.