Here's a bonus video on the painting in this video, Advent! (Also, Marcel Duchamp, my own woes and regrets... I die at the end 🪦) nebula.tv/videos/lilyalexandre-the-worlds-burning-lets-look-at-some-cool-art Nebula! 40% off with my link! go.nebula.tv/lilyalexandre
Slight correction at 36:50! Bica DOES stop male-pattern baldness. While your body still makes DHT, bica blocks the receptors that it attaches to. It blocking receptors instead of production also means it _increases_ T, as it's not really able to go anywhere. Disregard T levels while on it.
Bit of a disclaimer on the "tell your doctor, it'll be fine", in the UK they've been threatening to send the social services after people - so be really sure to be in a good place. Also, GPs have started actively dropping support for trans patients even if they've gone the official route, so if the doctor is currently helping unwittingly, then maybe don't rock that boat unless it's necessary.
Just wanted to note re: the law for US-based transmascs. Testosterone is schedule 3 federally but in some states like New York it’s schedule 2 which makes possession much more serious. If you do trades in schedule 2 states you definitely need to do them on Signal or other encrypted platforms as it is scheduled the same as m3th and h3roin. Do not depend on the idea that something that’s illegal but rarely enforced will remain so. Protect your peace and your privacy.
My dad (cis) just started taking testosterone bc he has energy issues and I got to show him how to inject it lol, we’re on literally the same medication even the same concentration, if United States access goes sideways I could see having any allied older men in your life getting a testosterone cypionate prescription being a potential work around
Hi Lily! I was on patches for 5 months, and I’d like to add a small note to that conversation. A niche, but ultimately for me deal-breaking, downside was the patch dump. The patches I had access to were heat-activated, meaning if they were exposed to heat in excess of normal body temperatures, the entire week’s dose could be “dumped” into my body at once. I had this risk confirmed the hard way when after a lovely hot bath I found myself feeling VERY swoony and weepy. (Specifically, as my partner liked to tease me about, I was crying in their arms asking them to tell me my ass is fat.) First, this caused me to burn through my supply faster than prescribed, and at least once I ran out of stock a while before my pharmacy was allowed to refill me. Second, for a lady whose self-care regimen relies on sumptuous hot baths, I found this intolerable, so I faced my fears and switched to injections!
i have tons of friends overseas and have been especially close to those in eastern europe. diy is the norm there and by god, they exist and have existed for longer than "professional medical" hrt. diy is awesome.
Everyone should be concerned about their hormones. It's something all humans have, no matter what they believe. Trans people and everbody else deserves access to HRT. Oh, and most men don't know that taking testosterone for a deficiency while older, is HRT lol. I take it myself and a lot of men think it's just taking a steroid or that we are NOT doing the same thing as the trans community. We most certainly are and it should be legal for everyone to get hormone treatment.
Just started watching but thanks for saying that diy is done “usually without doctor guiding you along” since there are some Russian diyers who work with t-friendly endocrinologists. Saying this to remind people that regardless of laws both trans people AND ALLIES will still be here. Gonna return to the video now
Just a warning for the girls who don't heed Lily's warning about looking up interactions between your preferred hormone therapy and other drugs, PLEASE look up the interactions between HRT and other drugs. It is super easy to accidentally take something that your choice of hormones interacts with, and it's a really easy accident that can be prevented with a little research.
I had NEVER considered puberty blockers as a compromise but the moment you said it it made complete sense. I'd always thought of puberty blockers for their role in hormone suppression, but wow yeah it being a tool to inconvenience trans people further also makes sense.
I've been following your work since your Mogai video and it's been so cool to see how you continue to make thoughtful and important content. Thanks for all your hard work you do for the community.
Hi, medical science phD here, the general reason to use a suppository rather than an oral pill, is that stuff absorbed through the rectum does not go through the liver before going into the rest of your body (unlike stuff absorbed from stomach or intestines). Thus, if the drug is usually broken down in the liver, doing a suppository will effectively result in a higher availability/concentration in the body. Now I have no clue about where hormones are broken down, but this is just general info. It also prevents stomach acidity destroying the drug if acid is bad for it.
In general, oral bioavailability for steroid hormones (both androgenic and estrogenic) is atrocious. 17-alkylated analogs have greatly increased oral bioavailability, but are also associated with liver toxicity. That said, estradiol is effective at such low doses that the oral route is still viable… less so for oral T.
Boofing is the unsung GOAT of drug administration. It's dead simple to do, bypasses liver metabolism for much faster and more complete blood concentration deployment, and doesn't destroy part of your body over time like nasal or injections can. No collapsed sinuses or abscesses. The only thing bad is the "ick" factor.
In my country (UK) HRT is insanely hard to get a prescription for (we're talking an 8-15 year wait and that's only going up) so I got it through DIY. Best decision I ever made. I have a great community of trans people around me to support me and make sure everything I do is fully safe and I know how to oversee my own care. If anyone ends up without any means of getting HRT - I recommend it. The community looks out for itself. There are sites with verified HRT sellers (I won't leave any links here)
Do you go DIY, or do you sign up on the 10 year waiting list to do it officially.... and then still go DIY because you can't wait and you've wanted this since you were 2
I appreciate the intensity of research behind this video. I also acknowledge and commend the complexity behind the ethical dilemma that comes with this topic that you and your team wrestled with throughout the process. This is a difficult, yet necessary, reality for so many people. Thank you for helping keep those in need as informed as you can.
