The conservative government is trying to underfund and undermine the NHS so that people do switch to private healthcare and they don’t have to pay for it any more. And then they claim it wasn’t their fault, as people chose to switch. You’re helping them.
As opposed to the US model of arbitrarily changing based on your employer, or whatever plans they choose to sponsor for you for a given year? Oh yeah, that’s in addition to whatever party’s in power tinkering with availability/access (look at mifepristone for an example)
What’s your point? “Your system isn’t perfect, reeeee!!!” Ok, and? How does this add anything, anything at all, to the conversation?
Yes, but it’s a bit hard to get; even in countries that try to improve trans-care rather than reduce it.
There are just so many therapists; the waiting lists are sometimes simply closed because they stretch years.
For many people, these hormones mean the difference between a livable life and extreme dysphoria, depression and suicidality.
If they could get them on the regular way, they would. But the regular way is often full of problems. So some people have to fall back to just do it themself.
I even heard of doctors who do some medical checks under the counter to ensure everything is done as safe as possible (but aren’t able to prescribe hormones themself without prior psychotherapeutical indication)
So; your point would be valid in theory,
but unfortunately for many trans-people, it’s the only way to get their possibly life-saving medication.
I don’t disagree with the point that it shouldn’t need to be this way.
But it is what it is; and it’s live saving medication that has to come from somewhere.
People are fighting to tackle the problem officially; but they also have to somehow live in the meantime.
Almost all trans people would prefer a prescription and medical supervision above having to pay themself and guesstimate the doses without proper bloodwork. But some just don’t have any alternatives.
And to be clear: I will always recommend people to try the official way first. local transpersons that asked me for advice all got a “I can help you get therapy; I can help you to skip therapy and go the indication route; I can reluctantly help you skip indication and go the informed-consent-route without psychotherapists but still medical supervision, even tho I really discourage that unless your transidentity is obvious since many years; but I will not help you to get DIY (without medical supervision) unless you tried the official approaches, sorry”.
But for some people, there is no other option than DIY. Getting a place for therapy can be really hard, and some countries have no alternative routes to get a prescription with medical supervision without going through years of therapy first.
(Btw, I don’t know how the laws are in the UK. I’m from germany. But the problem is the same everywhere. I got lucky to be able to get a prescription, tho; but I know a few people that weren’t)
It’s a relief valve though. As someone who has suffered from unavailable care, black market drugs probably saved my life. I’m not terribly against adults being able to make such decisions on their own judgment.
How so? I’m assuming there’s a regulatory body that determines what’s legal and what’s not, and what requires prescription. That this body doesn’t seem to be working well/fast enough seems to be the main issue.
Well obviously people using black market drugs are taking a huge health risk 'cos, well, it’s a black market… very unreliable due to its very nature. Use some critical thinking, it won’t hurt you.
Don’t you need a prescription for them? Of course they wouldn’t want shady online retailers selling controlled substances.
estrogen’s not a controlled substance tho
It is tho.
Maybe if they UK provided prescriptions to people in a timely manner, people wouldn’t resort to other means of getting their medical treatment.
A lot of these complaints seem to be issues that come with socialized healthcare.
yes access to medical care in the us is never infringed upon
e.g. if you want a given medical procedure performed, there is no way for the state to stop you
Poorly organized socialized healthcare, sure.
Intentionally biased socialized medicine, too. Imagine if you had to wait 10 months for abortion prescriptions.
Great reasons the government shouldn’t be in charge of healthcare! Your options could change based on whatever party is in power
As opposed to private Healthcare where they’re guaranteed to screw you over.
The conservative government is trying to underfund and undermine the NHS so that people do switch to private healthcare and they don’t have to pay for it any more. And then they claim it wasn’t their fault, as people chose to switch. You’re helping them.
As opposed to the US model of arbitrarily changing based on your employer, or whatever plans they choose to sponsor for you for a given year? Oh yeah, that’s in addition to whatever party’s in power tinkering with availability/access (look at mifepristone for an example)
What’s your point? “Your system isn’t perfect, reeeee!!!” Ok, and? How does this add anything, anything at all, to the conversation?
Yes you do, which they explicitly and deliberately make next to impossible to access through legitimate channels
In the us, estrogen is not a controlled substance, and not controlled as a steroid, T is.
Since when is this post about US? A lot of dangerous shit is legal there.
Yes, but it’s a bit hard to get; even in countries that try to improve trans-care rather than reduce it.
There are just so many therapists; the waiting lists are sometimes simply closed because they stretch years.
For many people, these hormones mean the difference between a livable life and extreme dysphoria, depression and suicidality.
If they could get them on the regular way, they would. But the regular way is often full of problems. So some people have to fall back to just do it themself.
I even heard of doctors who do some medical checks under the counter to ensure everything is done as safe as possible (but aren’t able to prescribe hormones themself without prior psychotherapeutical indication)
So; your point would be valid in theory, but unfortunately for many trans-people, it’s the only way to get their possibly life-saving medication.
Then that’s the problem to tackle. Buying black market drugs is not a reliable solution.
I don’t disagree with the point that it shouldn’t need to be this way.
But it is what it is; and it’s live saving medication that has to come from somewhere.
People are fighting to tackle the problem officially; but they also have to somehow live in the meantime.
Almost all trans people would prefer a prescription and medical supervision above having to pay themself and guesstimate the doses without proper bloodwork. But some just don’t have any alternatives.
And to be clear: I will always recommend people to try the official way first. local transpersons that asked me for advice all got a “I can help you get therapy; I can help you to skip therapy and go the indication route; I can reluctantly help you skip indication and go the informed-consent-route without psychotherapists but still medical supervision, even tho I really discourage that unless your transidentity is obvious since many years; but I will not help you to get DIY (without medical supervision) unless you tried the official approaches, sorry”.
But for some people, there is no other option than DIY. Getting a place for therapy can be really hard, and some countries have no alternative routes to get a prescription with medical supervision without going through years of therapy first.
(Btw, I don’t know how the laws are in the UK. I’m from germany. But the problem is the same everywhere. I got lucky to be able to get a prescription, tho; but I know a few people that weren’t)
It’s a relief valve though. As someone who has suffered from unavailable care, black market drugs probably saved my life. I’m not terribly against adults being able to make such decisions on their own judgment.
Guess trans people can just kill themselves until we solved transphobia.
it’s more of a “legal gray area” market
How so? I’m assuming there’s a regulatory body that determines what’s legal and what’s not, and what requires prescription. That this body doesn’t seem to be working well/fast enough seems to be the main issue.
well obviously people who buy black market drugs don’t have a better solution available. use some critical thinking, it won’t hurt you
Well obviously people using black market drugs are taking a huge health risk 'cos, well, it’s a black market… very unreliable due to its very nature. Use some critical thinking, it won’t hurt you.