Friday, July 25, 2008

Electrolysis

So you wanna get rid of all that ugly facial hair huh? Permanently? Well there's only one way to go at the moment to do that and it's a procedure called electrolysis. What is electrolysis exactly?

Basically it involves sticking a very small (needle small) metal probe into each hair follicle and zapping it with a pulse of electricity so it won't grow back. This is something that works over time as clients to electrologists have to go through hours upon hours of treatment to yield a true result. There are several different kinds of electrolysis some more painful than the others but each have their own effectiveness.

Word to the wise, be prepared to experience uncomfortable to almost unbearable pain. I liken it to some of the tortures that the Spanish Inquisition used. The most sensitive areas are most definitely the lower and upper lip and the neck. Oh god the neck...it's really painful. Sometimes I dread going in fear of having a "trying" session. The important thing though is not to give up. Electrolysis is VERY worthwhile if you are serious about transistioning because eventually you'll never have to worry about shaving period as you won't have any facial hair to worry about.

I was asked by the person who treats me to request a special prescription cream to lessen the impact of the pain. My doctor started me off on 2.5% Lidocaine but I'm now using a 5% Lidocaine ointment. I usually rub it in as much as I can and cover it with saran wrap so it doesn't dry all up. The cream is useless when that happens. There are other creams you can use one of those being EMLA or a compounded cream mixture of Prilocaine and Lidocaine.

How Long Does it Take?

Electrolysis can take a LONG TIME, like years depending on your beard. Everyone is different. I just so happen to be one of the lucky ones, and should be done sooner than later in comparison to someone that's extremely hairy.

How much does it cost?

This is what I get asked the most. The too will also vary depending on who you go see. Right now I pay $104 weekly for one hour and a half session. I've seen cheaper (like $52 per hour) but remember as with anything you'll get what you pay for which is quality and the experience of the person giving you the treatment.

Monday, July 21, 2008

The Hormones

So I thought I might do a little something on what meds I take as a transexual and what effects they have had on my body not only physically but mentally as well. It’s pretty insane at least in my opinion that the natural hormones that the human body produces can affect so much especially how we think and after being on Estrogen for over nine months now I can safely say that I can see a difference in both aspects. Before I go into what hormones can and cannot do I’d like to explain what I am taking just so people not familiar can get an idea what kind of medcines we’re getting into here.

I am currently taking two meds, the first being a testosterone inhibitor called Spironolactone. This medicine comes in a pill form in either 50mg or 100mg dose per pill. My doctor started me off taking 50mg/day and gradually moved me up to 300mg/day. In my opinion, this is the med that makes the biggest difference in the estrogen I am taking in effecting my body.

The other medicine I am taking is an Estrogen based cream called Estradiol. My doctor started me off at 1 gram per day and moved me up to 3 grams which is what I take now. I have them compounded out of state in a pharmacy called Murray Avenue Apothecary, which offers it at a very reasonable price for those even without insurance.

What do the meds do?

Well for starters, they aren’t magic. You won’t turn into a woman overnight nor do they have such a profound effect that they will really change the way you look. Only surgery is capable of doing that. I mean, you’ll change for sure, and will look slightly different but not to the point where you’ll be unrecognizable. The main things Estrogen does is the following:

-Helps with breast development
-They have a psychological effect, you’ll be more emotional
-Changes your skin in making it softer and thinner
-Reduction in body hair
-Changes the way you smell overall
-Can clear up some or all acne
-They cannot reduce facial hair
-They cannot change the tone of your voice

A note about the breast development. More than likely you’ll be smaller than your relatives, I’ve generally accepted the rule that as a Male-to-Female you’ll be one cup smaller than the size of your mother’s breasts, which is pretty accurate if I should say so myself!

Facial hair can only be removed by several treatment methods, which I’ll go over in a future post.

Hormones and the testosterone blockers are more or less affordable if you hold a steady job. I’d say I don’t pay more than about $80 USD a month to finance that part of my transition. When I first started taking hormones it took me at least five months before I could feel any major changes, but the good thing was that every change was a good one. Starting these was probably the best thing I’ve ever done for myself, emotionally I feel much less, well, depressed. I feel that it’s easier to fit into a female persona now than when I wasn’t on the hormones. Physically, my skin has cleared up quite a bit, which is something I’m happy about being a person with fair and sensitive skin as it was. I’ve noticed body hair reduction, heck, I hardly have to shave anymore which is a relief needless to say! My breasts leave something less than to be desired but I can live with it, nothing a little “magic” can fix up.

Wednesday, July 2, 2008

So You Wanna Change Your Name?

This could apply for anyone really that wants to change their legal name, not just for transgendered individuals as there is no real difference for anyone wishing to change their name. Everyone has to go through (pretty much) the same process, I’m sure there are a few wacky places out there that requires you to do more or less but generally this is what you would have to go through.

Where I live there are several steps that must be taken in order to change your name.

  1. Setting up the Appointment. You have to first realize that all name changes are considered business for the probate court so you need to find out where the probate court is in your area and apply for a name change with the secretary or whoever handles name changes there. Name changes are not a free service, you will have some fee that will cost anywhere between $100-130 dollars just to get an appointment scheduled. Your scheduled date is usually made two months from the day you file.
  2. Letting the World Know. This is a pretty common requirement for name changes which requires you to give a copy of your receipt from the court stating you had filed for a name change to have it published in a local newspaper or legal journal for thirty (30) days. Newspapers usually have a service where they will forward a copy of the ad to the Court of which you’ll need on the day of your name change. I HIGHLY recommend that if you are trying to be covert about changing your name that you find a reputable legal journal and have it published there. Not many regular people are going to have a subscription to a legal journal for obvious reasons.
  3. Day of the Name Change. On the day of your name change you need to bring several things with you. Transgendered individuals should have either a signed letter from your therapist and/or medical doctor stating as to why you are seeking a legal name change which should include your date of birth and social security number especially. This is REALLY important I cannot express this enough! If you are acting on your own behalf without the aid of a lawyer this may be your only chance on convincing the magistrate or judge that what you want is perfectly sane. I had a really old, really conservative magistrate take on my case and the first thing he told me straight out was “we can’t allow this.” He had made up his decision beforehand, before meeting me despite the fact I had fulfilled and jumped through every legal hoop I needed to in order to get this done. I flipped the switch in a moment by giving him a letter from my therapist, and he instantly knew I wasn’t some random, crazy person off of the streets wanting to change my name to something that didn’t fit my birth gender. The second thing I needed, which isn’t the case in a few areas, is that I was required to bring a character witness to attest that I was who I was and all that jazz. If you are required to do this it is probably best if you yourself are under thirty years old to bring someone a little older than yourself. I imagine it had helped that my friend seemed to be of working age devoid of all the immaturities brought on by youth. At this point, if you have brought those two things they pretty much can’t deny your name change. Just remember to PLAY THEIR GAME BY THEIR RULES and you will succeed in doing this.
  4. Changing Your Name on your Bank Accounts, IDs, and SS Card. Essentially after you receive documentation from the court detailing your name change that will be all you need to change everything else over. I had zero problems getting my driver’s license, my bank card, my social security card, and bank accounts changed. Every place has different stipulations as to what they need proving your new identity. I would recommend getting your driver’s license changed first. It will help immensely in changing everything else.

I guess that’s all I really have to say about name changes. It’s not hard just time consuming and frankly can be a little scary to go through. Oh yeah…a word to the wise…don’t try to use those legal websites where you have to pay for the forms to change your name. It’s a waste of time and money believe me, and more often than not the forms on those websites are by no means identical to the actual ones the clerk will be filling out in court.