I immediately downloaded this video when I saw it 2hrs after release, since I figured it wouldn’t be up long. Finally got around to start watching today, and, lo and behold, it was gone from my feed. So I guess it must be stirring up trouble already to be moved to link only access so quickly.
I used to find it strange that people went diy in my country. If they lived in a place where transitioning was impossible, i guessed that i could understand their choices. But in a country like mine with - what i thought to be - a robust transgender healthcare system, there should be no need for it. I used to think i was better than others because i was willing to work with the “legal” way of transitioning. And then my doctor ghosted me, and after having to email them many times i finally got a response: my supposed “6 month” wait for hrt had turned into 3 years. My appointments had to be scheduled this way, and there was no other way of doing things. It had to be 3 years. And now i have a bitcoin wallet.
Please consider also posting this video on other sites as YT is making it hard to download a copy. There are many needs for offshore and/or underground chemists and drug flows. It would be good to have above ground and underground underwriter testing facilities to ensure we are getting what we are ordering.
Likely (but may depend on your supplier) that the T you bought has cottonseed oil. But reach out to your supplier to be sure, especially if allergies are involved!!
I started HRT doing DIY for about 5 years, which I learned about on a DIY HRT Yahoo email group (and that sentence makes me feel super old), and agree with everything in this. Getting it through a doctor is better in theory, as long as your doctor doesn't suck, but DIY is such a great option if a prescription isn't readily available for any reason. It's awesome that more people will learn about that option through this video.
Great video, but DIY IS badass. To shun social norms, take your healthcare into your own hands, and inject yourself with hormones you sourced illicitly is tragic, but it’s also badass.
I asked about this on the R/Ftm thread and they deleted my post for transmed/tucute idealogy when my entire question was "What are the HRT internet cafes currently? I am in the US and want to stock up in case of a change in administration" Dumb as shit.
@@draxiss1577 Upper arm/shoulder is a good application area. Would argue heavily against applying it to the chest, but I’ve heard people do it. It takes 6 hours to absorb into your skin perfectly, so maybe shower first before applying if you know you have to wash up that day.
Love this!! Thanks for destigmatizing the discussion on this stuff. As a transmasc it's been really difficult finding info on my own, so I second making buddies in your local community!
As a biologist and trans person, i'm always skeptical of self-medicating. But, currently i'm in a public health-care line for HRT in brazil and what usually has a 6 months waiting line, is already 2 years long for me. As i get older, i understand more and more the desperation some of us experience to DIY a HRT. Each day I see my body changing more and more because of testosterone, and there's nothing i can actually do except wait or go illegal. This video came just in time as I decided yesterday to let my beard grow, because i'm tired of fighting against my body alone. Thank you, Lily, I think. I'm even more internally confused now.
This is more important than ever, I have been trying to find info on diy for YEARS but I genuinely couldn’t find barely anything, if the new executive goes through this will be life saving, thank you.
Downloading this video as quick as I can, thank you for making it If I lose my HRT, things will not be good. I don't want to be su*c*dal again. Much love to all fellow trans and non-binary sisters, brothers, and siblings out there ❤
Injections without blockers is the way to go. Cheapest, least side effects, and extremely effective. The endo's ive spoken to have also said the idea that you shouldn't start out with it is unfounded.
12:30 literally the only trans person that was able to start hrt in my small town was basically ran out. The only thing left on the wall of her was her school plaque of her scholarship. The nearest city with a public queer community is an hour away and i cant get there often. The joys of rual Iowa
this is also extremely important for the general public not only in the usa, but the international community. so many of us can only access hrt via diy. thank you
I did DIY as a minor for nearly 2 years without anyone knowing until it became very obvious I was on HRT. It absolutely saved my life and allowed me to pass before I could even legally acquire hormones without parental consent. IT WAS OBVIOUSLY NOT MY FIRST CHOICE, but when systems like in the UK or laws like in the US or parents like an individual choice prevent a person from accessing healthcare, the risks of not acquiring any care often outweigh the risks of acquiring potentially flawed care, thank you for sharing awarenesses about this topic, and here's a comment for the algorithm.
Before starting my medical transition, I moved to Sweden a few years back to get away from the US' rapid descent into fascism and the declining quality of safety and care for trans people. Unfortunately, I found the Swedish system for getting gender affirming care to be insufficient and horribly bureaucratic, so I decided to go with DIY. It's been so easy and made me so happy to be able to just *have* HRT without the bullshit process of affirming that I'm trans or needing some invisible board of admins deem whether or not I'm trans enough to deserve HRT. I'd recommend it to anyone who's having any difficulty accessing care.
people are gonna be mad about this video but I welcome it. it's important. I've been spreading the info and helping people through the process but I can't reach everyone. and even just combatting the myths around it is a great service to everyone
As someone who’s been on injections for over a year, it is worth mentioning that it is best practice to always wash your hands before handlign any needles and to use alcohol to wipe off the top of the bottle and the injection site (before injecting) just as good sanitary practice. Also in regards to whether this video should exist or not, I believe it should. Not all trans people have access to friends or community who can help them find these resources and they deserve this information as well. Also conservatives will always dig for and weaponize this information regardless of how publicly available it is.
