Yeah, it’s hard. Especially if you’re used to a doctor’s office being a safe space. And often the docs aren’t even being bigoted. Overtly bigoted docs don’t tend to get involved in trans care at all. But even well-meaning ones can be ignorant. A few common doctor issues, even among well-meaning docs:

• Not realizing that modern bioidentical estradiol is nothing like the premarin of decades past. It doesn’t have the liver and kidney risks that premarin did.

• Prescribing estradiol valerate on two week intervals (resulting in a week of menopausal E levels.)

• Demanding patients stop estrogen for weeks prior to surgery. (This came out of the premarin days.)

• Prescribing massive doses of T blockers with minimal estrogen doses.

Etc. And if you’re just starting this, another thing to keep in mind is to always see your own blood work levels. So many trans folks end up getting screwed over by their doctors. The doc will say, “your levels are fine!” while you’re actually in the menopausal levels of estrogen. Not all docs are like this, but plenty are. Do NOT simply rely on your doc telling you your levels are good. Insist on seeing the levels yourself.