I’m not getting into the fight right now about whether you need gender dysphoria and hormone replacement therapy (HRT) as the very basis to consider yourself trans (because, to be “trans”, you should have dysphoria). The thing is, right now, with all the clampdowns on freedom of movement, it worries me about people trying to maintain their access if they are taking HRT.
I understant you can subscribe and get your medications/refills in the mail, often predetermined like every 30, 60, 90, or even 180 days. Well…I’ve seen the hassles with credit cards, and having to schedule your life around them and their delivery. I keep my credit card locked (being the victim multiple times of credit card and ID theft) until it’s time to make a purchase. I don’t like having my calendar remind me that my credit card is going to be charged a certain day, but then risk someone running my numbers for unauthorized purchases, only to have to call to cancel…it’s a hassle.
Which is why I don’t mind going once a month or so to my local pharmacy to pick up my meds, and every three months to my doctor, instead of my local blood lab, to get my blood work done. My clinic is Callen-Lorde Community Health Clinic, and I travel two hours one way to get my blood panel updated and HRT prescription renewed. (Yes, even post-op, I still need hormone shots. We don’t have the capacity to make actual testicles for trans men to produce their own testosterone and androgens.)
I know that sounds like quite the trip, and there are doctors who are closer. I just don’t like driving in all that traffic. I take the local train, pay $35 for the ticket and parking, stress-free ride.
NYC is near one of the biggest outbreaks of the coronavirus pandemic going on. My parents are up in their years, and one is immunocompromised due to an autoimmune condition, further worsened by the prescriptions required to keep things in check. So what did I do? I cancelled the appointment but asked for a renewal to be sent to my local pharmacy. I’ll reschedule for sometime later, when the weather will finally be warmer, and I can make a day trip of the visit. Most doctors are willing to make phone consultations and remote lab work, and pharmacies are still open.
(Update 9/1/2020: I’ve since started using Plume, an online service to help trans individuals obtain HRT and connect with other services to transition. Their site will list whether available for your state or not. Not an endorsement.)
Worst for worst, you can always look for services online to refill your prescription.