I'm not trans and have never needed hormones, but I watched this entire video (on Nebula) because the topic was actually really interesting; learning about something I'm not otherwise familiar with. I'll bug my friends who know about YT video "saving" for this one, and will do what I can to spread the word to my friends who might need this in the future. Thank you.
Thank you so much for this! It's illuminating to discover that DIY for trans men is more attainable and potentially less felonious than I had assumed. You know. Just in case. [ed. to add] You also solved a years-long mystery for me, which is why my first entire year on HRT as a cream (dihydrotestosterone) did absolutely nothing, while switching to cypionate got changes rolling 3 months in.
PSA: Some pharmaceutical companies have slightly modified their formula/the preservative they use in their testosterone phials in the last few years. The new formula causes allergic reactions for a few people, including me. I had to switch to T-gel after having repeated severe inflammation lasting for weeks at a time, especially with intramuscular administration. Sub-q worked a bit better, but was still agonizing for a week or so. If you start injectable T, be careful with it and maybe start with smaller, more frequent doses instead of larger depot injections. I don't want to fearmonger at all, just wanting to let you guys know.
Anastrozole lowers estrogen. It's generally used to treat breast cancer, but is often used in conjunction with T for trans men. It's helped balance out things for me. It's one of the few things that this video is missing. I wouldn't go DIY unless you already know what you're doing with these medicines. If you aren't familiar, become intimately so as soon as possible. Go through docs first if you can. If it goes bad, do the thing.
i love what you said at the start about how we talk about DIY. some people's options are limited. the amount of research i had to do on my own, with little or no outside help because i had no choice was wild. and then i end up knowing more recent information than the doctor i saw when i finally got a prescription 🙃 eventually i went back to DIY just because i have more control. trans healthcare is such a wild west and access is so spotty. we should be more accepting and understanding of those that choose to DIY and information about it should be more widely available.
I cannot imagine the stress and fear trans people must be feeling right now. Im privileged enough to be a lesbian in a blue state, and if im worried i can’t imagine what our trans siblings feel. If you have trans loved ones, please support them in these times. We’re always gonna be here for you guys :)
I've been on DIY test for 7 months and have made and circulated a guide to accessing HRT. Fearmongering is rampant so I'm glad this is a resource. Never share sources directly unless you know that person well.
I definitely started the video off a bit upset that this was being talked about in public, but re-evaluated after you mentioned that this is already on the right wing's radar. I think we're at-risk enough of a crackdown that it makes sense to talk about it now, so that everyone's familiar with DIY channels and what could change legally and don't need to scramble if that day comes
i got so lucky with my doctor/hospital i feel. i live a red state, but the bluest portion of the state. i was sent to a group in my hospital that specialize in trans care, and my RN is the sweetest man ive ever met and he nicely explains everything to me. as far as i know they will be doing anything they can to allow their patients to continue the care they are already receiving. and i was assured that even if it all goes south they will find a way for me to get blood tests and check on my health if we have to go DIY.
I looked into this and I get the impression that these things are usually noted in people who are taking very, very high doses - doses that are never used (or at least never SUPPOSED to be used) for HRT. I think the risk for trans people is overstated - but you’re right, it still exists! Thanks for commenting
Even though I have a prescription, I just started DIY. And that's because the form of estrogen that fits me best isn't even available officially: estradiol undecylate injections. A small injection you can do yourself, only needed once a month!
My doctor didn’t want to take a baseline hormone blood test before starting my estrodiol. I asked her why and she said it’s not necessary. I thought that was kind of odd. Thanks for confirming that I’m not the only one who sees something wrong with this!
that same diy because of doctors not caring experience literally happened to me a few months ago, and I'm glad you're talking about this!!! You're the best
Don't know if you know it, but aside from estrogen pills, gels, patches and injections, there's also in spray. I take estradiol hemihydrate that's diluted on ethanol and the spray has kinda the shape of a satisfyer, you put it on your arm or thigh every day and once it dries out you're done! It works virtually the same way as the gel but it dries much faster, it won't take more than a minute to go back to what you were doing. I've seen reports of people applying it on the scrotum to have better absorption, but I wouldn't recommend it for risk of skin irritation. If you need to shower, preferibly do it before applying the spray or wait around 6 hours for it to completely absorb. Of all the things I've tried (pills, patches and gels) this is my prefered method, it's comfortable and quick, doesn't take much of my time and it's giving me the best results, if you can get ahold of it, I would gladly recommend it.
As someone with access- I know for a fact if my access had be denied or is ever removed, I would be doing the very same diy-ing. The stigma is only beneficial to those who seek to limit the amount of people allowed to live as themself.
This is fabulous. I'm so grateful for Lily's research and share. This is going to mean a lot to a lot of people who anticipate abuse, harassment, and arrest simply for existing.
It has probably been commented already, but just in case: GnRH agonists/analogues AKA "puberty blockers" are also used as anti-androgens for adults in the UK, ireland, and other european countries, even considered the gold standard. They come in injections or nasal sprays in my experience. You can use autoinjectors to help you inject if you buy the appropriate supplies. Progeseterone can rarely also convert to DHT, causing hair loss/growth Finasteride/Dutasteride are considered anti-androgens too, but not too good at it, but they can be used to stop hair loss for those whose bodies still produce DHT Cipro/bica, and any other medications that raise prolactin can be used as part of a regimen to induce lactation, if that's what you are after, but nailing it can be challenging without doctor support.
