Got pulled over by a cop for the first time since transitioning. My ID has my old name / face, so I was terrified. I’m in a rural area with a large MAGA presence.

He was incredibly kind, apologized for being “disrespectful” when confirming my legal name, and then asked for a preferred name to use. I ended up not getting a ticket, and he called me ma’am when we parted ways.

The rest of my week was also great, if uneventful.

This is huge, thank you so much! I’m sorry to hear how stressful your situation has been, the US healthcare system does indeed suck.

I was not attracted to men before. Now, I am still not attracted to men. I do find myself understanding the appeal more now, if that makes sense.

I’m trying so hard not to be jealous! You look amazing girlfriend!

Hi! So ymmv, but this was my experience.

I also had taken years to become more comfortable with sex, prior to starting hrt. I have been on hrt now for almost a year, and things have changed a lot.

however

The changes were all things that I was able to clearly communicate to my partner, which made it easier for her. I wasn’t confused, just knew that my body appreciates a different approach now.
I would say that I started from an “okay” place, sexually. Now I am very confident and comfortable.

My libido took a dive initially, but is now up to a level I am happy with. I think it’s improved since I feel more desirable now. I don’t worry anymore, “ugh, why would anyone want to have sex with that,” when I look in the mirror.

I’ve been kicking the can down the road but I finally installed Linux last weekend. Couldn’t be happier to have Windows garbage off my PC.

I had both tested, but the T results are just taking longer. Thanks for the concern :)

That’s a good point. My shot was on a Sunday, and the test was taken on a Tuesday.

For context, I know we have this chart

in the transfem literature, but my doctor also provided this table with my results:
Female
Follicular Phase: 12-233 pg/mL
Ovulation Phase: 41-398 pg/mL
Luteal Phase: 22-341 pg/mL
Postmenopausal: <138 pg/mL
Which seems to suggest that my level would be acceptable.

to have the same surgeon perform the orchi and later the vaginoplasty.

This is really good advice, thanks.

Have you gone to local trans support groups and spoken with any local trans women who have had an orchi?

I have never knowingly met another trans person IRL. I’m in a pretty red area, but I’m sure there are others. I have no idea where I’d look though.

I could always try to see how that experience goes for her and find out her surgeon if that would help… I can also DM you details of my surgeon

I would appreciate that!

This is called, “yucking someone’s yum.”

I’ve read quite a bit of the estrogen/ anti-androgen sections, but apparently nowhere near enough of the progestogen topics.

Wow, thank you so much for taking the time to explain this. I have my checkup later this month and will make sure to let them know I want to switch my meds.
I thought I was reasonably well read on HRT, but this is a whole new area I know very little about. Thankful for people like you <3

Oh wow I’m not sure. This is what I’m taking.

Okay, my prescription is a 5mg oral tablet every day. This article is talking about 200+ mg orally to be effective, or 100mg rectally. Why in the world would my prescription be so low??
Also:

Administration of oral micronized progesterone capsules rectally instead of orally likewise may be effective and may achieve much higher progesterone levels than oral administration. However, rectal administration of oral progesterone capsules has not been formally studied.

Am I wasting money having 5mg per day orally? Would have been nice to know 6 months ago when I started.

Okay hi time for a dumb question. How else do you take it? I wasn’t aware there were options ;-;

Wow, rude.

First of all, I think violence is an appropriate response. That doesn’t mean I have to wish there was more of it. Is it going to be necessary? Almost certainly. But anyone who wants violence should take a long hard look at themselves.

Civil war would lead to starvation, infanticide, rape, and other atrocities. Are horrible things already happening? Obviously. Do you really think there is something “wrong” with someone who doesn’t get off to the idea of more suffering?

We probably agree about more than we disagree, and I don’t think anything I said warrants such hostility. That’s all I’ll say.

Fascist tyranny, but I wouldn’t consider it war.

Possibly? Maybe he slept with the shooter’s wife.

I’m aware of the paradox, and that it wasn’t high caliber ideas in the 2nd world war that defeated Nazis, but rather bullets.
Regardless of the sentiments going around, the US is not currently at war with itself. I would rather not get to that point if it can be helped. Call me naive, but I think civil war can still be avoided.