Starting this process felt huge for me, so I wanted to share what it actually looked like from beginning to end. When I was researching, I craved real experiences—not just medical explanations—so this is me paying that forward.
This is my personal experience getting on hormones, what the appointment was like, and how I felt walking into something that both excited and terrified me.
Watch the companion video here!
Choosing Planned Parenthood & Informed Consent
I went through Planned Parenthood because they offer informed consent. That meant I didn’t need a letter from a therapist, which honestly sped things up a lot. I made my call on February 11th and scheduled my appointment for March 25th.
One thing to know: when you call, it’s a general scheduling line that covers multiple states. You’re not speaking directly to the specific clinic yet, but they’re clear about what you need to bring—either your insurance card or recent pay stubs. If you bring pay stubs, they use a sliding scale, which can make things much more affordable.
The Paperwork & First Impressions
When I arrived, the very first form asked for my preferred name, pronouns, and gender identity. That alone helped calm my nerves. After that, there was confidentiality paperwork and a short wait—about 10 to 15 minutes, though mine was even shorter.
I was nervous walking in. I’m always nervous about appointments in general. But everyone was kind, respectful, and genuinely easy to talk to, which made a massive difference.
Talking with the Nurse and Doctor
The nurse went over general information and gave me pamphlets. I already knew most of it, so we moved pretty quickly. Then came the usual medical stuff: blood pressure, height, weight, and medical history questions. They also asked where I wanted my prescription sent.
They did a quick finger prick to check hemoglobin levels and had me sign the informed consent paperwork. After that, the doctor came in, checked that I understood everything, and answered any questions I had. It felt more like a conversation than an interrogation.
We also talked about options—gel versus injections, intramuscular versus subcutaneous. I chose subcutaneous injections because they keep hormone levels more even, which felt like the right starting point for me when beginning FTM HRT.
Cost, Follow-Ups, and Next Steps
After the appointment, I paid about $50, though that amount depends heavily on income. Before leaving, I scheduled my three-month follow-up, which is required to do blood work and make sure everything is on track.
They sent my prescription to both Walgreens and CVS so I could see which worked out faster. What I ended up with were auto-injector pens—something I hadn’t seen much online. Each box came with four pens, a month’s supply, taken weekly.
Taking My First Testosterone Shot
I won’t lie—I was emotional. The pen was loud, spring-loaded, and intimidating. It took close to half an hour to work up the courage and I definitely teared up. But when it actually happened? It barely hurt.
The anticipation was worse than the shot itself.
That moment—standing there realizing I’d finally started FTM HRT—made all the anxiety worth it.
Final Thoughts
This experience was far less scary than I imagined. The staff were supportive, the process was clear, and I left feeling excited instead of overwhelmed. If you’re nervous like I was, know that it’s okay. You can be scared and still take the step.
Starting FTM HRT wasn’t just a medical decision for me—it was deeply personal. And I’m really glad I did it.
If you’re thinking about starting and have questions, I hope this gave you a clearer picture of what the process can actually look like.