Commenting to boost the algo. Love your vids Lily! I’m in the uk and started HRT 8 years ago. Started with a private place called GenderGP and I was extremely lucky to get shared care with my NHS GP after a few months. This meant they did my bloods + blocker (Prostap injection), and some sketch looking but official online pharmacies dished my GenderGP prescription. I think theyve struggled with the influx and I don’t think they’re really reccomendable as good care now, but they were fantastic 8 years ago. I was on the NHS waiting list for about 3-4 years and then moved to full NHS care. If you want to DIY, take it slow, do it safe, and check your bloods regularly. Dont try to rush for the end game, you’re only putting yourself at more risk. Its an amazing journey of new experiences and learning as you transition, you’ll get there eventually. And remember you are not alone!
We live in such mindblowing awful times, to all trans people around the globe be strong. I always just bought my hrt on the drugstore or their website no questions asked since I started my transition in 2012. Doctors were always quite incompetent I talked with the "best endocrinologists" and they answered with "yep, that's okay, here are some bloodwork to check if it's fine". Sad that I will never live abroad because of hrt and adhd medication, gave up on this dream
Small detail I think is important to keep in mind about blood testing: the timing for these tests can be much more sensitive than just "which day", especially if you are using forms that are faster metabolising like daily estradiol pills. While doing my initial HRT trials with my doctor, we had a very confusing result where my E levels were nearly half as high after no change to prescription. It turned out that the previous time I'd taken my blood test, I did it right after my appointment (so ~2:00-3:00pm; roughly halfway between my twice-daily doses), whereas usually I had been doing them early in the morning just before my usual morning dose. So rule of thumb: once you decide the appropriate time to test, be sure to keep that timing consistent. You want the results you are seeing to be comparable to each other, so stick with that specific time / day after dosage as best as possible.
20:00 a potential work around that I know some people have managed to pull off is to get your prescription code reclassified to a hormone deficiency. Of course this is gonna depend a lot on your doctor, but if you feel like it's worth the risk of asking and assuage fears of your backlog compromising you, it's potentially a way.
About Cyproterone acetate: In addition to what you said, even 10mg CPA per day can absolutely kill your libido. This includes not only your sex drive but all kinds of life experiences, basically the fundamental joy to experience life can be massively dulled with CPA. And if you already have clinical depression, the stuff can make you outright suicidal. I was on it for half a year and those effects crawl up on you very sneakily.
This is good information for HRT generally, DIY or not. Informed consent is great, but it's only as good as the person informing you. In many cases, that person is not well informed themselves. Having this information going in can help you advocate for yourself with doctors. I went legit after DIYing, and it was pretty clear early on that I was probably better equipped than my doc. Luckily she recognized this and takes my input seriously. DIYers make the legit medical community better too.
Also, it's pretty easy for older men to get a T subscription. Weird, right? You might even know a guy that has one and not even know it, it's so common. It isn't actually an expensive drug to make.
i already ripped this video onto my hard drive incase shit goes south. actually thank you so much for making this, because im gonna probably need it when i and my girlfriend decide to transition in the next 2 or 3 years
Something missing from the list of available forms of testosterone: solutions (topical like gel but applied under armpits, less likely to rub off on people, and generally cheaper) and a less common but still existent nasal spray. Their availability for DIY is not known to me, but they do exist. The oil suspensions can be really tricky for all injectable HRT because the most commonly used are cottonseed, sesame seed, and grapeseed - sesame being a really common allergy means yeah, people need to be super super careful and know exactly which type of oil their hormones are being suspended with
Here's a bonus video on the painting in this video, Advent! (Also, Marcel Duchamp, my own woes and regrets... I die at the end 🪦) nebula.tv/videos/lilyalexandre-the-worlds-burning-lets-look-at-some-cool-art
Nebula! 40% off with my link! go.nebula.tv/lilyalexandre
Slight correction at 36:50! Bica DOES stop male-pattern baldness. While your body still makes DHT, bica blocks the receptors that it attaches to. It blocking receptors instead of production also means it _increases_ T, as it's not really able to go anywhere. Disregard T levels while on it.
all this fucking time i thought diy hrt was going full walter white and cooking some hrt yourself holy shit
Bit of a disclaimer on the "tell your doctor, it'll be fine", in the UK they've been threatening to send the social services after people - so be really sure to be in a good place. Also, GPs have started actively dropping support for trans patients even if they've gone the official route, so if the doctor is currently helping unwittingly, then maybe don't rock that boat unless it's necessary.
Just wanted to note re: the law for US-based transmascs. Testosterone is schedule 3 federally but in some states like New York it’s schedule 2 which makes possession much more serious. If you do trades in schedule 2 states you definitely need to do them on Signal or other encrypted platforms as it is scheduled the same as m3th and h3roin. Do not depend on the idea that something that’s illegal but rarely enforced will remain so. Protect your peace and your privacy.
My dad (cis) just started taking testosterone bc he has energy issues and I got to show him how to inject it lol, we’re on literally the same medication even the same concentration, if United States access goes sideways I could see having any allied older men in your life getting a testosterone cypionate prescription being a potential work around
Hi Lily! I was on patches for 5 months, and I’d like to add a small note to that conversation. A niche, but ultimately for me deal-breaking, downside was the patch dump. The patches I had access to were heat-activated, meaning if they were exposed to heat in excess of normal body temperatures, the entire week’s dose could be “dumped” into my body at once. I had this risk confirmed the hard way when after a lovely hot bath I found myself feeling VERY swoony and weepy. (Specifically, as my partner liked to tease me about, I was crying in their arms asking them to tell me my ass is fat.) First, this caused me to burn through my supply faster than prescribed, and at least once I ran out of stock a while before my pharmacy was allowed to refill me. Second, for a lady whose self-care regimen relies on sumptuous hot baths, I found this intolerable, so I faced my fears and switched to injections!
Not me already in the middle of downloading the video when I hear "By all means, rip a copy of this video and keep a copy on your hard drive"
honestly I downloaded it immediately
What website/app would you recommended to do this? Thinking of doing the same
@@raven_5211 how do you download it? Did you use a third party app/extension?
and then youtube hits you with the "HTTP Error 403: Forbidden"
@@raven_5211 I had the exact same experience lol
In my country (Russia) where all trans health care (even for adults) is prohibited, DIY HRT is the only option for the people like me.
i have tons of friends overseas and have been especially close to those in eastern europe. diy is the norm there and by god, they exist and have existed for longer than "professional medical" hrt. diy is awesome.
Everyone should be concerned about their hormones. It's something all humans have, no matter what they believe. Trans people and everbody else deserves access to HRT. Oh, and most men don't know that taking testosterone for a deficiency while older, is HRT lol. I take it myself and a lot of men think it's just taking a steroid or that we are NOT doing the same thing as the trans community. We most certainly are and it should be legal for everyone to get hormone treatment.
Just started watching but thanks for saying that diy is done “usually without doctor guiding you along” since there are some Russian diyers who work with t-friendly endocrinologists. Saying this to remind people that regardless of laws both trans people AND ALLIES will still be here. Gonna return to the video now
I'm so glad I ripped this, even though I can still technically access it if it's unlisted, just some peace of mind
yh same honestly just noticed it got unlisted
Just a warning for the girls who don't heed Lily's warning about looking up interactions between your preferred hormone therapy and other drugs, PLEASE look up the interactions between HRT and other drugs. It is super easy to accidentally take something that your choice of hormones interacts with, and it's a really easy accident that can be prevented with a little research.
diy saved my life and this video is incredibly important, thank you lily
DIYers: take a daily low dose aspirin to reduce your stroke risk, please.
60yo transman here:
my Dr has me on a blood thinner to reduce stroke risk & has agreed with my 'aging male' reduced dosing sched of .04 T-cyp @ 10 days subQ (into my belly fat)
We don't want strokes.
I've had one. It $u©Ked.
Stay hydrated.
Stay calm.
It's like the 80's, Again.
I had NEVER considered puberty blockers as a compromise but the moment you said it it made complete sense. I'd always thought of puberty blockers for their role in hormone suppression, but wow yeah it being a tool to inconvenience trans people further also makes sense.
I've been following your work since your Mogai video and it's been so cool to see how you continue to make thoughtful and important content. Thanks for all your hard work you do for the community.
Hi, medical science phD here, the general reason to use a suppository rather than an oral pill, is that stuff absorbed through the rectum does not go through the liver before going into the rest of your body (unlike stuff absorbed from stomach or intestines). Thus, if the drug is usually broken down in the liver, doing a suppository will effectively result in a higher availability/concentration in the body. Now I have no clue about where hormones are broken down, but this is just general info.
It also prevents stomach acidity destroying the drug if acid is bad for it.
The two other methods are injection and patches which escape the liver. Which is generally a good idea imo.
@@MichiruEll Does it get absorbed through the lymphatic system like test undecanoate?
In general, oral bioavailability for steroid hormones (both androgenic and estrogenic) is atrocious.
17-alkylated analogs have greatly increased oral bioavailability, but are also associated with liver toxicity.
That said, estradiol is effective at such low doses that the oral route is still viable… less so for oral T.
Boofing is the unsung GOAT of drug administration. It's dead simple to do, bypasses liver metabolism for much faster and more complete blood concentration deployment, and doesn't destroy part of your body over time like nasal or injections can. No collapsed sinuses or abscesses. The only thing bad is the "ick" factor.
Quite frequently T uses nut oils as a suspension fluid, just a head up for nut allergy people!
In my country (UK) HRT is insanely hard to get a prescription for (we're talking an 8-15 year wait and that's only going up) so I got it through DIY. Best decision I ever made. I have a great community of trans people around me to support me and make sure everything I do is fully safe and I know how to oversee my own care.
If anyone ends up without any means of getting HRT - I recommend it. The community looks out for itself. There are sites with verified HRT sellers (I won't leave any links here)
Do you go DIY, or do you sign up on the 10 year waiting list to do it officially.... and then still go DIY because you can't wait and you've wanted this since you were 2
I appreciate the intensity of research behind this video.
I also acknowledge and commend the complexity behind the ethical dilemma that comes with this topic that you and your team wrestled with throughout the process. This is a difficult, yet necessary, reality for so many people. Thank you for helping keep those in need as informed as you can.
I immediately downloaded this video when I saw it 2hrs after release, since I figured it wouldn’t be up long. Finally got around to start watching today, and, lo and behold, it was gone from my feed. So I guess it must be stirring up trouble already to be moved to link only access so quickly.
I used to find it strange that people went diy in my country. If they lived in a place where transitioning was impossible, i guessed that i could understand their choices. But in a country like mine with - what i thought to be - a robust transgender healthcare system, there should be no need for it. I used to think i was better than others because i was willing to work with the “legal” way of transitioning. And then my doctor ghosted me, and after having to email them many times i finally got a response: my supposed “6 month” wait for hrt had turned into 3 years. My appointments had to be scheduled this way, and there was no other way of doing things. It had to be 3 years. And now i have a bitcoin wallet.
Oh no, this got unlisted... I'm downloading it right now just in case.
Please consider also posting this video on other sites as YT is making it hard to download a copy. There are many needs for offshore and/or underground chemists and drug flows. It would be good to have above ground and underground underwriter testing facilities to ensure we are getting what we are ordering.
Likely (but may depend on your supplier) that the T you bought has cottonseed oil. But reach out to your supplier to be sure, especially if allergies are involved!!
Alright, huge video for me! Cool that you're covering this topic, cheers! 🌻
I started HRT doing DIY for about 5 years, which I learned about on a DIY HRT Yahoo email group (and that sentence makes me feel super old), and agree with everything in this.
Getting it through a doctor is better in theory, as long as your doctor doesn't suck, but DIY is such a great option if a prescription isn't readily available for any reason. It's awesome that more people will learn about that option through this video.
Great video, but DIY IS badass. To shun social norms, take your healthcare into your own hands, and inject yourself with hormones you sourced illicitly is tragic, but it’s also badass.
I asked about this on the R/Ftm thread and they deleted my post for transmed/tucute idealogy when my entire question was "What are the HRT internet cafes currently? I am in the US and want to stock up in case of a change in administration"
Dumb as shit.
43:00 How do you apply the T Gel on your skin subcutaneously or intramuscularly? I think that might be a mistake, unless I am not reading that right.
Omg, oh no! 😱 You’re right I copied the T injections slide and forgot to change that part, thanks for catching it
@@draxiss1577 Upper arm/shoulder is a good application area. Would argue heavily against applying it to the chest, but I’ve heard people do it. It takes 6 hours to absorb into your skin perfectly, so maybe shower first before applying if you know you have to wash up that day.
Love this!! Thanks for destigmatizing the discussion on this stuff. As a transmasc it's been really difficult finding info on my own, so I second making buddies in your local community!
Imma be real here. For the longest time I thought DIY meant breaking out the beakers and cooking that up yourself like you’re Walter White 😅
A world without us has never and will never exist
Posting to boost this in the algorithm
As an exec of a queer-centric college club... This is about to get shared *so* hard.
downloaded so I can share with my friends! thank you!
As a biologist and trans person, i'm always skeptical of self-medicating. But, currently i'm in a public health-care line for HRT in brazil and what usually has a 6 months waiting line, is already 2 years long for me. As i get older, i understand more and more the desperation some of us experience to DIY a HRT. Each day I see my body changing more and more because of testosterone, and there's nothing i can actually do except wait or go illegal.
This video came just in time as I decided yesterday to let my beard grow, because i'm tired of fighting against my body alone. Thank you, Lily, I think. I'm even more internally confused now.
This is more important than ever, I have been trying to find info on diy for YEARS but I genuinely couldn’t find barely anything, if the new executive goes through this will be life saving, thank you.
Downloading this video as quick as I can, thank you for making it
If I lose my HRT, things will not be good. I don't want to be su*c*dal again.
Much love to all fellow trans and non-binary sisters, brothers, and siblings out there ❤
Injections without blockers is the way to go. Cheapest, least side effects, and extremely effective. The endo's ive spoken to have also said the idea that you shouldn't start out with it is unfounded.
Danke!
43:30 Also, DHT drives up risk of prostate cancer, though I'm not sure if it screws up something else if you lack a prostate.
12:30 literally the only trans person that was able to start hrt in my small town was basically ran out. The only thing left on the wall of her was her school plaque of her scholarship. The nearest city with a public queer community is an hour away and i cant get there often. The joys of rual Iowa
This video is literally going to save lives.
this is also extremely important for the general public not only in the usa, but the international community. so many of us can only access hrt via diy. thank you
I did DIY as a minor for nearly 2 years without anyone knowing until it became very obvious I was on HRT. It absolutely saved my life and allowed me to pass before I could even legally acquire hormones without parental consent. IT WAS OBVIOUSLY NOT MY FIRST CHOICE, but when systems like in the UK or laws like in the US or parents like an individual choice prevent a person from accessing healthcare, the risks of not acquiring any care often outweigh the risks of acquiring potentially flawed care, thank you for sharing awarenesses about this topic, and here's a comment for the algorithm.
girl ur hair is so cute
Before starting my medical transition, I moved to Sweden a few years back to get away from the US' rapid descent into fascism and the declining quality of safety and care for trans people. Unfortunately, I found the Swedish system for getting gender affirming care to be insufficient and horribly bureaucratic, so I decided to go with DIY. It's been so easy and made me so happy to be able to just *have* HRT without the bullshit process of affirming that I'm trans or needing some invisible board of admins deem whether or not I'm trans enough to deserve HRT.
I'd recommend it to anyone who's having any difficulty accessing care.
people are gonna be mad about this video but I welcome it. it's important. I've been spreading the info and helping people through the process but I can't reach everyone. and even just combatting the myths around it is a great service to everyone
One minute in, and I ripped the video to store on my hard drive for safety. Great that you mention it later in the video!
this is important
As someone who’s been on injections for over a year, it is worth mentioning that it is best practice to always wash your hands before handlign any needles and to use alcohol to wipe off the top of the bottle and the injection site (before injecting) just as good sanitary practice.
Also in regards to whether this video should exist or not, I believe it should. Not all trans people have access to friends or community who can help them find these resources and they deserve this information as well. Also conservatives will always dig for and weaponize this information regardless of how publicly available it is.
I'm not trans and have never needed hormones, but I watched this entire video (on Nebula) because the topic was actually really interesting; learning about something I'm not otherwise familiar with. I'll bug my friends who know about YT video "saving" for this one, and will do what I can to spread the word to my friends who might need this in the future. Thank you.
This is a really informative video. It would be great if you could put it on another platform like Peertube where it's less likely to get taken down.
Thank you so much for this! It's illuminating to discover that DIY for trans men is more attainable and potentially less felonious than I had assumed. You know. Just in case. [ed. to add] You also solved a years-long mystery for me, which is why my first entire year on HRT as a cream (dihydrotestosterone) did absolutely nothing, while switching to cypionate got changes rolling 3 months in.
PSA: Some pharmaceutical companies have slightly modified their formula/the preservative they use in their testosterone phials in the last few years.
The new formula causes allergic reactions for a few people, including me. I had to switch to T-gel after having repeated severe inflammation lasting for weeks at a time, especially with intramuscular administration. Sub-q worked a bit better, but was still agonizing for a week or so.
If you start injectable T, be careful with it and maybe start with smaller, more frequent doses instead of larger depot injections.
I don't want to fearmonger at all, just wanting to let you guys know.
Anastrozole lowers estrogen. It's generally used to treat breast cancer, but is often used in conjunction with T for trans men. It's helped balance out things for me. It's one of the few things that this video is missing.
I wouldn't go DIY unless you already know what you're doing with these medicines. If you aren't familiar, become intimately so as soon as possible. Go through docs first if you can. If it goes bad, do the thing.
i love what you said at the start about how we talk about DIY. some people's options are limited. the amount of research i had to do on my own, with little or no outside help because i had no choice was wild. and then i end up knowing more recent information than the doctor i saw when i finally got a prescription 🙃 eventually i went back to DIY just because i have more control.
trans healthcare is such a wild west and access is so spotty. we should be more accepting and understanding of those that choose to DIY and information about it should be more widely available.
I cannot imagine the stress and fear trans people must be feeling right now. Im privileged enough to be a lesbian in a blue state, and if im worried i can’t imagine what our trans siblings feel. If you have trans loved ones, please support them in these times. We’re always gonna be here for you guys :)
I've been on DIY test for 7 months and have made and circulated a guide to accessing HRT. Fearmongering is rampant so I'm glad this is a resource. Never share sources directly unless you know that person well.
you’re genuinely one of my heroes. thank you so much for this video. you’re amazing
Thanks Lily, when I was 16 or 17 this was the only way I could get hormones and it saved my life
I definitely started the video off a bit upset that this was being talked about in public, but re-evaluated after you mentioned that this is already on the right wing's radar. I think we're at-risk enough of a crackdown that it makes sense to talk about it now, so that everyone's familiar with DIY channels and what could change legally and don't need to scramble if that day comes
So which one of y'all has the mass spectrometer?
i got so lucky with my doctor/hospital i feel. i live a red state, but the bluest portion of the state. i was sent to a group in my hospital that specialize in trans care, and my RN is the sweetest man ive ever met and he nicely explains everything to me. as far as i know they will be doing anything they can to allow their patients to continue the care they are already receiving. and i was assured that even if it all goes south they will find a way for me to get blood tests and check on my health if we have to go DIY.
PSA: bicalutamide has a small risk of liver and lung toxicity, it’s very important to monitor with blood tests for the first year of taking bica
I looked into this and I get the impression that these things are usually noted in people who are taking very, very high doses - doses that are never used (or at least never SUPPOSED to be used) for HRT. I think the risk for trans people is overstated - but you’re right, it still exists! Thanks for commenting
This is such an incredible resource. Thank you for putting this together.
i love your haircut. and the way you gesture and move your head when you speak is so satisfying to me. thank you for sharing
Even though I have a prescription, I just started DIY. And that's because the form of estrogen that fits me best isn't even available officially: estradiol undecylate injections. A small injection you can do yourself, only needed once a month!
Thank you for all the effort you put into this.
My doctor didn’t want to take a baseline hormone blood test before starting my estrodiol. I asked her why and she said it’s not necessary. I thought that was kind of odd. Thanks for confirming that I’m not the only one who sees something wrong with this!
that same diy because of doctors not caring experience literally happened to me a few months ago, and I'm glad you're talking about this!!! You're the best
Don't know if you know it, but aside from estrogen pills, gels, patches and injections, there's also in spray.
I take estradiol hemihydrate that's diluted on ethanol and the spray has kinda the shape of a satisfyer, you put it on your arm or thigh every day and once it dries out you're done! It works virtually the same way as the gel but it dries much faster, it won't take more than a minute to go back to what you were doing.
I've seen reports of people applying it on the scrotum to have better absorption, but I wouldn't recommend it for risk of skin irritation.
If you need to shower, preferibly do it before applying the spray or wait around 6 hours for it to completely absorb.
Of all the things I've tried (pills, patches and gels) this is my prefered method, it's comfortable and quick, doesn't take much of my time and it's giving me the best results, if you can get ahold of it, I would gladly recommend it.
As someone with access- I know for a fact if my access had be denied or is ever removed, I would be doing the very same diy-ing. The stigma is only beneficial to those who seek to limit the amount of people allowed to live as themself.
This video provided great info with incredible, perfect timing- thank you!
This is fabulous. I'm so grateful for Lily's research and share. This is going to mean a lot to a lot of people who anticipate abuse, harassment, and arrest simply for existing.
always the kinda thing ive known i should do and never have, probably largely out of laziness. i really admire u a ton.
It has probably been commented already, but just in case:
GnRH agonists/analogues AKA "puberty blockers" are also used as anti-androgens for adults in the UK, ireland, and other european countries, even considered the gold standard. They come in injections or nasal sprays in my experience.
You can use autoinjectors to help you inject if you buy the appropriate supplies.
Progeseterone can rarely also convert to DHT, causing hair loss/growth
Finasteride/Dutasteride are considered anti-androgens too, but not too good at it, but they can be used to stop hair loss for those whose bodies still produce DHT
Cipro/bica, and any other medications that raise prolactin can be used as part of a regimen to induce lactation, if that's what you are after, but nailing it can be challenging without doctor support.
Commenting to boost the algo. Love your vids Lily! I’m in the uk and started HRT 8 years ago. Started with a private place called GenderGP and I was extremely lucky to get shared care with my NHS GP after a few months. This meant they did my bloods + blocker (Prostap injection), and some sketch looking but official online pharmacies dished my GenderGP prescription. I think theyve struggled with the influx and I don’t think they’re really reccomendable as good care now, but they were fantastic 8 years ago. I was on the NHS waiting list for about 3-4 years and then moved to full NHS care.
If you want to DIY, take it slow, do it safe, and check your bloods regularly. Dont try to rush for the end game, you’re only putting yourself at more risk. Its an amazing journey of new experiences and learning as you transition, you’ll get there eventually. And remember you are not alone!
We live in such mindblowing awful times, to all trans people around the globe be strong. I always just bought my hrt on the drugstore or their website no questions asked since I started my transition in 2012. Doctors were always quite incompetent I talked with the "best endocrinologists" and they answered with "yep, that's okay, here are some bloodwork to check if it's fine". Sad that I will never live abroad because of hrt and adhd medication, gave up on this dream
Small detail I think is important to keep in mind about blood testing: the timing for these tests can be much more sensitive than just "which day", especially if you are using forms that are faster metabolising like daily estradiol pills. While doing my initial HRT trials with my doctor, we had a very confusing result where my E levels were nearly half as high after no change to prescription. It turned out that the previous time I'd taken my blood test, I did it right after my appointment (so ~2:00-3:00pm; roughly halfway between my twice-daily doses), whereas usually I had been doing them early in the morning just before my usual morning dose.
So rule of thumb: once you decide the appropriate time to test, be sure to keep that timing consistent. You want the results you are seeing to be comparable to each other, so stick with that specific time / day after dosage as best as possible.
20:00 a potential work around that I know some people have managed to pull off is to get your prescription code reclassified to a hormone deficiency. Of course this is gonna depend a lot on your doctor, but if you feel like it's worth the risk of asking and assuage fears of your backlog compromising you, it's potentially a way.
About Cyproterone acetate: In addition to what you said, even 10mg CPA per day can absolutely kill your libido. This includes not only your sex drive but all kinds of life experiences, basically the fundamental joy to experience life can be massively dulled with CPA. And if you already have clinical depression, the stuff can make you outright suicidal. I was on it for half a year and those effects crawl up on you very sneakily.
If you're late taking E every time you're still consistent
EVERY TRANS PERSON IN THE US NEEDS TO WATCH
This video couldn't have come at a better time. Exacly when I started panicking 💀 thanks, lily, love all of your content.
watching it after it's no longer public. I'm gonna save this somewhere
@@k4kadu SAMEEE I found it in my history
This is good information for HRT generally, DIY or not. Informed consent is great, but it's only as good as the person informing you. In many cases, that person is not well informed themselves. Having this information going in can help you advocate for yourself with doctors.
I went legit after DIYing, and it was pretty clear early on that I was probably better equipped than my doc. Luckily she recognized this and takes my input seriously. DIYers make the legit medical community better too.
yo that piece of art behind u is really cool i like the symbolism and little details of it
the people’s princess to me!!
Not listed already? So sad
I really appreciate the 90s VHS informational tape aesthetic in the graphics
That's what DIY HRT is? Just controlling your own dosage? I always thought it meant like, synthesizing your own
Also, it's pretty easy for older men to get a T subscription. Weird, right?
You might even know a guy that has one and not even know it, it's so common. It isn't actually an expensive drug to make.
i already ripped this video onto my hard drive incase shit goes south. actually thank you so much for making this, because im gonna probably need it when i and my girlfriend decide to transition in the next 2 or 3 years
Something missing from the list of available forms of testosterone: solutions (topical like gel but applied under armpits, less likely to rub off on people, and generally cheaper) and a less common but still existent nasal spray. Their availability for DIY is not known to me, but they do exist.
The oil suspensions can be really tricky for all injectable HRT because the most commonly used are cottonseed, sesame seed, and grapeseed - sesame being a really common allergy means yeah, people need to be super super careful and know exactly which type of oil their hormones are being suspended with